With less than one month remaining until the Arms Trade Treaty signing ceremony, members of the Control Arms coalition are mobilizing around the globe to call on states to publicly announce their intention to sign. The ceremony will take place on 3 June at the United Nations in New York and Control Arms is hopeful that most of the 156 governments who voted in favour of the Treaty will sign it.
Yesterday, the coalition issued an Action Alert to its membership. Over the next four weeks, campaigners will meet with governments, connect with media, and get online as part of the coalition’s drive to rally public and political support for the Treaty. Members in several countries are planning events and activities during this time while in New York plans are getting underway for the ceremony itself.
The event on 3 June will be a historic and symbolic moment as well as an excellent time to get a high number of signatories at one time to help to ensure swift entry into force. It is also an opportunity for States to deliver strong interpretative statements and establish high customary norms.
Control Arms calls on all states to show leadership and prove their commitment by signing the treaty when it opens for signature on June 3.