Explanation of Vote of the Islamic Republic of Iran

On Draft Resolution L.43: “The illicit trade in small arms and

light weapons in all its aspects”

First Committee, UNGA 76

New York, 1 November 2021

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Mr. Chairman,

I have taken the floor to explain the position of my delegation regarding the draft resolution on “The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects” as contained in document L.43.

The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the goals pursued by the UN PoA on SALWs could not be achieved until and unless the needed strong political will, as well as the means of implantation, could be secured.

Regrettably, the outcome document of BMS7 contains provisions including the establishment of an open-ended expert group that are not compatible with the mandate and powers of the BMS as envisaged in the PoA. In fact, the PoA gives such authority only the review conference.  Therefore, I would like to emphasize that Iran’s participation in the consensus or its yes voting does not imply it agrees with OP.8 or any other paragraph(s) that my delegation has had reservations about them.

With a constructive approach during the informal consultations, my delegation suggested utilizing language in the draft resolution that can garner consensus. Yet, its final version has repeatedly rewritten the paragraphs of BMS 7 outcome document. In fact, repeating those paragraphs and highlighting controversial issues are not interpreted as productive and to the extent that it repeats those controversial elements, the consensus will be further away.  We strongly believe that the language used to recognize and endorse the outcome document of BMS7 does not reflect the facts witnessed in July 2021. The outcome document was a voted document but the language chosen in the draft resolution cannot echo this fact and therefore this should be considered and acted upon very seriously.