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What happened in July... and what next

In July 2012 the United Nations hosted talks to agree the first Arms Trade Treaty. On the final day of the month-long negotiations a small number of the 193 countries gathered at the UN wasted the opportunity to make history. Led by the US, one by one they scuppered the chance to disarm dictators, war lords and child soldiers by stalling agreement. But it is nowhere near over.
 
An incredible 12,000 of you wrote to members of the UK government, urging them to stand firm on human rights in the final hours of talks to agree an Arms Trade Treaty. Your voice was heard loud and clear and the UK did us proud. Thanks in no small part to your hard work, and the commitment of the UK government to a robust treaty, the talks ended with a reasonable draft treaty and a second chance. 

It's not over - final negotiating conference now set for March 2013

Fake tombstones are placed along the East River by members of the Control Arms Coalition to coincide with a diplomatic conference on the future Arms Trade Treaty in New York. © Control Arms/ Andrew Kelly

The 2012 UN General Assembly saw the largest show of support yet for an Arms Trade Treaty, with an incredible 157 states voting in favour of agreeing a final text this March. 

Even before the vote, 110 governments from across the world had shown their support for the Treaty. Argentina, Australia, Costa Rica, Finland, Japan, Kenya and the United Kingdom had proposed the vote, and they were backed up by 103 other governments. 

Of the biggest arms exporters - China, France, Germany, UK, USA and Russia - known as the 'big six', only Russia abstained from the vote. All the others, including China, showed support for the Treaty. 

This vote is a good development, and we're optimistic that we can still get the Arms Trade Treaty we have all worked so hard for. It won't be easy - there is a lot to do to keep up the pressure between now and the final talks - but we will not give up until our dream becomes a reality.