Preamble

WE, [INSERT STATE HERE]

Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

Noting the already perilous condition of international affairs.

Recalling Article 26 of the Charter of the United Nations which seeks to promote the establishment and maintenance of international peace and security with the least diversion for armaments of the world’s human and economic resources,

Acknowledging that peace and security, development and human rights are pillars of the United Nations system and foundations for collective security and recognizing that development, peace and security and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing as implemented in the Sustainable Development Goals,

Acknowledging also the need to reduce human suffering during the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, by promoting cooperation, transparency and responsible action by States Parties to eradicate the Covid-19 coronavirus,

Observing increases in domestic, communal and international violence and confrontation caused by reactions to Covid-19,

Cognizant that the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons cannot be adequately addressed, transcend national borders, pose grave implications for human survival, the environment, socio-economic development, the global economy, food security and the health of current and future generations, and have a disproportionate impact on women and girls, including as a result of ionizing radiation,

Recognizing that military modernization, procurement and spending budgets of States are vastly disproportionate with contemporary sources of national and human insecurity, which include the Covid-19 pandemic,

Recognizing also the potential of diverting military modernization, procurement and spending budgets to enable efforts towards the delay, containment and eradication of the Covid-19 coronavirus,

Convinced of the necessity to sustain and strengthen existing weapons control agreements and Treaties,

Convinced that a moratorium by States on the production and trade of weapons is a necessary measure in complementing the aforementioned efforts towards the delay, containment and eradication of the Covid-19 coronavirus,

Acknowledging that a moratorium on production and trade of weapons and preventing their diversion should not hamper international cooperation and legitimate trade in materiel, equipment and technology for peaceful purposes,

Mindful of the lawful ownership, and use of certain conventional arms for recreational, cultural, historical, and sporting activities, where such ownership and use are permitted or protected by law,

Recognizing the voluntary and active role that civil society, including nongovernmental organizations, and industry, can play in supporting of the object and purpose of this Moratorium, and in supporting its implementation,

Emphasizing the desirability of achieving universal adherence to this Moratorium,

1. Solemnly declare a Moratorium on the production and trade of weapons which shall take effect from the [DATE – First day of April, 2020] for a period of One (1) Year;
2. Hereby solicit the assistance of the United Nations and the international community in implementing the Moratorium;
3. Declare that this Moratorium shall apply to all conventional arms within the following categories herein referred to as “conventional weapons” as defined in the Arms Trade Treaty and the UN programme on Small Arms and Light Weapons including the following and related ammunition:
   1. Battle tanks;
   2. Armoured combat vehicles.
   3. Artillery systems;
   4. Combat aircraft;
   5. Attack helicopters;
   6. Warships;
   7. Missiles and missile launchers; and
   8. Small arms and light weapons;
4. Declare also that this Moratorium shall apply to the production, testing and development of Nuclear Weapons and other nuclear explosive devices; 

5. Invites the international community to take appropriate measures to suspend, where necessary and feasible, the transit or trans-shipment under its jurisdiction of conventional weapons through its territory in accordance with relevant international law.

IN FAITH WHEREOF, WE [INSERT STATE HERE] HAVE SIGNED THIS MORATORIUM.