The Fourth Conference of States Parties (CSP) to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) concluded August 24th after yet another week of discussions on little more than administrative procedures and bureaucratic policies. Now, almost four years after it entered into force, the ATT continues to try to expand and remain relevant despite lacking the membership of major arms exporters China and Russia, importers such as India, and having a body composed of States Parties either unwilling or unable to comply with its most fundamental obligations.
Regrettably, the United States remains a signatory to the ATT, providing it with credibility and much needed financial support while at the same time lacking the ability to vote on its shape and direction. This lack of influence is especially alarming given the makeup of the U.S. delegation to the ATT, a delegation historically keen on remaining silent even in the face of direct criticism[1], and one which cowers at the thought of taking the floor to stifle attempts by developing nations to peddle the agenda of the global anti-firearms community.
Thankfully, the United States’ tendency to remain silent[2] had little impact on this year’s CSP. With few direct attacks levied against the United States, attendees were not left questioning if the delegations’ silence was tantamount to admission, but instead contemplating if the lack of participation this year was a deliberate attempt to remain off the record by a delegation operating without the approval of the current administration.
While we will likely never know the answer to this, one thing was clear at this year’s CSP: even without any opposition from the United States, the ATT is failing on its own.
For those unfamiliar with the ATT, its purported object and purpose
