A group of non-proliferation experts from Africa, China and the European Union (EU) have urged UN member countries to speed implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

The ATT, adopted by the UN General Assembly on April 2, has been signed by 113 countries, including the United States, and ratified by seven, the nine-member Africa-China-EU Expert Working Group (EWG) on Conventional Arms said in a joint statement on Monday.

"The International community must build on this and continue to pursue rapid entry-into-force and full implementation," they said.

The ATT is the first such multilateral treaty. It aims to create a level playing field for the international arms trade by requiring all states to establish and abide by common standards in the international transfer of conventional arms. It will enter into force 90 days after 50 countries deposit their instruments of ratification with the UN.

"It prohibits states from transferring arms when they know they would be used to commit genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and acts of terrorism," the experts said.

"It also requires states to prevent conventional weapons being diverted to the illicit market," they said.

Though the treaty would not reverse history in ongoing or recent conflicts, it could help prevent arms fuelling future conflicts, acts of terrorism, transnational organized crime and violations of international law if implemented, the EWG said.

Created in 2012, the EWG's mandate is to identify and make practical policy recommendations on how EU, China and African governments can cooperate on matters related to conventional arms control. Endi

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