The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) will hold its annual Innovations Dialogue, under the theme Electromagnetic disruption, peace and security. The seventh edition of the conference will take place on 11 November at the Geneva Graduate Institute and online, examining how this rising challenge is affecting communications, navigation systems, critical infrastructure and security.
From mobile phones, GPS and satellites to air traffic control, emergency services and drones, modern societies and military operations increasingly depend on access to and control of the electromagnetic spectrum. As competition within this domain intensifies, disruptions to the spectrum are emerging as a serious challenge for international peace and security.
UNIDIR’s Innovations Dialogue 2026 will examine what these developments mean for conflict, strategic stability and global governance. Discussions will cover the impact on military capabilities and the vulnerabilities created by dependence on connected systems. Participants will also explore how arms control and disarmament frameworks can adapt to this changing security landscape.
Mostly invisible, the electromagnetic spectrum is becoming a defining feature of modern warfare. As dependence on this domain grows, understanding the risks of disruption is essential to safeguarding both security and stability.
Dr Robin Geiss, UNIDIR Director
Recent UNIDIR analysis has shown how electronic warfare is shaping innovation in uncrewed aerial systems, with militaries increasingly adapting platforms and operational concepts to function in contested electromagnetic environments. As technologies change in response to spectrum-related vulnerabilities, policymakers face new questions about the implications for conflict, stability and international security governance.
Despite its significance for security and conflict, the electromagnetic spectrum remains relatively underexplored within arms control and disarmament discussions. The conference will provide an opportunity to consider how existing governance frameworks can adapt to the realities of 21st-century conflict and technological change.
To register for the event, visit UNIDIR’s website. For further information, please contact Claudia Marquina, UNIDIR Head of Communications at claudia.marquina@un.org.
About UNIDIR
The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is a voluntarily funded, autonomous institution within the United Nations. One of the few policy institutes worldwide focusing on disarmament, UNIDIR generates knowledge and promotes dialogue and action on disarmament and security. Based in Geneva, UNIDIR assists the international community in developing solutions to critical security problems. For more information, visit unidir.org.