UN Arms Trade Treaty opens for signature Monday

Delegates to the United Nations General Assembly April 2, 2013 after passing the first UN treaty regulating the international arms trade. AFP FILE PHOTO

UNITED NATIONS — The first international treaty regulating the multibillion-dollar global arms trade opens for signature Monday with key arms sellers and buyers expected to be among several dozen nations that sign.

The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the treaty on April 2. It will not control the domestic use of weapons in any country, but it will require countries that ratify it to establish national regulations to control the transfer of conventional arms and components and to regulate arms brokers.

What impact it will have in curbing the estimated $60 billion global arms trade remains to be seen. The landmark U.N. treaty will take effect after 50 countries ratify it.

Supporters have organized a high-level signing ceremony at the United Nations on Monday which is expected to include dozens of countries.