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What is the VTF?VTF AimDonors to the VTFVTF Selection Committee VTF Selection Committee Chair's CommunicationFurther information

What is the VTF?

Article 16(3) of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) provides for the establishment of a Voluntary Trust Fund (VTF) to support national implementation of the Treaty and encourages all States Parties to contribute resources to the Fund.


The VTF was formally established in August 2016 by the Second Conference of States Parties to operate under its approved Terms of Reference (ATT/CSP2/2016/WP3/Rev.1). The VTF shall disburse funds to ATT implementation projects according to the provisions of its Terms of Reference and Administrative Rules. Where necessary, OECD DAC guidelines for development cooperation may also apply.


The operation of the VTF is governed by the following:

VTF Aim

 The VTF aims to assist requesting States requiring international assistance to implement their Treaty obligations, including with respect to legal or legislative assistance, institutional capacity building, and technical, material and financial assistance.

Donors to the VTF

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Argentina ​ ​ ​ ​Australia ​ ​ ​ ​Austria ​ ​ ​ Bulgaria ​ ​ ​ ​Canada

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Costa Rica ​ ​ ​ ​Cyprus ​ ​ ​ ​Czech Republic ​ ​ ​Finland ​ ​ ​ ​France

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Germany ​ ​ ​ ​Ireland ​ ​ ​Japan ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Madegascar ​ ​ ​Mexico

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Montenegro ​ ​ ​ ​Netherlands ​ ​ ​New Zealand ​ ​ ​Norway ​ ​ ​ ​Philippines

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Poland ​ ​ ​ ​Portugal ​ ​ ​ ​Republic of Korea ​ ​ ​Slovenia ​ ​ ​ ​Spain

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Sweden ​ ​ ​ ​Switzerland ​ ​ United Kingdom ​ ​ ​Government of Flanders, Belgium


VTF Selection Committee

A Selection Committee consisting of up to 15 seats supports the administration of the VTF. Members of the Selection Committee serve for two years and are eligible for reappointment. 


The 10 members of the VTF Selection Committee were appointed by CSP10 and will serve until CSP12. These members are: Canada, Côte d'Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Finland, Germany, Japan, Latvia, Republic of Korea, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. In October 2024, Ambassador Thomas Göbel of Germany has been selected as Chair of the VTF Selection Committee for two years concluding at CSP12 via silence procedure. In April 2025, the United Kingdom withdrew from the VTF Selection Committee. In October 2025, France was appointed as a member of the VTF Selection Committee via a silence procedure.

VTF Selection Committee Chair's Communication

As part of the VTF's operationalization, the VTF Selection Committee makes a regular Call for Voluntary Contributions to the Fund as well as an annual Call for Proposals.


The most recent communications from the VTF Selection Committee are available here:

        

Further information

For more information on the VTF see the following:

Frequently Asked Questions

VTF Information Brochure


For any VTF related enquiries, please contact: trustfund@thearmstradetreaty.org