Welcome to Geneva – a global capital for promoting peace, security and good governance. It is an honour and pleasure to receive you here for the Final Preparatory Meeting towards the First Conference of States Parties of the Arms Trade Treaty.

More than 400 representatives from almost 100 states and a wide variety of civil society organisations have gathered here to write together the next chapter in the ATT story. This is a remarkable story, marked by some drama and suspense and many ups and downs. At long last, it has become a story – our story – of collective success.

Since the successful entry into force of the Treaty half a year ago, preparations for the First Conference of States Parties have been intense. Important work was done in Port of Spain and then in Vienna. You are now here in Geneva to take the ATT story forward. Further steps must be agreed upon to allow the treaty to unleash its potential.

130 countries have signed or ratified the Treaty to date. While this is positive, our goal must be to achieve its universal ratification.
On behalf of Switzerland, I wish to thank every one of you, and all the countries and organisations represented here, for your engagement for the ATT and for a more secure world. Your participation in this Final Preparatory Meeting will bring us closer to implementing this important treaty effectively.

The negotiation and entry into force of the ATT are significant achievements for at least three reasons:

First, the ATT provides more security for people around the world. It strengthens human security. For the first time, the ATT sets legally binding international standards for the regulation of cross-border trade in conventional arms, thereby closing a long-standing gap in international law. The regulation of the arms trade benefits all our citizens and demands a resolute engagement by the international community.

Second, the ATT will be an important instrument to prevent and defuse armed conflict. By preventing arms from flowing to conflict regions and human rights violators, this treaty contributes to a less violent world.

If we look at recent developments both in Europe’s neighbourhood and globally, we get the inescapable impression that crises rather than stability are becoming the new normal. Strengthening our toolbox to address these crises and conflicts is essential, and the ATT plays an important role in this regard.

Third, and finally, the ATT is a strong symbol for effective multilateralism. In an increasingly multipolar world, balancing interests and finding compromise solutions is seen by many as exceedingly difficult. Fostering a spirit of cooperation is all the more important in this context. We need to demonstrate that if we all take the extra step, global governance can work irrespective of the tectonic changes the world is currently undergoing. The ATT is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when we engage in cooperative security.

Promoting peace and security is a priority of Switzerland’s foreign policy. Our own security and prosperity depend on a stable international environment. As a neutral country with a long tradition of building bridges, we are well positioned to make useful contributions to international efforts at enhancing security. We do this by placing Switzerland’s inner strengths – particularly the promotion of dialogue and inclusive solutions – at the centre of our foreign policy.
Switzerland sees it as its responsibility to help make this world a safer place. This is why we agreed to chair the OSCE, the world’s largest regional security organisation, last year. This is also why we are investing so much in promoting the ATT. With its humanitarian tradition and based on its own effective national export control system, Switzerland has been strongly committed to the ATT process from the beginning and will continue to be in the future.

Switzerland would like to see the Arms Trade Treaty implemented universally and effectively. We believe that Geneva would be an ideal location for the ATT Secretariat to help it accomplish these two goals. Over the past 100 years, International Geneva has become a major Swiss contribution to international efforts to promote peace, security, and good governance. Geneva stands for universality and effective services.

Bringing together more than 170 States that are permanently represented in this city, 32 international organisations, more than 250 NGOs as well as numerous renowned think tanks and academic institutions, Geneva facilitates the sort of inclusive dialogue that is indispensable to find common solutions to the common challenges we are facing. A wide range of relevant stakeholders with expertise in ATT-related matters such as trade and disarmament are present here in Geneva.

The newly opened “Maison de la Paix” reinforces the cluster of competence for international peace and security issues that Geneva provides. Three centres supported by the Swiss government – the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces – as well as many other security institutions are working together in this “House of Peace”. The Maison de la Paix stands for the kind of dialogue, creativity, and cross-issue cooperation that is emblematic of the Geneva spirit.

Switzerland will continue to do its utmost to strengthen Geneva as a host – to facilitate your work and to provide you with a stimulating and reliable environment. We would be honoured if you considered the Swiss candidacy for the ATT Secretariat favourably.

The adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty and its swift entry into force have been important chapters in the ATT story. We have established this Treaty to prevent and eradicate the illicit trade in conventional arms; to promote international peace and security, and, ultimately, to reduce human suffering. To achieve these goals, it is not enough to adopt this treaty – we will also have to ensure its universal and effective implementation.

Let us keep this in mind as we discuss structural and procedural issues over the coming days, weeks and months. These issues are not mere technicalities. The institutions and procedures we set up in the context of the ATT will have a significant impact on the implementation of the Treaty. Structures and procedures do matter. The chapter of the ATT story that we are now drafting is essential.

You can count on Switzerland’s commitment to do everything in its power to make this a productive gathering – just as we are counting on your willingness to take all measures necessary to turn another page in the ATT story and to collectively move towards a successful First Conference of States Parties in Mexico.

(Source: EDA, Bern)