Division 1 Objectives

The objectives of the Decision are: to pursue the development of cooperation between civil society, industry, and government representatives in China, the European Union, and the African continent; to develop common approaches to address the threat posed by the illicit trade and excessive accumulation of SALW; and to support the United Nations (UN) Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) process up to, at and beyond the ATT 2012 diplomatic conference. Such objectives are to be pursued through the establishment and development of a joint African-EU-Chinese Expert Working Group on conventional arms (hereinafter ‘EWG’), and of a joint African-EU-Chinese Research Centre on conventional arms (hereinafter ‘RC’). The objective of the EWG and the RC shall be to increase awareness and engagement by the policy community in China, Africa, and the Union on problems associated with the illegal trade and excessive accumulation of SALW, and on the need for agreement on an ATT.

The objective of strengthened cooperation between China, the Union, and Africa shall also be sought by conducting advocacy and research activities aimed at identifying opportunities for EU-China cooperation to support African States in preventing the illegal trade in and excessive accumulation of SALW.