Following the Federal Aviation Administration’s rollout of final regulations governing the use of certain commercial drones in the National Airspace, Defense News reports that the United States has taken steps to facilitate the future adoption of global standards for exports of armed unmanned aerial systems (UAS). At a recent Arms Trade Treaty review conference in Geneva, the U.S. Department of State (State) confidentially circulated draft guidelines entitled Proposed Joint Declaration of Principles for the Export and Subsequent Use of Armed or Strike-Enabled Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

The draft Joint Declaration reportedly identifies several principles for any future international norms associated with the sale, transfer, and subsequent use of armed UAS. Press reports indicate that the principles include an affirmation of the applicability of international legal and human rights measures to the use of armed UAS, consideration of the potential recipient country’s adherence to international obligations and commitments, and appropriate transparency measures, among others. Press reports indicate that the United States may publicly announce any signatories to the Joint Declaration at the upcoming United Nations meetings in October.