Uncrewed systems – which include uncrewed aerial, ground, and maritime systems – are increasingly being developed and used by a wide range of state and non-state actors in the military realm. The increased development and use, by a range of actors, of uncrewed systems has also been enabled by lower costs of production and a range of technological advances which have made these systems easier to use, over longer periods of time, and with additional and more advanced capabilities.
The attractiveness – and use – of such systems has grown over recent years. Moreover, the combination of these elements also raises important questions about proliferation and misuse, as well as regulatory measures and countermeasures.
Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs, often referred to as “drones”) are viewed with particular concern as regards the implications of the growing proliferation and use to international peace and security.
Transparency, arms control, counter-proliferation measures, and broader policy, legal and operational frameworks governing the use of uncrewed systems are critical aspects to ensuring that these systems are used by legitimate users and for legitimate purposes. This webinar examined what frameworks and mechanisms are currently in place to regulate the development, transfer, and use of UAVs, what gaps currently exist and what could be done to overcome these, including whether international norms and standards should be improved or updated.
This was the final webinar in a three-part series on uncrewed systems hosted by UNIDIR and the Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA). The first webinar in the series covered the terms and classifications used for uncrewed systems, and UAVs in particular, as well as potential impacts that these may pose to international security. The second webinar explored the benefits and risks to the use of uncrewed systems by different actors.
Event Recording
When and Where
This event took place on Thursday 5 September 2024, 15:00-16:30 CEST / 09:00-10:30 EDT, online.
Speakers
- Jessica Dorsey, Assistant Professor of International and European Law, Utrecht University, and Member of the Global Commission on Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain
- Rachel Stohl, Senior Vice President of Research Programs and Director of the Conventional Defense Program, Stimson Center
- Chantal Lavallée, Associate Professor in International Studies and Director of the Centre for Security and Crisis Governance (CRITIC) at the Royal Military College Saint-Jean as well as Senior Researcher at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Closing remarks by Jorge Eduardo Ferreira Silva Aranda, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Portugal to the United Nations
Moderated by Sarah Grand-Clément, Researcher, UNIDIR
Participants
We welcomed representatives from Member State delegations, as well as individuals working on issues related to uncrewed systems and members of the multistakeholder community including industry, civil society, and intergovernmental organizations.
In partnership with:
