This side event to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly First Committee will map out the foundational elements of the Framework of Responsible Industry Behaviour for AI in the Military Domain and identify existing best practices and key stakeholder perspectives to inform its development.
The wider international community increasingly recognizes that the private sector plays a critical role in the responsible development and use of military AI. In response, in February 2026 UNIDIR launched a multi-year programme in partnership with OHCHR to develop a Framework of Responsible Industry Behaviour for AI in the Military Domain. The Framework seeks to establish a common baseline by providing industry with credible guidelines for responsible behaviour and giving governments and other stakeholders greater clarity on responsible AI procurement and public-private partnerships.
To map out the Framework’s foundational elements and existing best practices, UNIDIR and OHCHR are circulating three targeted questionnaires for industry, government and civil society. These aim to capture existing instruments for responsible industry behaviour and identify stakeholder expectations regarding compliance and responsibility.
This event, organized by UNIDIR’s Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security, will present the questionnaires, gather initial reactions and feedback from First Committee participants, and encourage engagement and wider dissemination. It will also take stock of existing perspectives and best practices that can support effective public-private partnerships. Participants will gain an overview of State, industry and civil society perspectives on the issues addressed by the Framework, as well as the next steps in its development.
Agenda
08:30-08:35 | Opening remarks
08:35-09:10 | Presentation of UNIDIR’s survey and overview of best practices
09:10-09:40 | Next steps
09:40-09:45 | Closing remarks and the way ahead
Speakers
- Dr Robin Geiss, Director, UNIDIR
- Amb Anne Lazar-Sury, Permanent Representative of France, Conference on Disarmament in Geneva
- Reto Wollenmann, Senior Advisor on AI and International Security, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland
Moderated by Dr Yasmin Afina, Researcher, Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security, UNIDIR.
Further details will be added in due course.
When and where
Friday, 23 October 2026 | 08:30 – 09:45 EDT | In person (Microsoft Office, One Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, New York).
Check your local time here.
Participants
The event is open to all.
Kindly note that space is limited and participation will be subject to UNIDIR’s final confirmation. Registration to the side event does not guarantee a place in the workshop.
RSVP
For in-person participation, please register here.
Further information
For any questions, please contact Dr Yasmin Afina at yasmin.afina@un.org.
A light breakfast and refreshments will be served prior to the side event.
In collaboration with
