A United Nations' conference aimed at forging a legally binding global arms trade treaty began on Tuesday, one day later than expected due to a dispute over whether the Palestinian Authority would have voting rights.

The 193 UN member states have until July 27 to draft a treaty to regulate the arms trade, which amounts to at least $60 billion (47 billion euros) a year.

Seven years of preparatory talks laid the groundwork for the conference, which gained new momentum after US President Barack Obama changed Washington's police and announced his support for such a treaty.

The United States is by far the largest arms supplier in the world, accounting for more than 40 percent of conventional arms sales. Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia are the other top arms exporters.

"Poorly regulated international arms transfers are fueling civil conflicts, destabilizing regions, and empowering terrorists and criminal networks," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the delegates.

"Our common goal is clear," Ban said. "A robust and legally binding arms trade treaty that will have a real impact on the lives of those millions of people suffering from the consequences of armed conflict, repression and armed violence."

Palestinian dispute

The talks should have opened on Monday, but were delayed due to a dispute over the status that the Palestinian Authority would have at the conference.

With Mideast peace talks stalled and their UN membership bid on ice, the Palestinians have been pushing for recognition within other UN bodies. In 2011, the Palestinian Authority was accepted as a state party to the UN's scientific and cultural organization, UNSECO.

The Palestinian Authority's observer to the UN, Riyad Mansour, argued that the Palestinians should have the same status at the arms talks as they do at UNESCO and receive full voting rights.

The United States and Israel left the conference in protest against the Palestinian move, which was supported by the UN Arab Group.

Ultimately, the Palestinians - like the Vatican - agreed to sit among the delegations as an observer.

"There is no time to waste on procedural issues," Brian Wood, who works on arms issues with Amnesty International, told the AFP news agency. "We have lost two days. It is regrettable because the world should focus its attention on developing this treaty."

slk/ccp (AFP, Reuters)