GENEVA, 16 March 2021 – Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Evan P. Garcia reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in a meeting with 7th Conference of ATT States Parties (CSP) President-designate Lansana Gberie today.
Ambassador Gberie, who also serves as Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Garcia to personally deliver a letter from Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio for President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
The said letter conveys Sierra Leone’s request for the Philippines to ratify the treaty, noting that the Philippines “will make an important contribution to ending the illicit trade of arms and realizing the full potential of the ATT.”
In response, Ambassador Garcia informed Ambassador Gberie that the Philippines is currently completing its domestic ratification process for the ATT. The Philippine envoy further assured the CSP president that Manila remains fully committed to the ATT and to its full and effective implementation.
The Philippines has staunchly and consistently supported the ATT since it was first tabled before the First Committee of the General Assembly in 2006, and actively participated in its negotiation. The Philippines became the first Southeast Asian country to sign the treaty in 2013, and has been consistently participating in CSPs as an observer.
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