On 9 April, Paraguay officially ratified the Arms Trade Treaty, becoming the 66th country to do so. Their ratification guarantees them a spot at the First Conference of States parties, to be held in late August. Their commitment to arms control measures was further shown just weeks earlier when they also ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Paraguay has been a longtime supporter of the ATT and signed the landmark agreement during the first month the Treaty was opened for signature.
With consultations, preparatory meetings, and workshops continuing throughout the world on the ATT, momentum for the lifesaving instrument has never been higher. Since the last official meeting on the ATT was held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, four countries have deposited their instruments of ratification: Ivory Coast, Belize, Chad, and Paraguay.
Control Arms welcomes the steps that each of these governments are taking in an effort to save lives and encourages all States who have not done so to follow suit and ratify or accede to the ATT.
