Introduction:

The Arms Trade Treaty is the first international agreement to establish regulatory rules for all operations related to international trade in conventional arms. After dozens of treaties in the field of prohibition and disarmament of arms of mass destruction, the international community has focused on conventional arms, which are also considered among the most prominent threats to international and regional peace and security, given their dire impacts on human security and human rights. This was echoed in many international reports that confirm the interrelationship between the proliferation of conventional arms without controls and restrictions, as well as the illegal trade and the hotbeds of internal armed conflicts and the activity of organized crime groups and terrorist organizations. The organization of arms transfer operations, which is expressed in international trade and the prohibition of illegal trade in conventional arms, is considered the most important factor in promoting international peace and human security. This importance reflects the international efforts made by international community, led by the United Nations, both at the negotiation stage and the final drafting of the provisions of the treaty, leading to persuading countries to ratify its provisions. Accordingly, illicit trade in arms and lack of regulation thereof is a major factor increasing the suffering of civilians in areas of armed conflict, loss of life and human rights violations. Moreover, the absence of unified and agreed upon international standards on the import, export and transfer of conventional weapons contributes to fueling conflict, population displacement, crime, terrorism as well as undermining opportunities for peace, stability, and achieving sustainable development goals .

The Arms Trade Treaty is the first legal international agreement that sets regulatory rules for all operations related to the international trade in conventional weapons. After dozens of treaties in the field of prohibition and disarmament of weapons of mass destruction, the international community has focused on conventional weapons, which are also considered among the most prominent threats to international and regional peace and security, as well For their dire effects on human security and human rights, and this is confirmed by many international reports that confirm the interrelationship between the proliferation of conventional weapons without controls and restrictions as well as illegal trade in them and hotbeds of internal armed conflicts and the activity of organized crime groups and terrorist organizations, where the organization of the transfer of weapons is the expression International trade and the prohibition of illegal trade in conventional weapons are the most important factors in promoting international peace and security and human security, and this importance reflects the international efforts made by the international community, led by the United Nations, whether in the negotiation stage, harming the final drafting of the provisions of the treaty, leading to persuading countries to ratify its provisions. . Hence, the issue of illicit trade in arms and their availability without specific controls is a major factor contributing to the increasing suffering of civilians in areas of armed conflict, increasing loss of life and human rights violations, and the absence of unified and agreed international standards on the import, export and transfer of conventional weapons is a factor contributing to The increasing possibility of conflict, population displacement, crime and terrorism, and undermining opportunities for peace and stability, and thus achieving the goals of sustainable development.