Regulate the global trade in conventional arms and promote peace and security.



The ready availability of weapons and ammunition leads to human suffering, political repression, crime, and terror among civilian populations. Illicit arms transfers can destabilize an entire region, enable violations of arms embargoes, and contribute to human rights abuses in countries experiencing conflict and high levels of violence. States affected by conflict or pervasive crime have the most difficulty attaining the Sustainable Development Goals.

The adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in April 2013 by the General Assembly of the United Nations marked a turning point in the international community’s efforts to regulate the global trade in conventional arms and promote peace and security.

Before the adoption of the ATT, there was no global set of legal rules governing the trade in conventional weapons. The Treaty sets robust international standards to help guide governments in deciding whether or not to authorize arms transfers. It provides for cooperation and assistance to help countries develop adequate regulatory systems and safe weapons stockpiles.

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