Security & Defense

#32026D0612Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/612 of 16 March 2026 in support of a global reporting mechanism on illicit conventional arms and their ammunition (‘iTrace VI’)

🇪🇺European Union··Other·Medium Impact·View source ↗

AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.

🇬🇧 English

This EU Council Decision provides EUR 6 million in funding for the sixth phase of the iTrace project run by Conflict Armament Research. It establishes a global information management system to track diverted or trafficked conventional arms and ammunition found in conflict zones. The project delivers field investigations, weapon tracing, training for national authorities in conflict-affected states, and direct support to EU Member States’ arms export control authorities including a 24-hour help desk, post-shipment verification, and secure dashboards for real-time diversion alerts. Building on five previous phases since 2013, iTrace VI aims to improve evidence-based policy making, reduce diversion risks, and strengthen implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty and UN Programme of Action on SALW.

AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.

Key Changes

  • Provides EUR 6 000 000 EU funding for iTrace VI over 36 months
  • Establishes global database and dashboards for tracking diverted conventional arms and ammunition in conflict areas
  • Requires training and mentoring of national authorities in conflict-affected states on arms identification and tracing

+ 3 more changes with Pro

Obligations

What this law requires

high

Maintain a user-friendly global information management system (iTrace) documenting diverted or trafficked conventional arms and ammunition in conflict-affected areas to provide policy-makers and arms export control officers with relevant information

Conflict Armament Research (iTrace project implementer), EU Member States
operational
high

Provide training and mentoring to national authorities in conflict-affected states to develop sustainable national illicit conventional arms identification and tracing capacity

Conflict Armament Research (iTrace project implementer)
operational
high

Conduct enhanced field research into conventional arms and ammunition illegally circulating in conflict-affected areas to generate iTrace data in response to demands from Member States and Union delegations

Conflict Armament Research (iTrace project implementer)
operational
high

Provide tailored support to Member State arms export control authorities including repeat consultative visits, a 24-hour help desk for risk assessment and counter-diversion advice, and secure dashboard applications for real-time post-export diversion notifications

Conflict Armament Research (iTrace project implementer), EU Member States arms export control authorities
operational
medium

Provide post-shipment verification by iTrace project staff to Member States upon request

Conflict Armament Research (iTrace project implementer), EU Member States
operational

Affected Parties

EU Member State arms export control authoritiesnational authorities in conflict-affected states+3 more…

Tags

illicit arms trafficking,weapon tracing,arms export control