Statement by Atty. Teklo Maxwell Grigsby, II on behalf of the Republic of Liberia on the very essential Agenda Item No. 10, captioned International Cooperation and Assistance as contained in Article 16 of the Arms Trade Treaty.

Mr. President,

Liberia aligns itself with the Statement of the African Group as clearly articulated by Niger and in its national capacity congratulates the Chairperson of the Voluntary Trust Find (VTF) Selection Committee for the report to the Conference and herein informs the conference that Liberia is finalizing arrangements to meet all of its financial obligations to the conference as contained in article 16 of the Arms Trade Treaty.

The Government of Liberia supports the full payments of financial obligations to the conference and believes it’s one of the most appropriate ways of demonstrating commitment to the implementation of the treaty.

Liberia finds it inconceivable that state parties that are canvassing for the universalization of the Treaty are in the forefront of insisting that financial uprightness becomes a criteria and or perquisite for selection by the Voluntary Trust Fund (VTF).

Are the Countries leading the argument that payment of financial obligations as a pre-condition for International Cooperation and Assistance also implying that states that have not acceded to or ratified the treaty will not be supported for domestication?

Liberia recommends that financial obligation be applied at the stage of awarding grant after selection by the VTF selection committee and not as a pre-condition for selection by the committee.

I thank you.