Statement by

H.E. Mr. Sek Wannamethee

Ambassador and Permanent Representative

The Third Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)

General Debate (cont’d)

12 September 2017, Geneva

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Mr. President,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

At the outset, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government, please allow me to express our sincere appreciation to H.E. Ambassador Klaus Korhonen of Finland, the President for the Third Session of the Conference of the States Parties, for his leadership and dedication to the Arms Trade Treaty. Our appreciation also extends to the ATT Secretariat for their ongoing and invaluable support rendered to all States to bring about the success of this Conference.

 

 

Mr. President,

 

Thailand firmly adheres to the disarmament principles and has worked our way towards achieving its objectives. The issues of illicit trade, proliferation, and trafficking of conventional arms continue to be serious threats towards the establishment and maintenance of peace and security, with their inextricable links to transnational crimes, drug trafficking, terrorism, and human rights violations. They are also catalysts for conflicts, violence, and instability. In light of the urgent need to tackle these cross-boundary challenges, Thailand attaches importance to international mechanisms for curbing the illicit conventional arms flow, setting necessary norms and practices, and promoting responsible actions on this vital security agenda and, therefore, has become a strong advocate to many international instruments, including the ATT, the Mine Ban Convention, and the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.

 

The adoption of the ATT in 2013 is a crucial milestone in combating the illegal arms trade and transfer. The ATT brings to the table a more comprehensive control regime for conventional arms proliferation, bridging the gaps among existing international instruments. Nonetheless, Thailand believes that the ATT should not be looked at in isolation. Multilateral frameworks and instruments are all intertwined and complementary in nature; effective control of the illicit arms trade would be achieved when relevant instruments are all together taken into consideration.

 

 

 

 

Mr. President,

 

As a signatory state, Thailand is in full support of the Treaty and its principles and stands ready to constructively contribute and engage in the work of the Treaty. We continue to steadfastly move forward with our internal process to ratify the Treaty. Inter-agency consultations are ongoing to review the required obligations and prepare the procedures necessary to ensure that Thailand can fully and effectively implement all Treaty obligations.

 

However, effective implementation of the Treaty, as well as other multilateral instruments on disarmament, cannot be achieved by one State alone, especially when illicit activities of conventional arms have become transnational in nature. Therefore, Thailand believes that universalization of the ATT is central to the success of the Treaty and must be placed high on the agenda. These universalization efforts should also take into account regional diversities in contexts and challenges to better help expedite the process of ratification and accession. 

 

Furthermore, Thailand views that successful implementation of the Treaty requires commitment and collaboration among States and stakeholders. Transparency is key and should be given due attention when fulfilling the Treaty’s obligations. The ATT Secretariat also plays a crucial role in outreaching and capacity building, especially in the provision of technical resources to States where assistance is required. The establishment of the ATT Voluntary Trust Fund in 2016 is a timely response to that matter. Thailand believes that the said fund would significantly facilitate the ratification and implementation of the Treaty.

 

 

Mr. President,

 

Thailand wishes to reaffirm our full commitment on the ATT and will remain actively and constructively engaged on all fronts to ensure that the issues of illicit trade in conventional arms and their diversions are adequately addressed and appropriately dealt with.

 

Thank you.