The world geopolitical environment is marked by distrust and disrespect for the international order, which leads to the escalation of regional conflicts and a new arms race, Romanian Foreign minister Luminita Odobescu on Monday told the Conference of States Parties (CSP10) to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in Geneva that runs through Friday under the Romanian presidency.

„These challenges require a new commitment from the states parties for the treaty to achieve its purpose and have a significant impact on international security. The goal is more important than ever: to reduce people’s suffering and to contribute to international and regional peace, security and stability,” Odobescu is quoted as saying in a press statement released by the Romanian Foreign Ministry (MAE) on Monday.

In her opening remarks, Odobescu mentioned the 10th anniversary of the Arms Trade Treaty, underlining its essential role in the current geopolitical context, as well as the importance of cooperation among all the actors involved in reducing human suffering, promoting peace, security and international stability. She also pointed to the priorities of the Romanian Presidency of CSP10 regarding the adoption of a pragmatic and structured strategy of the efforts to universalise the treaty, as well as a new orientation in the activity of the ATT focused on addressing practical aspects of implementation.

Romania took over the CSP10 presidency on August 25, 2023, which it holds throughout August 23, 2024, through the Permanent Representative of Romania to the United Nations Office in Geneva and international organisations based in Switzerland Razvan Rusu. Under its CSP10 presidency, Romania has encouraged dynamising dialogue among the party states on the effective implementation of the treaty, universalisation activities and measures to increase the transparency of exports and imports of conventional arms. At the same time, the priorities of the Romanian presidency included holding debates on the role of inter-institutional cooperation in the implementation of the ATT provisions.

AGERPRES