Arms Trade Treaty

Regional organizations

Exploring the Critical Role of Regional Actors in ATT Universalization and Implementation

About

The ATT Regional Actor Handbook is the final product of a multi-year project developed in three key phases:

Map

An in-depth mapping exercise of 60 Regional Organizations, aimed to capture the initial landscape of Regional and sub-Regional organizations and their involvement in implementing the Arms Trade Treaty or otherwise regulating the international arms trade.

Identify

Identification of the regional and sub-Regional Organizations most involved in Arms Trade Treaty implementation and other related arms trade regulation efforts. The 29 organizations were selected for inclusion in the Handbook based on a clear mandates to work on relevant issues, a pattern of activities on this topic, or a reputation for engagement in this area. Such organizations include the UN regional Centers for Disarmament in each region, key regional integration organizations as well as law enforcement and customs organizations.

Develop

Development and Publication of the Regional Actors Handbook.

The Handbook provides a comprehensive mapping of activities and efforts carried out by each of the 29 regional actors identified. In addition, the Handbook includes analysis of linkages between the ATT and regional arms control instruments and promotes a better understanding of how programmes and activities designed to combat the illicit arms trade, to strengthen arms control regulation and promote transparency in the international arms trade may complement the efforts to implement the Treaty. The handbook also sets out recommendations on how regional organizations, ATT States Parties and other stakeholders, both individually and collectively, can support the universalization and effective implementation of the ATT. 

Structure and Overview

Profiles

1. Description of organization, including a list of members of each Regional Organization and the status of the ATT universalization among these member states. Where applicable, the profiles also include information on regional instruments – both legally binding – that share linkages or complementarities with the ATT. 

 2. Account of ATT-related activities

The activities are divided into:

  1. direct ATT support
  2. indirect ATT support. Under the heading –  Establishing Transfer Controls, this section captures assistance provided by Regional Organizations in support of the development of arms transfer control systems and the implementation of relevant regional instruments that have a direct or indirect link to the implementation of the ATT. Given the broad range of assistance covered in this subsection, activities are organized in four types of initiatives: National Control System; Legal Assistance; Diversion Prevention; and  Gender and GBV

    Key Finding

    This section provides a set of general findings and specific recommendations for Regional Organizations, for ATT States Parties and other stakeholders. The recommendations draw on research findings and take into account the different types of organizations profiled (Regional Integration Organizations, UN Regional Centres, and Law Enforcement Organizations) as well as the challenges they face in relation to ATT promotion, universalization and implementation. In particular, the recommendations highlight opportunities through which Regional Organizations could further their engagement in the ATT as well as ways in which member states can partner with Regional Organizations on ATT-related projects.

    Annexes

    The Handbook includes three Annexes which present: 

    1. A snapshot of the information provided in the Regional Organization profiles
    2. A survey of regional instruments and agreements is included in the profiles outlined in Part I with a particular focus on their scope and reporting requirements. 
    3. a list of all the Regional Organizations reviewed as part of this study but not selected for inclusion. The list includes a brief description of each Regional Organization, general information on activities related to disarmament and arms control, and cross-cutting issues that implicate the ATT, such as terrorism and organized crime.

    Arms Trade Treaty Regional Actor Organizations

    United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC)

    United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC)

    Organization of American States (OAS)

    Organization of American States (OAS)

    Caribbean Community (CARICOM)/Caricom IMPACTS

    Caribbean Community (CARICOM)/Caricom IMPACTS

    Caribbean Community (CARICOM)/Caricom IMPACTS

    MERCOSUR

    Central American Integration Program (SICA)

    Central American Integration Program (SICA)

    UNREC

    UNREC

    African Union

    African Union

    ECOWAS

    ECOWAS

    ECCAS

    ECCAS

    RECSA

    RECSA

    ECA

    IGAD

    SARCOM

    SARCOM

    SADC

    SADC

    Region: Southern Africa
    Headquarters: Gaborone, Botswana
    Type of organization: Regional Integration
    Number of Members: 16
    SARPCCO

    SARPCCO

    Region: Southern Africa
    Headquarters: Zimbabwe
    Type of organization: Police Coordination
    Number of Members: 16 countries, plus SADC and Interpol
    European Union
    European Union

    European Union

    Region: Europe
    Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
    Number of Members: 27
    NATO
    NATO

    NATO

    Region: North America and Europe
    Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
    Type of organization: Regional Integration
    Number of Members: 30
    SEESAC
    SEESAC

    SEESAC

    Region: South Eastern and Eastern Europe
    Headquarters: Belgrade, Serbia
    Type of organization: Regional Integration
    Number of Members: 12
    European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol)
    European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol)

    European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol)

    Region: Europe
    Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands
    Type of Organization: Law Enforcement
    Number of Members: 28
    Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
    Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)

    Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)

    Region: Europe, Central Asia, and North America
    Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
    Type of organization: Regional Integration
    Number of Members: 57, plus 11 partners for
    cooperation
    Regional Arms Control Verification and Implementation Assistance Centre (RACVIAC) Centre for Security Cooperation
    Regional Arms Control Verification and Implementation Assistance Centre (RACVIAC) Centre for Security Cooperation

    Regional Arms Control Verification and Implementation Assistance Centre (RACVIAC) Centre for Security Cooperation

    Region: South-East Europe
    Headquarters: Zagreb, Croatia
    Type of Organization: Regional Integration
    Number of Members: 10
    South-East Europe Law Enforcement Centre (SELEC)
    South-East Europe Law Enforcement Centre (SELEC)

    South-East Europe Law Enforcement Centre (SELEC)

    Region: South-East Europe
    Headquarters: Bucharest, Romania
    Type of Organization: Law Enforcement
    Number of Members: 12
    The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD)
    The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD)

    The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD)

    Region: Asia and the Pacific
    Headquarters: Lalitpur, Nepal
    Type of organization: UN Regional Center
    Number of Members: 43
    Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
    Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

    Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

    Region: Southeast Asia
    Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia
    Type of organization: Regional Integration
    Number of Members:
    Pacific Islands Forum
    Pacific Islands Forum

    Pacific Islands Forum

    Region: Pacific
    Headquarters: Suva, Fiji
    Type of organization: Regional Integration
    Number of Members: 18
    Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)

    Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)

    Region: Melanesia
    Headquarters: Port Vila, Vunuatu
    Type of organization: Regional Integration
    Number of Members: 4, plus 1 associate and 2 observers
    League of Arab States (LAS)
    League of Arab States (LAS)

    League of Arab States (LAS)

    Region: Middle East
    Headquarters: Cairo, Egypt
    Type of Organization: Regional Integration
    Number of Members: 22 (including Syria, which is currently

    Key Findings

    Of the 60 Regional Organizations reviewed,
    27 organizations
    were found to carry out work that was either directly or indirectly in support of the Treaty’s implementation.

    Direct Support: 18 of the 27 Regional Organizations have conducted activities specifically focused on supporting the ATT,

    Indirect Support: Of the 27 Regional Organizations, 15 are responsible for the implementation of regional instruments that cover small arms or conventional arms control.

    Cross-Sectoral Support: The work of Regional Organizations also underscores and reinforces the links between the ATT and peace and security, terrorism, transnational crime, customs matters, transportation, and SALW trafficking

    No correlation between specific regional activities relating to ATT universalization and/or implementation and ATT membership rates

    • Despite significant efforts undertaken by regional and sub-Regional Organizations, the rates of ATT universalization remain low in certain regions.
    • Regional Organizations that enjoy high rates of ATT universalization among their Member States, tend not to prioritize the ATT in their work-plans.

    Opportunities for Engagement

    Areas where regional organizations may offer expertise, lessons learned and good practice to ATT stakeholders:

    Legislative Assistance

    Regional Organizations have developed a range of documents – Codes of Conduct on Arms Transfers, Model Arms Control Bills and Model Laws – aimed to assist states to implement the ATT and related regional and international arms control instruments such as. For example, CARICOM IMPACS and the Pacific Islands Forum have utilized ATT Model Laws in their ATT implementation assistance initiatives. These model codes and laws serve to strengthen the ability of Member States to ratify and implement the ATT by providing an initial foundation onto which states can incorporate aspects of the ATT not already covered.

    GENDER AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

    Regional Organizations have developed a range of documents – Codes of Conduct on Arms Transfers, Model Arms Control Bills and Model Laws – aimed to assist states to implement the ATT and related regional and international arms control instruments such as. For example, CARICOM IMPACS and the Pacific Islands Forum have utilized ATT Model Laws in their ATT implementation assistance initiatives. These model codes and laws serve to strengthen the ability of Member States to ratify and implement the ATT by providing an initial foundation onto which states can incorporate aspects of the ATT not already covered.

    PSSM

    Regional Organizations have developed a range of documents – Codes of Conduct on Arms Transfers, Model Arms Control Bills and Model Laws – aimed to assist states to implement the ATT and related regional and international arms control instruments such as. 

    REGIONAL WORKING GROUPS

    Regional Organizations have developed a range of documents – Codes of Conduct on Arms Transfers, Model Arms Control Bills and Model Laws – aimed to assist states to implement the ATT and related regional and international arms control instruments such as.

    Gender and Gender-based Violence

    Pssm

    Regional Working Groups

    Areas in which Regional Organizations could strengthen their engagement with the ATT are also identified:

    Synergies

    Reporting

    Cross-regional support

    Law Enforcement

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