Informal Expert Group Meeting on Options for Harmonization of End-Use/r Control Systems

22-23 April 2015, Vienna, Austria

Diversion of authorized conventional arms transfers, including small arms, poses a persistent problem for security at global, regional and national levels, and lies at the heart of illicit arms proliferation. End use/r controls, including documentations, are commonly recognized by practitioners as an effective mechanism to combat arms diversion. Evidence from diversion cases, however, suggests that differences in the requirements and the use of end use/r documentation, as well as lack of common understanding of definitions and information to be shared among relevant stakeholders pose significant challenges to the effective implementation of the control system to prevent diversion.

In this context, an informal expert group meeting was held in Vienna to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive study to examine potential options and models for harmonization of end use/r control systems at the regional and global levels. The meeting aimed to explore common positions on procedures and practices, as well as approaches and processes to harmonize end use/r control systems, in order to promote meaningful dialogue between states on enhancing cooperation and strengthening end use/r controls in mitigating risk of arms diversion.

The project is expected to contribute towards supporting the practical and effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty.

In addition, dedicated project funding was received from the UN Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation (UNSCAR).

This conference is part of the project Tackling Diversion (Phase II): Promoting Regional Dialogue to Enhance Common Understanding and Cooperation to Strengthen End Use/r Control Systems