On Wednesday 17 January 2024. the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, Stimson Center, Conflict Armament Research, and the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a one[1]day brainstorming workshop on “The Role of Interagency Cooperation in the Effective Implementation of Arms Trade Treaty Provisions”, in support of Romania’s presidency of the Tenth Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT CSP10). This summary report presents some of the workshop’s key discussion points and issues for consideration during the ATT CSP10 cycle of meetings. It is anticipated that this document can support the preparation of a working paper by the CSP10 Presidency that contains recommendations for concrete action to support effective implementation and universalization of the ATT.
This report provides some background information on the role of interagency cooperation in effective ATT implementation, based on a review of material shared by States. It highlights some of the common challenges for establishing and maintaining interagency cooperation, as well as lessons learned and key principles to support effective treaty implementation. Workshop participants shared concrete recommendations for consideration in the Working Groups on Effective Treaty Implementation, Transparency and Reporting, and Treaty Universalization, as well proposals to enable the sharing of effective practices to overcome challenges for establishing and maintaining interagency cooperation. In addition proposals were made for:
- Sharing concrete examples of the evolution of the role of interagency cooperation to support ATT implementation,
- Using regional meetings and other peer-to-peer opportunities for States with similar situations and traditions to share challenges and effective systemic and practical measures to establish or enhance interagency cooperation to support ATT implementation,
- Including material on the role of interagency cooperation in effective ATT implementation in voluntary guidance to support ATT implementation, with calls for including this in existing guidance on Article 5 and for annual reports,
- Elaborating a set of key principles for establishing or enhancing interagency cooperation,
- Providing training and encouraging States to apply for Voluntary Trust Fund projects to establish and enhance interagency cooperation for effective ATT implementation.
Header image: Report from the Arms Trade Treaty Conference of States Parties 2017 and Prospects of the Conference of States Parties 2018 by Control Arms
