Disarmament

Conceived as a comprehensive introduction to a field central to the work of the United Nations, Disarmament: A Basic Guide aims to provide a useful overview of the nuanced challenges of building a more peaceful world in the twenty-first century. It was written with the general reader in mind and it strives to be accessible without downplaying the complexity of the issues it explores. This fourth edition includes updated figures, tables and treaty statuses; new analysis of the key developments since 2012; discussion of two recently agreed legal instruments, the Arms Trade Treaty and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons; and a new chapter on emerging threats from cyber weaponry, unmanned combat aerial vehicles and lethal autonomous weapons systems.

The United Nations Disarmament Yearbook, volume 43 (Part II): 2018, with a foreword by the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, summarizes developments and trends in 2018 on key issues of multilateral consideration at the international and regional levels; reviews the activity of the General Assembly, the Conference on Disarmament and the Disarmament Commission; and contains a handy timeline of highlights of multilateral disarmament in 2018.

The Yearbook contains documentary materials of a legal character concerning the United Nations and related intergovernmental organizations (IGOs). Pursuant to resolution 1814 (XVII) of 18 December 1962, the General Assembly requested the Secretary-General to publish a juridical yearbook which would include certain documentary materials of a legal character concerning the United Nations and related intergovernmental organizations as presented in an outline annexed to the resolution. The United Nations Juridical Yearbook has since been published on an annual basis reviewing legal developments starting from 1963. In 1972, the General Assembly further refined the publication's outline, which since then has been made up of three substantive parts, divided into eight chapters covering different legal themes together with a fourth part containing an extensive bibliography.

The United Nations Disarmament Yearbook, volume 43 (Part II): 2018, with a foreword by the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, summarizes developments and trends in 2018 on key issues of multilateral consideration at the international and regional levels; reviews the activity of the General Assembly, the Conference on Disarmament and the Disarmament Commission; and contains a handy timeline of highlights of multilateral disarmament in 2018.

The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs is publishing this paper on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms. It aims to provide guidance in support of Member State participation in the Register. The text includes an overview of the Register for reference by Governments and the interested public, as well as original material to guide national points of contact in preparing and submitting reports for the Register. The second part of the paper contains the report of the 2022 Group of Governmental Experts on the continuing operation of the Register.

For twenty-five years, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has helped reduce the impact of explosive ordnance contamination on communities worldwide. The 2021 annual report highlights UNMAS activities, achievements, funding and expenditures. But in a larger sense, it tells the story of advancing fundamental building blocks of peace and security. Around the globe, mine action has opened roads, ensured more children can safely attend school and provided increased access to water sources, farmland, markets and health facilities. These efforts have also allowed more displaced civilians to return home free of the fear of explosive threats, facilitated the safe delivery of lifesaving humanitarian relief, and created a safer environment for peacekeepers. Despite this progress, needs continue to grow. In Afghanistan, vast tracts of contaminated land have only recently been made accessible to mine action teams. In Ethiopia and Myanmar, conflict is not only adding to contamination, but forcing fleeing civilians to navigate land littered with explosive remnants of war. The war in Ukraine has seen the use of enormous amounts of ordnance, including in populated urban areas, which will require mine action for decades to come. The increased use of Improvised Explosive Devices is also having greater impact on civilians and peacekeepers – as recognized by the Security Council and the General Assembly. As this report makes clear, mine action makes a real difference in the lives of people and communities.

The Conference on Disarmament submits to the seventy-first session of the General Assembly of the United Nations its annual report on its 2016 session, together with the pertinent documents and records.

This is the official report submitted annually to the General Assembly by the Conference on Disarmament on its 2018 session.

This publication examines the key role of parliamentary diplomacy in foreign affairs, focusing specifically on its influence in the field of disarmament. It analyses the impact parliamentarians can have on these issues, identifying a number of good practices and effective strategies. In addition, it offers specific policy recommendations and highlights resources available to strengthen the capacity of parliaments and other stakeholders to enhance and expand their influence in promoting effective disarmament agreements at the international level.

Firearms trafficking affects all parts of the world and impacts on society in multiple ways. It is a major concern in the context of human security, and it is central in law enforcement efforts and activities. Firearms are instrumental in much violence, particularly homicide; they are often used by organized criminals and they support operations related to armed conflicts and terrorism. The most common form of weapons trafficking involves small arms and light weapons; however, the character of this trafficking can vary significantly in different geographical contexts and in relation to different weapons. The 2020 Global Study on Firearms is responding to the requests (2010, 2016) by the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime on data collection and analysis related to trafficking in firearms.Building on the 2015 UNODC Study on Firearms, this report analyses the flows of firearms trafficking, the types of firearms that are trafficked, how this trafficking is conducted, how it is related to other types of crime and how firearms enter the illicit market.

