The United Nations First Committee on disarmament voted overwhelmingly on Friday 31 October to move forward with work on an Arms Trade Treaty. 147 states (including two after the electronic board closed) voted Yes to an Open-Ended Working Group which will meet for a maximum of six sessions, beginning in early 2009. Only Zimbabwe and the US voted against. There were 18 abstentions, including China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Israel and a number of Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt.

The Control Arms campaign welcomed the vote, but called for more urgency from states in moving the process forward. Control Arms is also urging states to aim for a strong Treaty with human rights and sustainable development at its heart.

Mark Marge, IANSA UN Liaison Officer in New York said: “This vote is a victory for the millions of campaigners in countries around the world. But we cannot afford to rest. All those against the misuse of arms will continue to pressure their governments to move quickly to implement a strong, legally binding treaty.”

An overwhelming majority of States also supported the small arms ‘omnibus’ resolution at First Committee: 166 states voted in favour, with only the US against. This resolution sets the schedule of UN small arms meetings for the next 6 years: a Biennial Meeting of States in 2010, an expert meeting in 2011 and a Review Conference in 2012.

Click here to read highlights of the First Committee of the UN General Assembly, which addresses disarmament and international security.

Click here to see the Control Arms press release.