Adoption of the Conventional Arms Resolutions by the United Nations General Assembly

December 3, 2009
Japanese

On December 3 (Thu) (December 2 U.S. time), the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Resolution and the Resolution on Small Arms and Light Weapons which were jointly submitted by the Government of Japan along with other co-sponsor nations. The resolutions were adopted by an overwhelming majority.
With the adoption of the ATT Resolution, it has been decided that the discussion process will begin towards the elaboration of the treaty at the United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty in 2012. The Resolution on Small Arms and Light Weapons will promote substantive discussions on possible practical measures by sharing lessons learned in the implementation of practical measures.
Japan will continue to proactively contribute to these discussions relating to conventional arms within the framework of the United Nations.

(Reference 1) The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Resolution

Japan, U.K., Finland, Costa Rica, Argentina, Australia, Kenya

Voting Results: 151 in favor to 1 against (Zimbabwe), with 20 abstentions (including China, India, Pakistan, Russia, and the Arab Countries).

The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is a treaty to establish the principles of regulating the international transfer (export and import, etc.) of conventional weapons. The possible contents of the treaty include such subjects as ensuring that transfer takes place in accordance with the International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law and preventing weapons from entering illegal markets. The scope of the treaty may include conventional weapons including combat aircraft, warships, battle tanks, missiles, and small arms.

(Reference 2)

Japan, South Africa, Colombia

Whole: 180 in favor with none against and no abstentions

Operational Paragraph 4: 177 in favor with none against and 1 abstention (Iran)

Operational Paragraph 15: 176 in favor with none against and 1 abstention (Iran)

Japan first submitted the Draft Resolution on Small Arms and Light Weapons to the 50th session of the United Nations General Assembly (1995) following the words of then U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali who, in January 1995, proposed the “micro-disarmament” of small arms and anti-personnel landmines in “Supplement to an Agenda for Peace.” Following that, Japan has been submitting resolutions that have been adopted every year since the 52nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (1997) up until now.

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