Arms Trade Treaty Secretariat

The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) was adopted by the UN General Assembly to regulate the international trade in conventional arms by establishing the highest international standards and to prevent and eradicate illicit trade and diversion of conventional arms. The ATT entered into force on 24 December 2014, and contributes to international and regional peace, security and stability, reducing human suffering, and promoting cooperation, transparency and responsible action among the international community. Article 18 of the Treaty calls for the establishment of a Secretariat to assist States Parties in the effective implementation of the Treaty. The Secretariat was established in March 2016 in Geneva, Switzerland.