Disarmament and International Security Committee

 In recent years, the international arms trade has been under fire for its role in worsening conflicts and enabling human rights abuses. Weapons sold by major exporters such as the United States, China, Russia, France, the United Kingdom have been linked to civilian deaths in conflicts. For example, the war in Yemen, where foreign supplied arms have been the leading cause in devastating airstrikes. Similar concerns have risen when weapons are sold to authoritarian governments, where they are often turned against civilians. These sales have raised urgent questions about accountability. Should exporting states be held responsible when their weapons are used to commit heinous acts, or is it the buyers fault? Without stronger global standards and oversight, the arms trade risks continuous cycles of violence that undermine international peace and security. 

 Lately, the global defense industry has been progressing rapidly, with countries competing for dominance in arms markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. This fierce competition has led to regional arms races, worsened conflicts, and has allowed for advanced weapons to fall into the hands of non-state actors, such as militias and terrorist groups. Countries like Saudi Arabia, India, and Egypt continue to import huge quantities of weapons, while exporters such as the United States, Russia, and China use arms deals to expand their influence. Some argue that profit has overtaken peace as the force that drives the defense industry. This creates instability that prolongs wars and major displacements. Unless stricter transparency and monitoring measures are put in place, the uncovered growth of arms trade will continue to threaten global security.