Project

ATT at 10

Reflecting on the Arms Trade Treaty’s first ten years and looking towards effective implementation in its second decade

About Project

December 24, 2024 marks the tenth anniversary of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), the first international instrument regulating the international trade of conventional arms. As we celebrate the treaty’s milestone, this project examines whether the treaty is living up to the expectations and intentions of its adopters, lessons learned from the treaty’s first ten years, and provides recommendations for the treaty’s next decade.

This project is supported generously by the governments of Australia and the United Kingdom.

Project Team

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Research & Writing

Commentary

Ten years after the Arms Trade Treaty’s entry into force, we have an opportunity to look back at the treaty’s successes and ensure its success and relevance in the future.
December 17, 2024

Field Note

Reflections on the anniversary of the Arms Trade Treaty during the 10th Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty
September 30, 2024

Commentary

The balancing act of depicting the Arms Trade Treaty’s successes and challenges.
August 20, 2024

Commentary

Contemplating the accomplishments of Arms Trade Treaty negotiations and the challenges of implementation from the final President of the ATT negotiations.
August 20, 2024

Commentary

Contemplating the accomplishments of Arms Trade Treaty negotiations and the challenges of implementation from the final President of the ATT negotiations.
August 20, 2024

Commentary

Reflecting on the Arms Trade Treaty’s creation and calling for hope in the face of global conflict.
August 20, 2024

Commentary

Finding the true dynamism and impact of the Arms Trade Treaty… outside of official ATT forums.
August 20, 2024

Commentary

Reflecting on the impact — or lack of impact — of the Arms Trade Treaty
August 20, 2024

Commentary

A call for open and good-faith discussion of the challenges facing the Arms Trade Treaty.
August 20, 2024

Commentary

Expressing the importance of strengthening the relationship between the Arms Trade Treaty and the challenges of the “real world.”
August 20, 2024

Sub-Projects

There are no subprojects associated with this project.


Final Report

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Executive Summary


Recommendations

ATT at 10 Events
Publications
ATT at 10 Commentaries
In international negotiations, while the interests and will of the States engaged in the process guide the outcome, the people in the room matter. Stimson brought together some of the original stakeholders involved in the ATT process, including diplomats and civil society researchers and advocates, a decade after its adoption to provide reflections on the ATT’s past decade and key insights into the treaty’s current impact and future trajectory.
Looking Back to Look Forward
Celebrating the Arms Trade Treaty’s first decade
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“We have a treaty that… promotes greater responsibility by States on their arms transfers and, for the first time, formally brings humanitarian concerns into the security space of arms transfers.”H.E. Ambassador Roberto García Moritán
Former Ambassador of Argentina to the UN
Chair/President of ATT Process 2008-2012
“The Arms Trade Treaty urgently requires a strong strategic vision and agency to successfully navigate the geopolitical realities of international relations, which influence the transfer of arms, their components, munitions, and their use.”Hector Guerra

Co-Director, MERIDIONAL
“Almost 10 years since the ATT entered into force the Treaty is more important than ever in efforts to reduce the global epidemic of armed conflict and violence. Only when all States are fully and faithfully applying the ATT’s core provisions, as set out in Articles 6 and 7, will the Treaty be able to deliver on its objective of reducing human suffering caused by the illicit and irresponsible international trade in conventional arms.”Elizabeth Kirkham

Senior Adviser, Arms Unit, Saferworld
“The ATT is a living instrument of the efficaciousness of multilateralism to devise rules and other solutions to tackle problems which confront the international community.”Eden Charles

Lead Negotiator of CARICOM for the ATT
“The true impact of the Arms Trade Treaty thrives outside the conference rooms, where civil society groups are using it to challenge governments’ arms supplies to conflict zones and human rights violators.”Anna Macdonald

Co-Chair of the Control Arms Coalition, 2002-2013
Director of the Control Arms Secretariat, 2014-2019
“It was an honor to be part of the negotiations to create the Arms Trade Treaty. While there remain many problems around the world, legally-binding international standards we have sat forth to regulate international arms transfers will continue to play a critical role in promoting peace and reducing human suffering.”Tomoaki Ishigaki

Minister, Embassy of Japan to the United States
Former Japanese ATT negotiator at the Japanese mission to the UN in New York, 2010-2013
“Examining the nature of the ATT reveals that it is not a prohibition of the arms trade but rather a framework of regulations intended to ensure that the trade remains responsible and considerate of humanitarian and geopolitical circumstances.”Guy Pollard

UK Deputy Representative to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, 2004-2016
Supported negotiations and drafting of the final Treaty text
“The ATT set the stage to regulate the international trade of weapons, limit their diversion, and most importantly, save lives. But like any other stage it requires actors to turn off the ghost light and perform: It is time for States, experts, civil society and others to turn their focus on implementing the Treaty.”Dr. Roberto Dondisch

Head Negotiator of Mexico to the ATT process
Distinguished Fellow Stimson Center“Transparency is crucial for the success of the ATT. It ensures accountability and builds trust among states parties.” Dr. Roberto Dondisch

Head Negotiator of Mexico to the ATT process
Distinguished Fellow Stimson Center“I do not believe we could have got a stronger or more effective treaty and kept the major exporters and importers on board. We certainly could not negotiate this treaty today due to the geopolitical realities that challenge the international system.”H.E. Ambassador Peter Woolcott

Former Ambassador of Australia to the United Nations, Geneva (ATT Conference President 2013)
“The negotiation of the ATT proved that commercial interests could take a back seat when lives are in jeopardy.” Dr. Roberto Dondisch

Head Negotiator of Mexico to the ATT process
Distinguished Fellow Stimson Center
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