Patricia O’Brien, United Nations Legal Counsel, addressing the Special Event to Mark the Opening for Signature of the Arms Trade Treaty. [UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe][/caption]The first international treaty regulating arms trade around the world opened for signature at UN headquarters in New York on Monday.

The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) was approved by the General Assembly two months ago by a vote of 154 in favour to three against, North Korea, Iran and Syria.

Twenty three countries abstained in that vote for the treaty which a senior UN official has said will foster peace and security by stopping arms flows to conflict region.

The treaty will come into force 90 days after it has been ratified by 50 nations.

Derrick Mbatha reports.

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