The purpose of the conference, organized with complementary assistance from the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC), was to exchange ideas and provide an overview of the ATT and its relation with other international and Regional instruments. More specifically, examine the UN Programme of Action on Illicit SALW (UN 2001 PoA) and how it relates to other Regional instruments for arms control and the Arms Trade Treaty, review the ratification process to date and discuss ATT implementation challenges. The so called "Declaration of Lomé" was issued, reasserting South-South cooperation in the ratification process of the ATT and stating that even with a strong ATT, the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms (UN 2001 PoA) remains essential in relation to addressing the illicit trade in small arms, as a vital peace and security-related challenge. The declaration reaffirmed that the entry into force of the ATT will complement and reinforce the PoA.