Marjorie Julien Participating in Arms Trade Treaty Working Group Meetings: 20-23 February 2024, Geneva, Switzerland

22nd February 2024

The Bahamas is currently participating in the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Working Groups from 20-23 February 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland, and is represented by Marjorie Julien, Head of the Multilateral and Political of Affairs Bureau.

Marjorie Julien attending the Arms Trade Treaty Working Group Sessions

The Working Group Meetings is part of the preparatory process of the 10th Conference of States Parties to be held on 19-23 August 2024. The ATT Working Group meetings aim to formulate recommendations to present to the 10th Conference of States Parties that would assist States to fully and effectively implement the Treaty based on international law and encourage other States who have not signed nor ratified the Treaty to do so.

The Bahamas became State Party to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), having ratified the Treaty on 25 September 2014, and which entered into force on 24 December 2014. Most notably, The Bahamas was amongst the first countries to have signed the Treaty upon its opening to signature on 3 June 2013. In this way, The Bahamas demonstrated its strong support and commitment to implementing the Arms Trade Treaty.

The Bahamas played a pivotal role, along with CARICOM in the adoption of the ATT. As a Small Island Developing State geographically dispersed and located in a strategic route for the trans-shipment of conventional arms and related trans-organized criminal activity, the illicit trade and use of small arms and light weapons represents an enormous challenge for The Bahamas and within the region. Thus, the universal implementation of this treaty is critical.

As a non-exporting State with limited conventional arm importation, The Bahamas heavily relies on the full and transparent implementation of the Treaty and its associated programmes, protocols and instruments.