Why this arms trade treaty is essential

The UN conference on the arms trade aims to create a treaty that will reduce the killing and maiming of people around the world
Philippine soldiers recover illegal weapons from a private army
Philippine soldiers recover illegal weapons from a private army. Photograph: Erik De Castro/Reuters


There is a clear case for governments to act now. Every year, millions of people around the world suffer from the direct and indirect effects of the poorly regulated arms trade and the illicit trafficking of arms. Hundreds of thousands of people are killed or injured. Many are raped or forced to abandon their homes. Others live their lives under a constant threat of violence. Armed violence diverts resources away from schools, healthcare systems and infrastructure. It undermines sustainable development and ruins many chances for the sort of stable life that we take for granted.

Coupled with a growth in the illicit trafficking of arms, we are facing a growing threat to humanity.

Over the last decade, governments have become increasingly aware of this threat and have resolved to tackle it. At the same time, civil society, democratically elected representatives and global public opinion have all demanded action. In 2006, the international community agreed to focus its will through a UN process that is now entering its final stage.




While many states already operate robust export control systems, the lack of common international standards allows inconsistencies that those who would do harm can exploit. The arms trade treaty should be legally binding, but nationally enforced. This will ensure the global consistency required to make the treaty effective, while maintaining state signatories' right to decide on arms transfers. We believe that an arms trade treaty should cover all types of conventional weapons, notably including small arms and light weapons, all types of munitions, and related technologies. It is also of great importance that the treaty includes strong provisions on human rights, international humanitarian law and sustainable development.



This is a challenging endeavour and four weeks is a very short time to negotiate. A lot of work remains to bring all major players in the international arms trade on board. We will need the broadest possible coalition of forces. We are calling upon our fellow governments, civil society, the defence industry and individual citizens to lend us their support in what we hope will be a final decisive effort.