Building a more secure world.

Initiative

UNIDIR’s Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security

Event

Outer Space Security Conference 2026

Publication

Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East: The Role of the WMD-Free Zone Initiative

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is an autonomous institution within the United Nations that conducts independent research on disarmament and international security issues.

Building a more secure world.

UNIDIR’s Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security

Outer Space Security Conference 2026

Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East: The Role of the WMD-Free Zone Initiative

UNIDIR’s work focuses on:

Nuclear weapons

Science and technology

Conflict prevention and peacebuilding

Interconnected global risks

Inclusive global security

Cyber security

Conventional weapons

Chemical and biological weapons

Artificial intelligence

Missiles and drones

Space security

Disarmament fora

UNIDIR’s programmes and projects

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Latest publications

Benchmark III: Use Cases – Insights from the Global Conference on AI, Security and Ethics 2025

Benchmark II: Technology – Insights from the Global Conference on AI, Security and Ethics 2025

Benchmark I: Governance – Insights from the Global Conference on AI, Security and Ethics 2025

Scenario Compendium for the Legal, Operational and Technical Analysis of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems

Steps Towards a Voluntary Trust Fund for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

Small Arms and Light Weapons Flows and Transfer Controls

Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Trends in the Middle East: Report of the Middle East WMD-Free Zone Project (2023–2026)

Toolkit: Addressing Weapons-Related Risks in Women, Peace and Security National Action Plans

Understanding the Legacies of Drug Use in Armed Groups in the North East of Nigeria

Upcoming events

Directed energy weapon developments in counter-UAS defence

Due diligence in cyberspace: National interpretations and their relevance for international law

Outer Space Security Conference 2026

News

A new home for AI governance

Highlights

Advancing representative and inclusive AI governance with UNIDIR’s Women in AI Fellowship

Kenyan communities break silence on small arms and insecurity

UNIDIR conference to spotlight how AI is reshaping global security

Videos

Preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence

Militarizing neurotechnology

2026 Training on Norms, International Law and Cyberspace: Cyber governance in ten years

Is AI neutral?

A turning point for cyber governance: Lessons from the OEWG on ICTs

Drones in conflict: A growing security challenge

How to use UNIDIR’s Nuclear Weapon-Free Zones Hub

2026 Training on Norms, International Law and Cyberspace: Training highlights

Security at sea: Old and new threats

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to help us build a more secure world.