Samoa has ratified a landmark international treaty to control the global arms trade.
Samoa joined seven other countries at the United Nations to deposit their intruments of ratification to the Arms Trade Treaty which seeks to thwart the flow of arms to conflict regions.
It is the first among Pacific Island countries to take the step, bringing to 40 the number of countries ratifying so far.
Ten more countries are needed before the agreement comes into force.
Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu are among the treaty's 118 signatories.
The treaty requires countries which ratify it to establish national regulations around the movement of guns and other arms.
