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.
Read all the commentaries and the report on the ATT at 10 webpage.
Taking part in the creation of the Arms Trade Treaty was one of the proudest moments in my 30-year career as a Japanese diplomat. While the world continues to face many conflicts, codifying the legally binding international standards on arms transfers in 2012 was a much-needed result that will guide us into the future.
When you are a diplomat, you are constantly reminded of the gap between the aspirations and constraints when negotiating any contested international issue. The Arms Trade Treaty was no exception. One could easily point out its shortcomings, such as the lack of enforcement mechanisms or insufficient membership to make the instrument universal. Even with its deficiencies the significance of making the treaty a reality cannot be overstated.
Conventional weapons and small arms have claimed many innocent lives during the 20th century, and thus it was critical to establish international standards that require all parties, especially exporters and importers, to be more vigilant when transferring arms. The Arms Trade Treaty has become an essential tool in holding all stakeholders accountable so that arms will not be smuggled, diverted, or used for illicit purposes. Incorporating international humanitarian and human rights laws, as well as relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, was also an important development in strengthening the rule of law in arms trade and codifying existing international obligations. The Treaty makes a clear reference to the need of protecting vulnerable populations in societies, which will empower those who have been victimized by the proliferation of arms.
Besides the tangible outcomes that we were able to produce in New York in the summer of 2012, I gained personal joy and a sense of fulfillment through forging close friendship with all those who took part in the ATT negotiations. These include government officials, UN staff, members of civil society, and scholars from all around the world. It is my privilege to be able to call them friends, and I am reminded that their personal dedication and commitment was the key to breaking through difficult international negotiations.
Looking ahead, it is my earnest hope that the ATT will be seen as a major source of inspiration to those who want to reduce human suffering and devastation caused by the rampant use of conventional weapons. Strengthening the capacity of member states and stakeholders such as industry and civil society will be critical. Empirical analysis on the arms trade made by scholars and researchers will continue to play a critical role. And most of all, the political commitment and international coalitions need to be present now, more than ever.
When we are faced with the continuing scourge of wars and conflicts, we often feel powerless and not able to make any difference in the world. In those instances, I think of the words of Mahatma Gandhi. “When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it — always.” Some may say a treaty is a piece of paper, but it is created by the aspirations of millions of people. Regulating human conduct may not be an easy task but human aspirations were always there to prompt changes in society. The Arms Trade Treaty is clearly one of those landmarks that the people have achieved.
Tomoaki Ishigaki, Minister, Embassy of Japan to the United States, and Former Japanese ATT negotiator at the Japanese mission to the UN in New York, 2010-2013
A Brief Reflection on the Arms Trade Treaty
By Tomoaki Ishigaki
Conventional Arms
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.
Read all the commentaries and the report on the ATT at 10 webpage.
Taking part in the creation of the Arms Trade Treaty was one of the proudest moments in my 30-year career as a Japanese diplomat. While the world continues to face many conflicts, codifying the legally binding international standards on arms transfers in 2012 was a much-needed result that will guide us into the future.
When you are a diplomat, you are constantly reminded of the gap between the aspirations and constraints when negotiating any contested international issue. The Arms Trade Treaty was no exception. One could easily point out its shortcomings, such as the lack of enforcement mechanisms or insufficient membership to make the instrument universal. Even with its deficiencies the significance of making the treaty a reality cannot be overstated.
Conventional weapons and small arms have claimed many innocent lives during the 20th century, and thus it was critical to establish international standards that require all parties, especially exporters and importers, to be more vigilant when transferring arms. The Arms Trade Treaty has become an essential tool in holding all stakeholders accountable so that arms will not be smuggled, diverted, or used for illicit purposes. Incorporating international humanitarian and human rights laws, as well as relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, was also an important development in strengthening the rule of law in arms trade and codifying existing international obligations. The Treaty makes a clear reference to the need of protecting vulnerable populations in societies, which will empower those who have been victimized by the proliferation of arms.
Besides the tangible outcomes that we were able to produce in New York in the summer of 2012, I gained personal joy and a sense of fulfillment through forging close friendship with all those who took part in the ATT negotiations. These include government officials, UN staff, members of civil society, and scholars from all around the world. It is my privilege to be able to call them friends, and I am reminded that their personal dedication and commitment was the key to breaking through difficult international negotiations.
Looking ahead, it is my earnest hope that the ATT will be seen as a major source of inspiration to those who want to reduce human suffering and devastation caused by the rampant use of conventional weapons. Strengthening the capacity of member states and stakeholders such as industry and civil society will be critical. Empirical analysis on the arms trade made by scholars and researchers will continue to play a critical role. And most of all, the political commitment and international coalitions need to be present now, more than ever.
When we are faced with the continuing scourge of wars and conflicts, we often feel powerless and not able to make any difference in the world. In those instances, I think of the words of Mahatma Gandhi. “When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it — always.” Some may say a treaty is a piece of paper, but it is created by the aspirations of millions of people. Regulating human conduct may not be an easy task but human aspirations were always there to prompt changes in society. The Arms Trade Treaty is clearly one of those landmarks that the people have achieved.
Tomoaki Ishigaki, Minister, Embassy of Japan to the United States, and Former Japanese ATT negotiator at the Japanese mission to the UN in New York, 2010-2013
Recent & Related