AG/RES. 1749 (XXX-O/00): Inter-American Convention on Transparency in Conventional Weapons Acquisitions

(Resolution adopted at the first plenary session, held on June 5, 2000)

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

HAVING SEEN the Annual Report of the Permanent Council (AG/doc.3848/00) and, in particular, the section referring to the Report of the Chair of the Committee on Hemispheric Security (CP/CSH-307/00);

RECALLING:

The adoption and opening for signature, through resolution AG/RES. 1607 (XXIX-O/99), of the Inter-American Convention on Transparency in Conventional Weapons Acquisitions, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on June 7, 1999; and

That the Heads of State and Government, at the Second Summit of the Americas (Santiago, 1998) pledged to continue promoting transparency in matters related to defense policy, among other aspects, with regard to modernizing the armed forces, comparing military expenditures in the region, and strengthening the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms;

RECOGNIZING that strengthening peace and security in the Hemisphere is an essential purpose of the Organization of American States and that economic and social development and cooperation among its member states are fundamental to its achievement;

EMPHASIZING that the application of confidence- and security-building measures helps to establish a climate conducive to an effective limitation of conventional weapons that makes it possible to devote the largest amount of resources to the economic and social development of member states, one of the essential purposes set forth in the OAS Charter;

REAFFIRMING the Declaration of Santiago and Declaration of San Salvador on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures, which recommended the application, in the manner that is most suitable, of confidence- and security-building measures; and that it is necessary and timely to continue to increase dialogue to build peace, confidence, and security in the region;

RECALLING ALSO its resolution AG/RES. 1179 (XXII-O/92), in which member states agreed to "accept as a guiding principle of regional disarmament, arms control and limitation policies, the requirement to enhance security and stability at the lowest possible levels of forces consistent with defense requirements and international commitments"; "express the commitment of the organization to effectively contribute to the efforts being made at the international level towards the strengthening of peace and security"; "maintain only such military capabilities as are necessary for self-defense and fulfillment of international commitments, consistent with their Constitutions, laws and the principles and purposes of the OAS and UN Charters"; and "exercise restraint in conventional arms transfers with a view to preventing excessive or destabilizing arms build-ups";

CONVINCED that endeavors by countries to promote regional disarmament, taking into account the specific characteristics of each region and in accordance with the principle of undiminished security at the lowest level of armaments, would enhance the security of states and would thus contribute to international peace and security by reducing the risk of regional conflicts;

NOTING WITH SATISFACTION that the Government of Canada deposited its instrument of ratification and that 19 OAS member states have signed the Convention;

RECALLING FURTHER its appeal, in the Convention and in resolution AG/RES. 1500 (XXVII-O/97), to the international community to contribute to regional transparency and confidence in the Americas; and

BEARING IN MIND that increased openness and transparency in the conventional weapons field contributes to building mutual confidence, reducing tensions, and strengthening regional and international peace and security, and may help to decrease the acquisition, production, and transfer of conventional weapons,

RESOLVES:

1. To reaffirm its commitment to the principles of the Inter-American Convention on Transparency in Conventional Weapons Acquisitions.

2. To urge all states that have not already done so to sign and/or ratify the Convention.

3. To request the Secretary General to present a report to the Permanent Council, prior to the thirty-first regular session of the General Assembly, on the status of signatures and ratifications of the Convention.

4. To request the Secretary General to transmit this resolution to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.