Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Thank you, President.
New Zealand thanks the Chair and Facilitators of this Working Group for their work and dedication this year. They have prepared a clear and comprehensive report for this Conference.
New Zealand remains firmly committed to the effective implementation of the ATT. As we have noted previously, the Treaty's humanitarian and security objectives can only be realised through our joint efforts in its full and effective implementation.
We continue to see value in States Parties sharing practical experiences in implementing the ATT, including in regard to national control systems, comprehensive risk assessments and transparent reporting, as important confidence-building measures.
For our part, New Zealand’s national control system regulates the export of ‘strategic goods’. Goods classed as such, and therefore subject to New Zealand’s export controls regime, include all conventional arms, ammunitions and related parts and components within the scope of the ATT. Various other goods are also subject to the regime. New Zealand’s export controls team conducts risk assessments guided by six criteria to determine the granting of permits before strategic goods can be exported from New Zealand. The ATT is one of the treaties that was specifically considered in the design of these criteria, to ensure that the export controls regime gives effect to New Zealand’s legal obligations. Applications to export goods in violation of those legal obligations, including those under the ATT, will be declined. We note that both the strategic goods list and the six criteria are publicly available.
New Zealand also welcomes continued discussion of emerging challenges and longstanding issues through the Working Group on Effective Treaty Implementation, including in relation to maritime security.
We believe sharing insights through the ATT is one of the practical ways we can all support effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty and deliver on its object and purpose.
Thank you.