Executive Summary
On Thursday 26 January 2023, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), the Stimson Center and Conflict Armament Research organized a one-day brainstorming workshop on “The Role of Industry in Responsible International Transfers of Conventional Arms” in support of the Republic of Korea’s presidency of the Ninth Conference of States Parties (CSP9) to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). This summary report presents some of the workshop’s key discussion points and issues for consideration during the ATT CSP9 cycle of meetings. It is anticipated that this document can support the preparation of a working paper by the CSP9 presidency that contains recommendations for concrete action to support effective implementation and universalization of the ATT.
This report provides some background information on industry expectations regarding the impact of the ATT and explores how to improve industry engagement with the ATT process. It highlights some of the potential benefits for industry – which ranges from arms manufacturers, via logistics companies to financial service providers – if the ATT can facilitate greater convergence of arms transfer laws and regulatory approaches around the world.
A central focus of the workshop was on how to ensure that industry can contribute to achieving the object and purpose of the ATT. It explored this issue by examining challenges that industry currently faces in complying with national transfer control systems. It also looked at opportunities provided by the ATT to share effective practices and lessons learned on providing guidance to industry for conducting risk assessments and due diligence checks, countering diversion, and ensuring clarity in national transfer control procedures and control lists. The workshop participants developed constructive proposals to increase industry engagement with the ATT process and enhance government–industry relations to achieve the treaty’s object and purpose. They identified four broad categories of action for consideration during the CSP9 cycle of meetings:
- Identify how industry can support ATT implementation and universalization.
- Consider ways to raise awareness of the ATT and its benefits for industry and private sector entities involved in all aspects of the international arms trade.
- Share existing guidance and related materials, as well as lessons learned and effective measures, which enable industry to make a positive contribution to responsible international transfers of conventional arms in order to achieve the object and purpose of the ATT.
- Explore opportunities for ATT states parties to collectively establish the highest common international standards and promote effective measures for regulating the international arms trade in order to provide more clarity and predictability for a globalized arms industry.
Read the full report here.
Photo: U.S. Air Force/Jordan Castelan.
