The Arms Trade Treaty: Preparing for the next decade
Since the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) entered into force in December 2014, substantive work on implementation, transparency and reporting, and universalisation of the Treaty has taken place. This work is led by three dedicated working groups that meet twice a year, including a preparatory meeting for the annual Conference of States Parties (CSP).
The ATT has faced several challenges in recent years, including financial constraints, decreasing levels of transparency, and reduced engagement in the formal Treaty process. As a result, the Eighth CSP mandated the ATT Management Committee to conduct a review of the ATT programme of work, resulting in proposals to reduce the working group and CSP preparatory time by almost 40 per cent.
This briefing provides a critical examination of the review and its proposals, and urges a longer-term, more considered assessment to develop bespoke solutions – enabling the ATT to move into its second decade as a stronger and more effective force for good.
Also read our blog: 'The real-world costs of cutting the Arms Trade Treaty process'.
Read more about our work on effective arms control.
