The Final Countdown: A historic opportunity to deliver an arms trade treaty that saves lives

Across the world 2,000 people die each day from armed violence. Crucial negotiations for an arms trade treaty are taking place at the United Nations throughout July 2012. Oxfam's eBook 'The Final Countdown' explores the devastating impact of the arms trade and explains what the new treaty must contain if it is to be effective. It calls for strong and legally binding wording and explains the importance of clauses on ammunition and parts and components used to make weapons. It makes the case for criteria on socio-economic development, because a poorly regulated arms trade weakens the ability and willingness of governments to sustain progress. The report argues that without all these elements the treaty will fail to deliver.