UK Defence industry supports government position on ensuring legally binding arms trade treaty

ADS today (Thursday) supported the comments of Rt Hon Alan Duncan MP, Minister of State for International Development speech "Time for a treaty: Why the arms industry must have global standards" at the Institute for Strategic Studies, as the Minister called for a legally binding Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

Since 2003, the UK Defence industry, with other European Defence industries has worked closely with governments and NGOs to ensure that the ATT becomes an effective mechanism for implementation for higher international standards in the defence export arena. The underlying security and humanitarian principles that drive the need for an ATT are consistent with the UK Defence industry’s strong commitment to corporate responsibility.

Rees Ward, CEO at ADS, said:

"For many years the UK Defence industry has been committed to establishing an effective, implementable and widely adopted ATT recognised by Governments and NGOs. Industry has therefore supported the desire of the UK Government to negotiate a legally binding Arms Trade Treaty to regulate the global trade in conventional arms.

"Gaps in the global regulatory landscape need to be plugged. As momentum builds toward final negotiations at the United Nations during July, UK Defence will be supporting our government in creating a treaty that will plug these gaps, while also incorporating the underlying security and humanitarian principles that drive the need for an ATT in the first place."