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Chairperson,
For over a century now, the international community has made several efforts to regulate conventional armaments, before, between and after the First and Second World Wars- in Asia, Europe and elsewhere. Within the United Nations, several resolutions, guidelines, Programme of Action and instruments have been adopted to address various facets of these weapons.
However, given the complex interplay of strategic, political, commercial and security interest of States and other actors, global as well as regional initiatives to control and regulate these arms have so far been only partially successful.
There are other factors that inhibit progress towards meaningful regulation of these armaments. These include a) pursuit of a partial approach i.e. attempts to separate motivations for arms production from the controls of their trade and transfer; b) an exclusive focus on managing the effects of trade in arms, without adequately addressing the causes that propel such a trade in the first place; c) lack of faithful implementation of existing regional or national commitments and obligations.
As a result, these weapons continue to fuel conflicts, destabilize states and societies, inflicting enormous pain and suffering to humanity.
Chairperson,
Several worrying trends on the conventional weapons horizon are emerging.
First,global military expenditures, after a brief hiatus of post-cold war years, are rising again. The global spending on conventional weapons has increased fifty percent in the last decade. Reportedly, the present expenditure on international trade in conventional arms has crossed the massive amount of US$ 1.5 trillion. Ironically, while the total budget of the United Nations is around 3 % of world’s military expenditure, around 33 times more is being spent on fuelling and exacerbating conflicts than preventing it.
Two,the growing military expenditure is accompanied by increasing sophistication in the conventional weaponry and technology. These armaments and their means of development are being traded in huge quantities among the ‘like-minded’ or exported to those who have the financial means to purchase them. Arms sellers often encourage both sides in a conflict to buy more such weapons. The normative and legal force of their national and regional arms transfer policies seems to give way for irresistible profits that trade in conventional arms brings to their exchequers.;
Three,developing countries are the primary recipients of the total value of international arms transfer agreements. These countries are the “favored” destination for arms sales. New markets are being explored, created and sought after, with little regard to the destabilizing impact on regional security and stability. The result is a series of regional arms races mostly in volatile parts of the world including non-state actors wreaking havoc on civilian populations. While trying to facilitate talks to ease tensions, senior officials of the selling nations have used such occasions to lobby for sale of sophisticated military equipment produced by their national manufacturers. These officials market their weapons, even as they seek to mediate peace;
Four,ironically the weapons that propel and sustain conflicts come from areas that enjoy peace and stability. On the other hand, the demand for weapons emanates from either insecurity or ambition. Some states are seeking to build up their national armed forces on land, in the air, and at the sea, with the declared objective of emerging as a global power, often with the self-proclaimed intent to dominate their own region. Other states affected by the imbalance are then obliged to acquire weapons to ensure a minimum capability to deter aggression and domination.
Chairperson,
Pakistan voted in favour of the General Assembly resolution that adopted the Arms Trade Treaty. We consider the ATT as a first step towards regulating trade and transfer of conventional weapons and note its entry into force. Even as we continue our national review of the treaty, we believe that ATT’s success, effectiveness and universality will be assessed on its non-discriminatory implementation in particular its criteria and strict adherence by its State Parties to the treaty principles.
The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is not an arms control or a disarmament treaty. This treaty is about responsible arms trade. It is about reducing human suffering and saving human lives. Yet, the present death and destruction caused by the profit driven supply and brutal use of conventional weapons in several parts of Africa, Middle East, Asia and elsewhere is self-evident. Early resolution of issues such as the absence of definitions and lack of accountability of exporters would be vital in making the ATT effective. The rhetoric and reality would need to be reconciled for ATT to gain global public trust and ownership.
Pakistan remains concerned over the growing transfers of conventional armaments especially in volatile regions that are inconsistent with the imperatives of maintaining peace, security and stability. The policy of dual standards towards South Asia, based on narrow strategic, political and commercial considerations, must be eschewed.
Chairperson,
The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons has caused havoc all around the world, abetting crime, terrorist activities, narcotics trafficking and sadly, deaths and disabilities of civilians including women and children. The easy availability of these arms is being facilitated inter alia by lack of or weak regulatory controls, excessive production, transfers and sale motivated by profits and politics.
Pakistan values the contribution made by the UN Programme of Action, the International Tracing Instrument and the Protocol on Firearms in addressing the challenges arising from misuse or unauthorized use of these weapons. Pakistan welcomes the revival of consensus as manifested by successful outcome of the 2nd SALW Review Conference. International Assistance and Cooperation remains central to the effective implementation of international mechanisms on SALW.
Pakistan has developed the necessary legislative, regulatory, enforcement and institutional mechanisms to address the range of issues relating to conventional arms including small arms and light weapons. An Inter-Ministerial Group addresses these issues in an integrated manner. Policy guidelines on the export of conventional arms are in place as also a national evaluation mechanism to regulate trade in these arms. We are taking additional measures to strengthen the enforcement regime, which covers imports and licensing.
Chairperson,
The development of new types of weapons, such as Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS) remains a source of concern for international community. These weapon systems are by nature unethical, because there is no longer a human in the loop and the power to make life and death decisions are delegated to machines which inherently lack compassion and intuition.
The introduction of LAWS would therefore be illegal, unethical, inhumane and unaccountable as well as destabilizing for international peace and security with grave consequences. Therefore, their further development and use must be pre-emptively banned, and the states currently developing such weapons should place an immediate moratorium on their production and use.
Chairperson,
Pakistan is a party to the CCW and all of its five Protocols including the Amended Protocol-II. The CCW has made significant progress to make this treaty an indispensible element of contemporary humanitarian, disarmament and arms control machinery, as well as a forum to consider how best to protect both civilians and soldiers from the effect of such weapons.
The delicate balance of these instruments – to minimize human suffering without sacrificing the legitimate security interests of states – must be maintained. The human suffering resulting from the indiscriminate use of landmines can be minimized if maximum number of states commit themselves to the successful implementation of CCW’s Amended Protocol-II. Similarly, the CCW provides an ideal platform to deal with the subject of cluster munitions since it harmonizes the genuine humanitarian concerns with the security imperatives of states. CCW provides the most appropriate forum for addressing the issue of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in a comprehensive and balanced manner.
Development of new technologies has the potential to protect civilians against indiscriminate effects of mines. Such technologies can be of immense benefit in preventing the injurious, indiscriminate and lethal effects of mines. Sharing of know-how with other states particularly by those states in possession of such technologies will go a long way in minimizing the humanitarian impact of mines, booby-traps and other devices. Indeed the transfer and sharing of technology and experience, within the framework of this Protocol, is an important step towards achieving our common objectives and goals.
Pakistan remains in full compliance with the provisions of Amended Protocol II. The Government of Pakistan has fully incorporated, at all levels, the requirements mandated by the technical annex of Amended Protocol-II. Pakistan has also made contribution to the de-mining efforts as one of the largest contributor to UN peace keeping operations. We will continue to support global demining efforts.
I thank you, Chairperson.