El Anuario de Desarme de las Naciones Unidas, volumen 43 (Parte II): 2018, con un prólogo del Alto Representante para Asuntos de Desarme, resume los avances y tendencias en 2018 sobre cuestiones clave de consideración multilateral a nivel internacional y regional; examina la actividad de la Asamblea General, la Conferencia de Desarme y la Comisión de Desarme; y contiene una cronología útil de los aspectos más destacados del desarme multilateral en 2018.

Launched in 2019, the #Youth4Disarmament (Y4D) initiative of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) seeks to engage, educate and empower young people to facilitate their meaningful contribution to disarmament efforts. The “Spotlight Stories” section of the Y4D community website (https://www.youth4disarmament.org/youth_spotlight) offers a space for young people to share – in their own voices and from their own perspectives – why the work of disarmament is critical to building peace and how they are helping push the field forward. This compilation of stories reveals the hope for a better future shared by members of the largest generation in history, and it shows some of the diverse ways they are finding to pursue peace through disarmament in the twenty-first century.

The United Nations Disarmament Yearbook, Volume 46 (Part I): 2021 is a compilation of the resolutions and decisions of the 76th session of the General Assembly, the voting patterns in the General Assembly and the First Committee, lead sponsors, sponsors and co-sponsors, references to First Committee report and dates of adoption.

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.

The Conference on Disarmament submits to the seventy-first session of the General Assembly of the United Nations its annual report on its 2017 session, together with the pertinent documents and records.

The volume 41 (Part I) compiles the disarmament resolutions and decisions of the Seventy-first session of the General Assembly, the voting patterns in the General Assembly and the First Committee report and dates of their adoption.

International peace and security - and therefore disarmament - stand at the core of the UN mandate. This publication is designed to inform, educate and generate public understanding of the importance of multilateral action, and to rally support for it, in the field of arms limitation and disarmament. Intended primarily for the general reader, this basic guide may also be useful for the disarmament educator or trainer. It is published by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs in collaboration with the NGO (non-governmental organizations) Committee on Disarmament, Peace and Security pursuant to the purposes of the United Nations Disarmament Information Programme.

Conceived as a comprehensive introduction to a field central to the work of the United Nations, Disarmament: A Basic Guide aims to provide a useful overview of the nuanced challenges of building a more peaceful world in the twenty-first century. It was written with the general reader in mind and it strives to be accessible without downplaying the complexity of the issues it explores. This fourth edition includes updated figures, tables and treaty statuses; new analysis of the key developments since 2012; discussion of two recently agreed legal instruments, the Arms Trade Treaty and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons; and a new chapter on emerging threats from cyber weaponry, unmanned combat aerial vehicles and lethal autonomous weapons systems.

Conceived as a comprehensive introduction to a field central to the work of the United Nations, Disarmament: A Basic Guide aims to provide a useful overview of the nuanced challenges of building a more peaceful world in the twenty-first century. It was written with the general reader in mind and it strives to be accessible without downplaying the complexity of the issues it explores. This fourth edition includes updated figures, tables and treaty statuses; new analysis of the key developments since 2012; discussion of two recently agreed legal instruments, the Arms Trade Treaty and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons; and a new chapter on emerging threats from cyber weaponry, unmanned combat aerial vehicles and lethal autonomous weapons systems.

En las páginas siguientes el lector podrá aprender los conceptos básicos del desarme, incluidos los esfuerzos de las Naciones Unidas, los gobiernos y los grupos de la sociedad civil para reducir y abolir las armas que han causado tanta angustia y sufrimiento a tantas personas.

Concebida como una introducción completa a un campo central para la labor de las Naciones Unidas, Desarme: Una Guía Básica busca ofrecer una visión general útil de los diversos desafíos que plantea la construcción de un mundo más pacífico en el siglo XXI. Se redactó pensando en el público en general y busca ser accesible sin minimizar la complejidad de los temas que explora. Esta cuarta edición incluye cifras, tablas y estados de los tratados actualizados; un nuevo análisis de los principales avances desde 2012; un análisis de dos instrumentos jurídicos recientemente acordados, el Tratado sobre el Comercio de Armas y el Tratado sobre la Prohibición de las Armas Nucleares; y un nuevo capítulo sobre las amenazas emergentes derivadas de las armas cibernéticas, los vehículos aéreos de combate no tripulados y los sistemas de armas autónomas letales.

Discover the transformative journeys of 10 young leaders from around the globe in this inspiring collection of opinion pieces by alumni of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) youth programmes. These passionate advocates share how their experiences with UNODA empowered them to turn ideas into action—whether by creating groundbreaking initiatives, publishing influential educational resources, or rallying their communities for meaningful change. Each story reflects a unique perspective, shaped by diverse backgrounds, fields of focus, and ambitions. From tackling pressing global security challenges to reimagining disarmament in their own communities, these youth leaders exemplify the power of education and empowerment in impacting change. This publication is not just a testament to UNODA’s far-reaching influence—it’s a call to action for all who believe in the power of youth to shape a safer and more secure future. With voices as diverse as their accomplishments, this collection is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration, innovation, and hope for a disarmament-driven world.

