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Statement by Andrew Goledzinowski, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations Open-ended working group towards an arms trade treaty: establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms on the Goals and objectives of a feasible Arms Trade Treaty
2 March 2009
(As delivered)
Mr Chairman
The Australian Government places a high priority on preventing the illicit trade in not only small arms, but all conventional weapons. To this end Australia is proud to be one of the original co-authors of UN General Assembly resolution 61/89. We are equally proud to have continued our role as a co-author for resolution 63/240.
Australia was a member of the Group of Governmental Experts which met last year to examine the scope, parameters and feasibility of an Arms Trade Treaty. We welcome the consensus report of the Group of Governmental Experts, including the recommendations that states ensure their national systems and internal controls are of the highest possible standards…
…and the recommendation for further consideration of this issue in the UN framework. Credit here, too, belongs to you Mr Chairman, as Chair of the Group of Governmental Experts.
We look forward to working with you in this working group and I can assure you my delegation stands ready to cooperate with you fully in achieving progress.
Mr Chairman
An Arms Trade Treaty is greatly needed if we are to arrest the irresponsible and illicit transfer of conventional arms and components. These transfers are a matter of grave and pressing concern, impacting directly on international and regional peace and security, terrorism and crime, and sustainable development. They fuel conflicts and lawlessness, cost lives, cause injury and are a destabilizing influence on societies and economies.
The principles of responsible transfer of arms are not new and are reflected in a number of existing international instruments. In Australia’s view the Arms Trade Treaty should build on existing international law and codify existing best practices in responsible transfers to counter these impacts.
A legally binding, multilateral treaty could bring much needed transparency and accountability; and prevent human rights abuse, breaches of international humanitarian law, transfers to terrorists and the destabilizing accumulation of arms.
While doing this, a well-crafted Arms Trade Treaty would also provide greater assurance for legitimate trade by raising barriers against illicit proliferation. It would not restrict any States’ legitimate interests in producing, transferring or acquiring conventional arms.
Mr Chairman
The two times this issue has been before the General Assembly it has enjoyed the support of a resounding majority of states. This is an encouraging indication of heightened international willingness to address the irresponsible or illicit transfer of arms and its consequences. The challenge for us all is to channel that willingness into effective outcomes and practical measures.
This working group provides us with the opportunity to do just that. I look forward to working with my distinguished colleagues to achieve this.
Thankyou Mr Chairman