Lack of controls on the arms trade fuels conflict, poverty and human rights abuses worldwide.
Oxfam is a part of the Control Arms campaign, a global coalition demanding governments toughen up controls on the arms trade and introduce an international Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) that stop arms being sold to those likely to misuse them.
On 2 April 2013, history was made as the Arms Trade Treaty - the first agreement to control global arms sales - received an overwhelming 'yes' vote at the United Nations in New York.
This momentous Treaty is the culmination of more than ten years of campaigning to rein in the irresponsible trade in arms that causes so much human suffering.
It could not have happened without the work of Oxfam supporters, and immense efforts from Control Arms partners and governments around the world.
Oxfam in New York, March 18-29, 2013
Oxfam's Control Arms Coordinator, Luke Roughton, was in New York for the final round of negotiations - as part of the official NZ delegation.
Follow Luke on Twitter @LukeRoughton
Read Luke's blogs from New York
A clear voice from New Zealand
Between Oxfam, Amnesty International NZ and the New Zealand Red Cross, we gathered more than 9000 signatures supporting a motion calling on every government to support the establishment of an Arms Trade Treaty. In particular, we called on Pacific governments to honour their pledge to jointly support such an ATT. The signatures were handed to the NZ government.
Through our advocacy work we succeeded in getting a motion in support of the ATT passed unanimously through Parliament. Check out the first minute of this video:
In pictures: Oxfam's One Shot Arms Trade Treaty campaign
Arms Trade Treaty: What we called for
Oxfam and our partners believe an Arms Trade Treaty must hold governments accountable. It must be based on states’ existing legal obligations to international humanitarianlaw and UN Charters.
Watch: A Short Film About Guns
This short film examines the illegal arms trade and how it functions across the globe.
Oxfam New Zealand supports peace-building work in the Pacific
Oxfam New Zealand is working with partners in the Pacific, supporting peace-building and conflict-resolution initiatives.
Latest news
States vote for first ever Arms Trade Treaty
April 3, 2013Campaigners today say the vote for the first ever global treaty to bring the international arms trade under control marks “an incredible moment.”
Final conference on Arms Trade Treaty
March 26, 2013Control Arms coalition calls on Chair not to cave in to pressure from India and P5 as new text falls short
Make history
March 19, 2013Governments from over 190 member states have a second chance to make history this month by agreeing the first ever Arms Trade Treaty, when meet in New York for two weeks of negotiations at the United Nations. An Arms Trade Treaty will control the international supply of arms and ammunition.
Latest blogs
Nameless victims deserve Arms Treaty
March 28, 2013
There are thousands, millions, of names we must remember. Victims of gun violence will never have the chance to speak out against the horrific and destructive consequences of the unregulated flow of arms around the world
Update from New York 4
July 30, 2012
On Friday last week we saw a very disappointing end to the ATT negotiating conference. In the final hours, when it was looking possible that consensus would be achieved on the draft Treaty text, the United States made a statement asking for more time to negotiate, effectively expressing that they would not support the adoption of the ATT during the conference. This seemed to spur on a few other countries such as Russia, North Korea, Cuba and Venezuela, who then all made similar statements to that effect.
Update from New York 3
July 27, 2012
Luke Roughton, Oxfam's Control Arms Coordinator, reports from the UN Arms Trade Treaty negotiations in New York. Part 3.