The landmark Arms Trade Treaty, designed to control the trade in deadly weapons that fuel armed conflict around the world, will become international law before the end of the year, with seven countries today agreeing to ratify the international agreement at the United Nations, in New York.
The Australian Government has missed a prime opportunity to increase its humanitarian aid to Syria, failing to bring money to the table at a high level UN General Assembly meeting in New York yesterday.
Oxfam is calling on the Australian Government to increase humanitarian assistance to the Syria crisis after a report warning of a failing international response released today found Australia has contributed just 27 per cent of its fair share of funding.
Oxfam today welcomed a pledge of $1 million worth of funding from the Australian Government for an Oxfam supported program aimed at giving women more economic influence in the ASEAN arena.