Understanding Challenges to Arms Trade Treaty Universalization in the Indo-Pacific

This project aims to reduce threats to populations in the Indo-Pacific region from the proliferation of small arms and light weapons by advancing the universalization and national implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). The project engages with key actors and states in the Indo-Pacific region to help identify challenges and opportunities with ATT compliance. Project activities include: (1) researching current trends and common issues around the legal and illegal trade of weapons and ammunition and the challenges hindering Indo-Pacific states’ accession to the ATT; (2) publishing a report summarizing the research findings at the 10th Conference of States Parties of the ATT in August 2024; and (3) disseminating the report further and engaging with wider audiences to determine interest in building on the core needs identified in the report.

The expected results of this project include: (1) increased access to updated knowledge and awareness by key actors on recent developments in conventional weapons trade in the Indo-Pacific region including the state of ratification accession and implementation of the ATT; (2) increased access to updated knowledge by key actors on possible entry points and approaches to strengthen policy engagement by states in the Indo-Pacific region towards ATT universalization and compliance; and (3) increased knowledge and understanding by institutions and key actors on leveraging Article 7.4 of the ATT to mitigate the risk of arms-related gender-based violence and violence against women and children in the specific contexts of the Indo-Pacific region.