The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murray McCully, announced that New Zealand will be among the initial signatories of the Arms Trade Treaty when it opens for signature next Monday 3 June in New York.
“This Treaty is a landmark step in the international community’s efforts to mitigate the serious security and humanitarian consequences of the illicit arms trade,” Mr. McCully said in a press statement. “We intend to be an active treaty partner, encouraging and assisting interested countries with ratification and implementation.
New Zealand has been very supportive of the Treaty since the process began in 2006 and has worked closely with delegations that have suffered the consequences of the illicit trade of weapons firsthand.