On 1 November 2008, 147 states at the United Nations voted overwhelmingly to move forward with work on an Arms Trade Treaty. The Control Arms campaign, which represents millions of campaigners around the world, welcomed the vote but called for more urgency from states to advance the process quickly and ensure a strong Treaty with human rights and development at its heart.

The Treaty was supported by 145 states and 2 others subsequently added their names; an increase on the 139 states that voted to start the UN process in October 2006, showing increasing global consensus in favour of the treaty. Of the 145 yes voters, 116 states also co-sponsored the resolution. The vote was particularly strong in Africa, South and Central America and Europe, indicating demand for arms control both from countries severely affected by armed violence and from major exporters. Only the US and Zimbabwe voted against, ignoring increasing global consensus for an Arms Trade Treaty.

Brian Wood from Amnesty International said "this big vote today moves the world closer to an Arms Trade Treaty with respect for human rights at its heart, the only way such a treaty can really stop the carnage. Today's decision is that the principles of the UN Charter and other state obligations must be considered central to the Treaty. It is shameful that the US and Zimbabwe governments have taken an unprincipled stand today against a Treaty that would save so many lives and livelihoods."

Every day, over 1,000 people are killed directly with firearms and many thousands more die indirectly as a consequence of armed violence or are driven from their homes, forced off their land, raped, tortured or maimed. Since the UN process started in December 2006, approximately 695,000 people have been killed directly with firearms, illustrating the urgent need for an Arms Trade Treaty. Any further delay means more lost lives.

"This vote is a victory for the millions of campaigners in countries around the world," said Mark Marge from the International Action Network on Small Arms. "But we cannot afford to rest. All those against the misuse of arms will continue to pressure their governments to move quickly to implement a strong, legally binding treaty."