斯德哥尔摩国际和平研究所-Taking-Stock-of-the-Arms-Trade-Treaty--International-Assistance-to-Support-Implementation_20页_256kb

Summary of "Taking Stock of the Arms Trade Treaty: International Assistance to Support Implementation"

I. Introduction

The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), adopted in 2013, requires states parties to build capacity to implement its provisions. To support this, a variety of international assistance instruments have been established, including the ATT Voluntary Trust Fund (VTF), the UN Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation (UNSCAR), and the EU ATT Outreach Project (EU ATT OP). These mechanisms aim to improve the implementation of the ATT through legal, technical, and institutional support. However, the effectiveness, sustainability, and coordination of these assistance efforts remain to be fully assessed.

This paper contributes to a broader analysis of the ATT, focusing on the role of international assistance in its implementation. It outlines the core content, main challenges, and good practices in this area, and offers recommendations for improving the role of assistance in supporting states' obligations under the ATT.

II. Definition and Scope of International Assistance

• Article 16 of the ATT outlines the provision of international assistance for implementation.
• Assistance includes legal or legislative support, institutional capacity-building, and technical, material, or financial aid.
• The assistance is voluntary and upon request, with no specific right to claim assistance.
• The VTF is a key mechanism, with the ATT Secretariat managing it and a selection committee overseeing its activities.
• The ATT is linked to other provisions, such as Article 15 (international cooperation) and Article 5 (general implementation), reinforcing the importance of assistance in achieving treaty objectives.

III. Main ATT-Focused Assistance Instruments

1. EU ATT Outreach Project (EU ATT OP)

• Launched in 2013 under the EU Partner-to-Partner (P2P) Export Control Programme.
• Aims to support non-EU states in strengthening their arms transfer control systems.
• Co-financed by France and Germany, implemented by BAFA and Expertise France.
• Includes regional outreach to encourage neighboring countries to engage with the ATT.
• Has supported over 50 projects in various regions, with a strong presence in sub-Saharan Africa.

2. UN Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation (UNSCAR)

• Established by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) in 2013.
• A multi-donor mechanism for arms regulation and implementation of the ATT.
• Administered with the support of a strategic planning group of donors.
• Funded 94 projects globally, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, with a budget of $12.5 million.
• Thematic priorities have expanded over time, including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR).
• Works in close coordination with the VTF to avoid duplication and enhance synergies.

3. ATT Voluntary Trust Fund (VTF)

• Established in 2016 by the second Conference of States Parties (CSP).
• Administered by the ATT Secretariat with a selection committee.
• Supports 52 projects in 33 countries by April 2021, with $10 million in contributions.
• Provides assistance to requesting states parties, including those that have signed but not ratified the ATT.
• Encourages universalization of the treaty through outreach and legal support activities.

IV. Other ATT-Relevant Assistance Instruments

• Various international, regional, and national actors provide assistance that is indirectly or directly relevant to the ATT.
• This includes UN agencies, regional organizations, NGOs, and governments.
• Examples:
  • UNODC supports the implementation of the UN Firearms Protocol.
  • OSCE and NATO assist in SALW control and stockpile management.
  • AU, EAC, ECCAS, ECOWAS, and RECSA support regional SALW control instruments.
  • US Department of State funds EXBS and Conventional Weapons Destruction programs.
  • Interpol and World Customs Organization contribute to law enforcement and customs capacity-building.
• These initiatives often predate the ATT and are used to support future implementation.

V. Challenges and Good Practices

Key Challenges:

• Funding shortages: Limited resources hinder the effectiveness of assistance.
• Technical expertise and human resources: Many states lack the necessary capacity to implement the ATT.
• Coordination: Donors, implementers, and beneficiary states face difficulties in aligning efforts.
• Measuring impact: Assessing the effectiveness of assistance remains a challenge due to the complexity of implementation processes.

Good Practices:

• Tailored national assistance programmes based on roadmaps agreed with beneficiaries.
• Collaboration between different actors (e.g., UNSCAR and VTF) to avoid duplication.
• Use of existing frameworks for international assistance.
• Focus on awareness-building and capacity development for legal and administrative systems.

VI. Recommendations

• The ATT Secretariat and related processes should enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of assistance.
• Coordination among donors, implementers, and beneficiary states should be improved.
• Impact measurement mechanisms need to be developed to better assess the success of assistance efforts.
• Universalization of the ATT should be supported through continued outreach and capacity-building.

VII. Conclusion

International assistance is a crucial component of the ATT's implementation. While several mechanisms exist, their effectiveness, sustainability, and coordination are still under evaluation. The paper emphasizes the need for greater clarity, enhanced cooperation, and systematic impact assessment to ensure that assistance efforts contribute meaningfully to the ATT's goals.