U.N. Overwhelmingly Approves First-Ever Global Arms Trade Treaty

The U.N. General Assembly votes to adopt a draft treaty to regulate the global trade in conventional arms.

UNITED NATIONS (APRIL 2, 2013)  (UNTV) -  The 193-nation U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday (April 2) overwhelmingly approved the first-ever treaty on global arms trade that seeks to regulate the 70 billion U.S. dollar international trade in conventional arms ranging from light weapons to battle tanks and warships.

There were 154 votes in favor, three against and 23 abstentions.Iran, Syria and North Korea last week prevented a treaty drafting conference at U.N. headquarters from reaching the required consensus to adopt the treaty. That left delegations that support it no choice but to turn to the General Assembly to adopt it.