Trinidad and Tobago comes from a region that has become a significant casualt...

Trinidad and Tobago comes from a region that has become a significant casualty in the diversion of small arms and light weapons, which has led to an increase in armed violence in our country. That places a tremendous burden on women in our society — economically, socially and psychologically — as they are forced to cope with the numerous consequences. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has therefore formulated a number of initiatives to address the problem. However, since the problem involves the entire international community, we believe that a systematic approach is required to appropriately address the challenges posed by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. The problem clearly requires a coordinated international response. In that regard, Trinidad and Tobago, a strong advocate for a robust and legally binding arms trade treaty, was disappointed by the failure of the United Nations to adopt such a text earlier this year. Nevertheless, we remain hopeful that Member States can reach agreement on that fundamental instrument and that it will be successfully adopted at the United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty to be held in March 2013.