Fact Sheet: Arms Trade Treaty

Background on the ATT 
The ATT was opened for United Nations (UN) member states' signature, acceptance, approval and ratification on 3 June 2013. The ATT is the first legally binding instrument negotiated at the UN aimed at eliminating the illicit trade of conventional arms and preventing their diversion, through the establishment of a set of common international standards that regulates the international transfer of conventional arms.

Singapore's position on the ATT  
Singapore has consistently supported the broad principles and objectives of the ATT, and participated actively in the discussions and negotiations on the ATT since the start of the process in 2006. Singapore is able to comply with the obligations under the ATT, and is currently working to implement these obligations domestically.

Singapore's support for other international disarmament and non-proliferation efforts 
Apart from the ATT, Singapore also works closely with countries around the world to impede the proliferation of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive weapons. Singapore is supportive of international disarmament and nonproliferation initiatives that promote global peace and security, and shares the humanitarian concerns of the indiscriminate and irresponsible use of weapons. Singapore is therefore fully committed to working with members of the international community to ensure that weapons are not misused, balanced against the right to use weapons for self-defence. This ensures that Singapore's support for such international initiatives will not undermine the nation's long-term security needs.

Singapore is party to various international disarmament and non-proliferation treaties, such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction, as well as the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone.

Singapore is also supportive of international efforts to combat the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons (SALW), such as the Programme of Action (PoA) and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI). The PoA and the ITI are part of an internationally coordinated approach to curb the illicit production, trafficking and circulation of SALW. Singapore has implemented the proposals contained within the PoA and ITI.

More Resources

Singapore Signs Arms Trade Treaty