29 January 2016

Arms Control a priority for the Pacific

Labour’s Pacific Island Affairs spokesperson Su’a William Sio and Chair of New Zealand’s Parliamentarians for Global Action says his priority will be getting the Pacific to sign up to the Arms Trade Treaty after being appointed by the PGA as a Programme Co-Convenor for Peace and Democracy.

“I’m honoured with my new appointment and I will be looking for opportunities to work closely with MPs for the Pacific Island nations and their parliaments to promote practical ways to promote peace, democracy and the rule of law in our region.

“One of the immediate ways forward is for all Pacific Island nations to ratify the Arms Trade Treaty. All island nations have a vested interest in ensuring that the import and export of arms is regulated and controlled.

“We also know that armed violence and insecurity has a detrimental effect on development and investment in our region, especially when all of us are committed and working so hard on the Sustainable Development Goals for the sake of our communities.

“This new role also aligns with my new spokesperson role for Pacific climate change issues.

“All Pacific democracies are under threat from illegal arms dealers and unscrupulous governments looking for new markets to trade in arms; and our region as a whole is also under threat from the effects of climate change. We all have to work together to protect our future generations, “ says Su’a William Sio.

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