Dookeran signs Arms Trade Treaty for T&T

Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Winston Dookeran, signed the Arms Trade Treaty at the United Nations on Monday morning.

The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the first-ever Treaty on Global Arms Trade in April this year. The Treaty seeks to regulate the $70 billion international business in conventional arms ranging from light weapons to battle tanks and warships.

Trinidad and Tobago was one of the countries lobbying for the Arms Trade Treaty, in particular, the need to remove illegal small arms from the region which have statistically been responsible for the majority of gun-related murders.

Following the signing, Mr. Dookeran said he was proud to participate on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago as the Treaty was discussed at the United Nations for some time.

“We look forward to the implementation of this Treaty as a major step in building the security architecture, for dealing with the issue of crime and national security. It is indeed an honour for us to be here and to join with colleagues, not only from Caricom but the world at large in this historic moment at the United Nations.”

The Treaty was opened for signature on June 3rd and will enter into force 90 days after the 50th signatory ratifies it.

C-News