Arms Trade Treaty

• The adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) marked a turning point in the international community’s efforts to regulate the global trade in conventional arms and to promote peace and security.
• 130 States have signed the ATT.
• Currently, 110 countries are parties to the Treaty.
• It provides for cooperation and assistance to help countries develop adequate regulatory systems and safe weapons stockpiles.
• By establishing common international standards for regulating the international trade in conventional arms, preventing and eradicating the illicit trade in conventional arms and preventing their diversion, the ATT aims at contributing to international and regional peace, security and stability, reducing human suffering, and building confidence among States Parties.

Why the Arms control is necessary?

• The ready availability of weapons and ammunition often leads to human suffering, political repression, crime and terror among civilian populations.
•  Illicit arms transfers can destabilise an entire region, enable violations of international humanitarian law, undermine arms embargoes, and contribute to human rights abuses in countries experiencing conflict and high levels of violence.
• Furthermore, States affected by conflict or pervasive crime have the most difficulties attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Significance of Arms Trade Treaty

• Reduce armed conflict and violence, which impact millions of civilians every year
• Help create a more conducive environment for the UN to carry out its mandates in peacekeeping, peacemaking and post-conflict peacebuilding and in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
• Foster a safer environment for humanitarian actors operating in volatile areas across the globe such as those delivering food aid, protecting refugees, working on gender equality and empowering women