The conference was organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Ministry of the Interior of the Government of the Republic of Rwanda. The Rwandan authorities continued to receive ICRC technical support for promoting regional harmonization of legislation to control the trafficking of small arms and light weapons, and for mobilizing regional support and African participation in the negotiations on the Arms Trade Treaty. During the meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Regional Center on Small Arms (RECSA) hosted by Rwanda, representatives from 10 countries, including six ministers in charge of security matters in their respective countries (Burundi, the DRC, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania), discussed the Arms Trade Treaty and received support in ratifying and implementing IHL instruments domestically.