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United Nations Disarmament Yearbook 2023: Preview Edition
The United Nations Disarmament Yearbook is a concise reference tool on disarmament non-proliferation and arms control issues. It includes developments and trends a convenient issue-oriented timeline and explanatory graphics and charts. Its annex on resolutions status of treaties and other resources offers a one-stop shop to access recommended 2022 information materials including publications and key databases. The present edition is a condensed version that provides an easy-to-read format of the publication earlier in the year.
Acknowledgements
Volume 48 of the United Nations Disarmament Yearbook like previous editions was a collaborative effort to which the staff of the Office for Disarmament Affairs devoted considerable time and effort. It was prepared under the overall direction of the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu and the Director of the Office Adedeji Ebo. We sincerely thank all colleagues who contributed to this publication on behalf of other funds programmes entities and organizations.
Disarmament machinery
While components of the disarmament machinery remained stagnant in 2023 the year saw some positive developments particularly around the Disarmament Commission’s achievement of consensus recommendations for the first time since 2017. Those recommendations concerning the practical implementation of transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space activities came six years after the Commission submitted a substantive report to the General Assembly on confidence-building measures in the field of conventional arms. On another encouraging note the Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters concluded its two-year programme of work on the topic of global military spending presenting a set of practical proposals aimed at curbing and reversing the upward trend of expenditure.
Foreword
Welcome to the enhanced preview edition of the 2023 United Nations Disarmament Yearbook. The Yearbook now in its forty-eighth volume provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of recent developments and trends in the field of disarmament non-proliferation and arms control including the relevant activities and achievements of the United Nations and other actors. The aim of this early-release publication is to share key findings from the Yearbook at an earlier stage and provide a concise exploration of disarmament-related developments and trends from 2023.
Regional disarmament
In 2023 despite the wars in Ukraine and Gaza exacerbating tensions regional activities in support of disarmament non-proliferation and arms control continued to endure. The goals of the year’s regional disarmament efforts ranged from preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to countering the illicit manufacturing of and trade in conventional arms particularly small arms light weapons and their ammunition. The United Nations engaged coordinated and facilitated cooperation with States regional and subregional organizations relevant international organizations and civil society including through exchanges and dialogues capacity-building projects and information campaigns.
Guide to the user
The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs publishes the United Nations Disarmament Yearbook as a concise reference tool for diplomats researchers students and the general public on disarmament non-proliferation and arms control issues under consideration by the international community.
Biological and chemical weapons
In 2023 the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) continued to deliver on its mandate and commitment to ensuring the full and effective implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development Production Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (Chemical Weapons Convention). OPCW marked several milestones during the year including the inauguration and immediate start of operations of its Centre for Chemistry and Technology (ChemTech Centre) the convening of the fifth special session of the Conference of the States Parties to review the operation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (fifth Review Conference) and the end of the destruction of all declared chemical weapons stockpiles.
Global governance and System-wide coordination
The progress made in implementing the Youth Strategy across the UN System is largely attributed to the strategic guidance of the Youth2030 High-level Steering Committee (HLSC). This intergenerational committee leverages the expertise of UN leadership alongside insights and solutions from youth networks. Technical leadership from the Joint Working Group (JWG) and the focused efforts of time-bound and issue-specific Task Teams have also played pivotal roles.
Executive Summary
The fourth edition of the Youth2030 Progress Report provides an overview of the implementation of the Youth Strategy across the United Nations (UN) system. The report is being launched against the backdrop of emerging opportunities for meaningful youth engagement in policymaking and decision-making processes including at the UN but also marked by multiple global crises that have led to the Sustainable Development Goals being severely off track.
Architecture and capacities to deliver on Youth2030
Meaningful youth engagement in the UN System
Foreword
The world stands at a crossroads facing existential threats that transcend borders and generations – from conflicts to climate chaos to deepening inequalities.