Barbados has ratified the International Arms Trade Treaty aimed at preventing the illicit trade in conventional arms.

Permanent Representative of Barbados to the United Nations, Keith Marshall, deposited Barbados??? instrument of ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty at the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs last Wednesday, officially making Barbados a State Party.

The Arms Trade Treaty is the first global treaty which establishes legally binding standards to regulate the international trade in conventional arms.

It also aims to prevent and eradicate the illicit trade in conventional arms and prevent their diversion. The Treaty entered into force on December 24 2014, following its ratification by 50 states.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade: ???Given the devastating impacts of illicit small arms and light weapons and their ammunition in??the Caribbean region, Barbados joined fellow CARICOM countries in negotiating for a robust treaty which would include regulation of the trade in small arms, light weapons, their ammunition, parts and components.???

Eleven of the 14 Member States of CARICOM are now States Party to the treaty.

kim.ramsay-moore@barbados.gov.bb

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