(VOVWORLD) -The 4th session of the working group on conventional ammunition is taking place in New York until Friday, attended by representatives of 193 UN members and international organizations.
 Minister Counselor Le Thi Minh Thoa (middle), Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN. (Photo: VOV's correspondent in the US) |
Addressing the session, Minister Counselor Le Thi Minh Thoa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, said any framework for conventional ammunition management must be consistent with fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter and ensure the legitimate rights and interests of all countries in the production, possession, purchase, and transfer of weapons and ammunition for defense-security purposes.
Thoa said the framework should also take advantage of existing munitions-related mechanisms such as the Small Arms Action Program and the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Cooperation with developing countries in capacity building, technology transfer, and resource support are critical in ensuring the safe management of ammunition.
The working group was established on 24 December 2021 pursuant to UN General Assembly resolution 76/233 to elaborate a set of political commitments as a new global framework to address existing gaps in ammunition management.