[New recording] ASIL 2025 closing plenary: Can arms trade bring about peace?
Published 29 April 2025
The world is rearming. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, world military expenditure rose 9.4 per cent in real terms to $2718 billion in 2024. Against this backdrop, the 2025 Annual Meeting of the American Society of International Law (ASIL) closed with a vital question: Can arms trade bring about peace? The full video of the session, held on 18 April at the Washington Hilton, is now available online.
The panel brought together legal scholars, policy professionals, and human rights experts to examine whether international law can address the risks and consequences of wrongful arms transfers, particularly in light of conflicts such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine.
Growing mismatch
The plenary explored whether existing legal frameworks are adequate for preventing wrongful or negligent arms transfers. The discussion pointed to the growing mismatch between conventional legal tools and the evolving nature of warfare, where weapons are increasingly used in non-traditional ways by both state and non-state actors.
A live audience poll underscored the diversity of views on this issue. Out of 157 participants:
- 7.6% strongly agreed that arms trade could bring about peace
- 38.2% somewhat agreed
- 34.4% disagreed
- 19.7% strongly disagreed
These results reflect the session’s central theme: more public debate and stakeholder engagement is necessary to contend with this complex issue.
The session was moderated by León Castellanos-Jankiewicz, senior researcher at the Asser Institute, and supported by the Municipality of The Hague and the T.M.C. Asser Instituut. The plenary forms part of ASIL’s broader theme for this year: Traditions and transitions in international law.
Opening remarks were delivered by ASIL President Mélida Hodgson, followed by a welcome speech by Mariëlle Vavier, Deputy Mayor of The Hague. Vavier emphasised the city’s long-standing commitment to peace, justice, and international cooperation. Panelists included Lana Baydas (American Bar Association), Allison McManus (Center for American Progress), Josh Paul (A New Policy) and Leila Sadat (Washington University St Louis).
Watch the full recording.
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