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At the thematic debate on conventional weapons of the UN General Assembly First Committee, Lithuania expressed its full support to the proposal to convene the Final Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty in March, which would finalise and adopt this important instrument.

United Nations General Assembly

67th session

First Committee

Statement by the Republic of Lithuania

Thematic discussion on Conventional Weapons

24 October 2012, New York

Mr.  Chairman,

Lithuania aligns itself with the statement made by the European Union. In addition, let me address some points of particular importance to Lithuania.

Over the past twelve months, we have witnessed a truly intensive season in the area of conventional disarmament. The Diplomatic Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty, the Review Conference of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons are just a few events that have focused the attention of the global disarmament community. Lithuania has from the outset supported the negotiations of the Arms Trade Treaty.

We are convinced that only a legally binding instrument that sets the highest international standards for the transfers of conventional weapons can prevent them from being used in breach of the international humanitarian law and human rights and threatening international, regional and national security.

While Lithuania welcomes the progress achieved at the ATT Conference last July, we are disappointed that no agreement was reached on the final text. We fully support the proposal of the core-group to convene the Final conference in March, which would finalise and adopt the Treaty on the basis of 26 July draft text. We have cosponsored the relevant resolution and encourage other countries to do so.

Mr. Chairman,

Illegal trade and accumulation of small arms and light weapons continue to be a major cause of violence, suffering and impediment to development. Lithuania considers the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons as the central multilateral framework addressing the scourge of these weapons.

Lithuania welcomes the adoption by the UN Programme of Action on SALW Review Conference of its outcome document by consensus. The agreement on an operational follow-up mechanism, enhancement of regional cooperation, further progress on marking and tracing, improvement of matching needs with resources remain the issues of particular importance to us.

As we proceed, we should look at ways of adapting the PoA to new challenges. In particular, we need to explore the gender aspect of armed violence fuelled by illicit trade, as it is crucial in understanding the different ways that men, women, and children engage and are affected by it.

Just over two years after its entry into force, the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) is already having a substantial humanitarian impact, as the parties to the Convention are clearing contaminated land, destroying stockpiles and implementing victim assistance programmes.

Lithuania welcomes the growing number of ratifications and accessions to the Convention which now stands at 77 countries. Seven new countries have joined this year, but in order for the Convention to become universal, we must put more effort in keeping the momentum.

With respect to Anti-Personnel Landmine Ban Treaty, Lithuania remains convinced that the essential responsibility of the implementation of the Convention lies with a relevant State Party. However, in the case of the most affected countries, assistance from other stakeholders is vital. We call on the mine action community to further assist the affected States to overcome their particular challenges, such as destroying PFM–type mines by Ukraine and Belarus in an effective and environmentally sustainable way.

Mr. Chairman,

As fora and instruments related to the conventional weapons are becoming more numerous and complex, there is a clear need for a more integrated approach, increased coherence and cooperation between their respective memberships, secretariats, Implementation Support Units, and other stakeholders.

Confidence and security building measures remain an important contribution to overall peace and security situation and creating trust between countries. We find it deeply worrying that the number of Member States that submit their annual reports to the UN Register of Conventional Arms and Report on Military Expenditures has fallen sharply this year. Lithuania has been providing its information regularly and calls on all States to submit their annual reports and to include, on a voluntary basis, information on the transfers of SALW.

Finally, let me stress the importance of  CSBMs at a regional level. Lithuania would like to underline the use of the innovative CSBMs toolbox developed in the framework of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which could also be considered as an inspiration for other regional initiatives.

Thank you.