The Conference on Disarmament submits to the United Nations General Assembly its annual report on its 2022 session together with the pertinent documents and records.

This publication contains the winning stories of the Republic of Korea-United Nations Sci-fAI Futures Youth Challenge. The challenge is a creative and thought-provoking initiative designed to engage young minds in imagining the future role of artificial intelligence (AI) in international peace and security. Young people from 13 to 29 submitted written or webtoon stories envisioning a fictional world in the year 2145 where AI would have been taken onboard by militaries around the world. Youth authors reflected on how AI could be used in or to prevent armed conflicts, its potential interactions with other emerging technologies, potential risks and positive scenarios in which AI is leveraged for good in the military domain.

The United Nations Disarmament Yearbook 2023 is the 48th volume and it summarizes developments and trends in 2023 on key issues of multilateral consideration at the international and regional levels. It reviews the activities of the General Assembly, the Conference on Disarmament and the Disarmament Commission. The yearbook also contains a timeline that highlights events in multilateral disarmament in 2023.

Following the recognition by a number of scientists in 1982 that a major nuclear war might have grave climatic effects with global implications, the General Assembly, by resolution 40/152 G of 16 December 1985, requested the Secretary-General to carry out a study on the climatic and potential physical effects of nuclear war, including nuclear winter, which would also examine its socio-economic consequences.

La Guía para la Implementación de la Convención sobre Armas Biológicas ha sido elaborada por la Oficina de las Naciones Unidas para Asuntos de Desarme (UNODA), con el apoyo de la Unión Europea y Noruega, y la colaboración de una amplia gama de expertos en la Convención sobre Armas Biológicas, para ayudar a los Estados Parte en sus esfuerzos por implementar la Convención a nivel nacional. La Guía tiene como objetivo principal ofrecer una visión general del proceso de implementación nacional y las obligaciones derivadas de la Convención. Está dirigida principalmente a los Estados Parte que están iniciando o ya participando en el proceso de implementación de la Convención, o a los Estados Parte interesados ​​en evaluar su marco de implementación. La Guía describe los tipos de medidas legislativas, reglamentarias y de otra índole que los Estados Parte pueden considerar desarrollar y adoptar para implementar eficazmente la Convención.

The Guide to Implementing the Biological Weapons Convention has been developed by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), with the support of the European Union and Norway and the contributions of a wide range of BWC experts, to assist States Parties in their efforts to implement the Convention at the national level. The Guide is primarily intended to provide an overview of the national implementation process and obligations stemming from the BWC. Its primary audience is States Parties initiating or already engaged in the BWC implementation process or States Parties interested in assessing their implementing framework. The Guide outlines the types of legislative, regulatory and other measures that States Parties may consider developing and adopting in order to effectively implement the BWC.

Armed violence, the subject of this publication, represents one of the most damaging security problems for Central America’s inhabitants. Violent deaths caused by firearms in countries in the region comprise between 70 and 90 per cent. Regulatory frameworks in different countries seem to be inadequate in controlling firearms used in acts of violence. This study aims to address the lack of information and analysis on matters such as the role of Governments in restraining violence and controlling the availability of firearms, the impact of transnational organized crime, and the porosity of borders and corruption. It also concludes that armed violence does not affect all members of society, such as women and youth, in the same way.

This publication has been developed by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), with the support of the European Union, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the Biological Weapons Convention. By bringing together different stakeholders, including, among others, experts and practitioners from the diplomatic field, academia and civil society, the publication highlights the achievements and obstacles encountered over the past fifty years, current discussions related to the strengthening of the Convention as well as future opportunities and challenges.

Le Guide de mise en œuvre de la Convention sur les armes biologiques a été élaboré par le Bureau des affaires de désarmement des Nations Unies (UNODA), avec le soutien de l’Union européenne et de la Norvège, ainsi que la contribution de nombreux experts de la Convention sur les armes biologiques, afin d’aider les États parties à mettre en œuvre la Convention au niveau national. Ce guide vise principalement à donner un aperçu du processus national de mise en œuvre et des obligations découlant de la Convention. Il s’adresse principalement aux États parties qui ont lancé ou sont déjà engagés dans le processus de mise en œuvre de la Convention, ou aux États parties souhaitant évaluer leur cadre de mise en œuvre. Il décrit les types de mesures législatives, réglementaires et autres que les États parties peuvent envisager d’élaborer et d’adopter afin de mettre en œuvre efficacement la Convention.

The Conference on Disarmament submits to the United Nations General Assembly its annual report on its 2024 session together with the pertinent documents and records.

The objective of this handbook is to compile basic knowledge and means for artificial intelligence (AI) practitioners to understand, evaluate and mitigate, in the research and innovation process, the risks of the diversion and misuse of civilian AI technology by irresponsible actors. The handbook shows why and how decisions around the development and diffusion of research and innovation can impact risks of misuse, and in turn generate risks or even opportunities for international peace and security.

This is the annual report submitted to the General Assembly by the Disarmament Commission for 2024.