The Arms Trade Treaty is a tool promoting cooperation, transparency and responsible action by States Parties in the arms trade. It also aims to prevent and eradicate the illicit trade in conventional arms and prevent their diversion to unauthorized users. It is noted that the arms trade often goes hand in hand with their diversion, their widespread and uncontrolled availability, and their illicit traffic.

In light of this, the Republic of Madagascar sought the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) technical assistance to support the Malagasy authorities in the implementation of the ATT, despite the fact that the political arena where factors such as general elections and other strategic considerations tend to generate conflicting priorities among political leaders, the authorities agreed that UNREC can conduct missions to help the country fulfil its commitments towards the ATT Secretariat.

The project funded by the ATT voluntary trust fund started by an exploration mission in Antananarivo, Republic of Madagascar in September 2018 in the framework of the launching of project related to: Appropriation of the ATT Issues for the National Authorities, the Private Sector and Civil Society. Conducted by the Director of UNREC, the aim of this mission was to inform, sensitize and advocate on the appropriation of the ATT by the government of Madagascar.