"On 28 October the United Nations General Assembly 1st Committee Resolution on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) tabled by the UK, Argentina, Australia, Costa Rica, Finland, Japan and Kenya was adopted, this resolution sets out the negotiation framework culminating in a UN Conference in 2010. 

Read how talks are progressing in real time by following the UK’s ATT lead negotiator Ambassador John Duncan’s twitter feed.

The State Department also today released a formal statement by US Foreign Minister Hilary Rodham Clinton supporting the ATT.  Read the full statement here.  In response the UK Foreign Minister David Miliband released the following statement:

'Secretary of State Clinton's announcement that the United States will give its full support to securing a strong Arms Trade Treaty is excellent news.  For many years we have sought an active US partner in the drive for a strong Arms Trade Treaty.  Now for the first time, we have one.  By stopping the flow of unregulated weapons, a treaty would make a real difference to the millions of people around the world whose lives are blighted by armed conflict, and also to peacekeepers who are facing ever increasing threats from illicitly traded weapons.  

We are ready to work with Secretary Clinton as part of a UN process that moves ahead with a clearly defined timetable, and in an inclusive consensual way.  Consensus is not and will not be a route to stalemate.  Active US engagement gives us the maximum chance of ensuring we achieve a strong and robust treaty that is implemented by all.  The broad alliance of NGOs, industry and our international partners, has been crucial in taking forward the ATT and we must continue to work together to secure a treaty that will contain the highest standards of arms export controls.'

The UK encourages all other countries to show their support for ATT by engaging in talks on and voting in favour of this latest draft resolution.

Click here for more on ATT.