Role of the Secretariat

The ATT Secretariat manages the collection of information, including reports submitted by States Parties, their nominated points of contact, and their national control lists. The ATT Secretariat also supports the ATT process by helping to organise conferences of States Parties and intersessional work.

The ATT Secretariat also administers the Voluntary Trust Fund established by States Parties under Article 16(3) of the Treaty to assist states’ implementation of the Treaty. In addition, the Fourth Conference of States Parties entrusted the ATT Secretariat with the administration of the ATT Sponsorship Programme, established to facilitate the participation of State representives in ATT meetings.

Article 18 - Secretariat

1. This Treaty hereby establishes a Secretariat to assist States Parties in the effective implementation of this Treaty. Pending the first meeting of the Conference of States Parties, a provisional Secretariat will be responsible for the administrative functions covered under this Treaty.
2. The Secretariat shall be adequately staffed. Staff shall have the necessary expertise to ensure that the Secretariat can effectively undertake the responsibilities described in paragraph 3.
3. The Secretariat shall be responsible to States Parties. Within a minimized structure, the Secretariat shall undertake the following responsibilities:
   1. Receive, make available and distribute the reports as mandated by this Treaty;
      
   2. Maintain and make available to States Parties the list of national points of contact;
   3. Facilitate the matching of offers of and requests for assistance for Treaty implementation and promote international cooperation as requested;
   4. Facilitate the work of the Conference of States Parties, including making arrangements and providing the necessary services for meetings under this Treaty; and
   5. Perform other duties as decided by the Conferences of States Parties.