DFA Commemorates  Entry Into Force of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) for the Philippines

23 June 2022, PASAY CITY - The Department of Foreign Affairs commemorates the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) for the Philippines on 22 June 2022.

The Philippines signed the treaty on 25 September 2013, the first country in Southeast Asia to do so. With the Philippine deposit of the instrument of ratification on 24 March 2022, the treaty will enter into force today, 22 June 2022, with an initial reporting obligation due on 21 June 2023.

The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) was adopted by the UN General Assembly to regulate international trade in conventional arms by establishing the highest international standards and to prevent and eradicate illicit trade and diversion of conventional arms.

As a State Party to the ATT, the Philippines supports efforts to address unregulated transfers of conventional arms and their illicit diversion to non-state actors, which pose a grave threat to global peace and security.

The Philippines supports the thrust of the ATT to address the security, social, economic and humanitarian consequences of the illicit and unregulated trade in conventional arms and their illicit diversion to non-state actors, which pose a grave threat to global peace and security.

Currently, the ATT has 111 States Parties, and 30 Signatory States.