Concluding remarks

Abstract

In the early 2000s, one of us organized a workshop in Berlin, funded by the Deutsche Stiftung Friedensforschung, on the question of whether arms control law is in crisis. Some of the contributions to this workshop were published in the Journal of Conflict and Security Law.1 If arms control and arms control law was in crisis in the early 2000s, today's situation might even be perceived as worse. The overall political climate, unfortunately, is not conducive to achieving progress on the many challenging topics that may be addressed via international law. This applies to international trade law, international finance law, international health law, international environmental law (with a particular focus on climate change and biodiversity law), international human rights law - and arms control law. Some governments have called for a revitalization of arms control and arms control law, and some have even taken practical steps to this end. However, apart from the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (with its various problems, politically and legally), not much has been realized so far. This Handbook is based upon our view that there is indeed a desperate need for progress in the field, also some need for reform, but above all a need to consolidate the field, and make the most of it.