Disarmament Orientation Course

The Disarmament Orientation Course provides knowledge and deeper understanding of key concepts of disarmament and arms control as well as the 21st century global security landscape.

To support the Geneva diplomatic community in its disarmament and arms control efforts in an increasingly complex security environment, the annual Disarmament Orientation Course introduces newly arrived diplomats to the Geneva disarmament fora and the topics at stake. The course is jointly offered by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and the Geneva Branch of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).

The course aims to promote an enhanced understanding of relevant disarmament and arms control concepts, issues and mechanisms; to increase levels of participation in Geneva-based processes and discussions; and to foster relationships of trust within the Geneva-based disarmament community.

Dr Ángel V. Horna (Peru) shares his experience of the course (subtitles EN/ES)
Over the course of two weeks, five in-depth modules address current trends and developments in key thematic topics, including weapons of mass destruction, conventional weapons, space, missiles, information and communications technology, artificial intelligence, lethal autonomous weapon systems and cybersecurity, as well as cross-cutting topics such as gender, civil society, youth, human-centered disarmament and the New Agenda for Peace.

The course is open to diplomats or officials with responsibilities for disarmament and arms control matters who have recently arrived in Geneva. The next edition will take place foreseeably in September 2025.

For any questions or queries, please contact: doc@un.org

*The 2024 agenda and select course material are now available below.

2024 Disarmament Orientation Course Modules

Key learning objectives

Understand the relationship and interactions between global political and security environment, disarmament diplomacy and efforts of the Geneva based disarmament community.
Introduce key components of the multilateral disarmament machinery including Geneva based structure/bodies, roles, dynamics, procedures and organizational support provided by the Secretariat.

Topics

The global security context and negotiations towards the Pact for the Future: an overview of current and recent developments and their implications for arms control and disarmament.
The role of the disarmament community and machinery in Geneva, including the Conference on Disarmament and other mechanisms within and outside the UN.
Institutional, substantive and organizational support provided by the Secretariat.
The catalyst role of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and the linkages between disarmament and development.
Cross-cutting topics: youth perspectives and human-centered disarmament.

Key learning objectives

Introduce key elements of the disarmament machinery.
Understand the key agreements and issues in disarmament and non-proliferation, and acquire an overview of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), verification, and consequences of nuclear weapons use.
Understand the key issues and treaties related to biological weapons and an overview of the challenges and opportunities related to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).
Acquire knowledge about gender perspectives on WMD.
Take stock of recent developments, ongoing preparatory processes and provide reflections for moving forward in multilateral negotiations (Conference on Disarmament subsidiary bodies, BWC Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention, BWC Meeting of States Parties, NPT PrepCom, TPNW Meeting of States Parties)

Topics

The role, history, evolution and current status of the disarmament machinery.
NPT review cycle, NPT related issues and opportunities.
TPNW Meeting of States Parties.
BWC and the Working Group process.
Gender perspectives.
Further cross-cutting topics: civil society, youth perspectives, human-centered disarmament and the New Agenda for Peace.

Key learning objectives

Understand the key issues and current developments relating to international conventions that prohibit or restrict the use of certain types of conventional weapons.
Understand the key issues and current developments relating to international treaties and processes that regulate the transfer and use of conventional weapons and ammunition.
Taking stock and preparing ongoing multilateral negotiations (ATT CSP10, EWIPA, CCW, APMBC, CCM and UNPoA RevCon)

Topics

Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW)
Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC)
Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM)
The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and other processes that regulate the transfer and use of conventional weapons and ammunition
Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA)
Weapons and Ammunition Management
Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management
Cross-cutting topics: gender, civil society, youth perspectives, human-centered disarmament and the New Agenda for Peace

Key learning objectives

Understand the key issues and emerging challenges for multilateral governance of space, missiles, and related technologies.
Acquire an overview of current multilateral processes on outer space security and missile technologies.
Take stock of recent developments, ongoing preparatory processes and provide reflections for moving forward in multilateral negotiations.

Topics

Prevention of an arms race in outer space: the two upcoming Open-Ended Working Groups, differing approaches to space security (behaviours versus capabilities; legally binding or politically binding instruments) and advances in dual-use space technologies.
Missiles: Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Hague Code of Conduct, long-range conventional strike weapons, self-detonating drones and hypersonic weapons.
Cross-cutting topics: gender, civil society, youth perspectives, human-centered disarmament and the New Agenda for Peace.

Key learning objectives

Introduce the different processes and concepts; participants will be familiarized with the main concepts surrounding these topics, milestones and significant upcoming events.
Take stock of recent developments, ongoing preparatory processes and provide reflections for moving forward in multilateral negotiations.

Topics

CCW Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS), the main concepts relating to LAWS, an overview of proposals made to date on LAWS governance and information on upcoming processes at the CCW and General Assembly.
The status of current multilateral negotiations in the cyber domain, including a brief historical recap (OEWG, past GGEs, and the Ad Hoc Committee on cybercrime); the main achievements of and remaining points of contention in the current OEWG.
The integration of AI in the military domain beyond lethal autonomous weapon systems, including the nascent efforts at the national and international level to move towards responsible approaches and behaviours.
Cross-cutting topics: gender, civil society, youth perspectives, human-centered disarmament and the New Agenda for Peace