Between 2021 and 2025, the United Nations Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on security of and in the use of ICTs operated under an extended mandate and delivered outcomes that will shape how the international community addresses ICT issues in the context of international security. OEWG discussions and negotiations generated a substantial record of how Member States approached, assessed and prioritized a wide range of topics.

UNIDIR is launching a publication that provides a comprehensive account of these substantive exchanges during the years of negotiation. The study traces how negotiations evolved over time, identifies emerging trends and themes, maps which issues were reflected in consensus reports, which were omitted, and draws lessons relevant to the Global Permanent Mechanism on ICT and International Security.

This side event will provide an opportunity for States to learn more about the publication, including the study’s main findings, to ask questions of experts, and to engage in discussions on lessons learned and the legacy of the OEWG.

Speakers

• Julia Rodriguez, Minister Counsellor, Permanent Mission of El Salvador to the United Nations
• Katherine Prizeman, Political Affairs Officer, UNODA
• Dr Samuele Dominioni, Senior Researcher, Security and Technology Programme, Co-editor of the publication, UNIDIR
• Dr Giacomo Persi Paoli, Head of the Security and Technology Programme, Co-editor of the publication, UNIDIR

When and where

Tuesday, 21 July 2026 | 13:15 – 14:30 EST | In person (Conference Room 8, United Nations Headquarters, New York) and online.

Check your local time here.

A light lunch will be provided to the participants attending in person.

RSVP

Please register here by Monday, 20 July. You are kindly requested to specify if you will be attending in person or connecting remotely. Early registrations are encouraged.

For those joining online, the link to access the event will be provided by email to registered participants one day prior to the session.

Participants

We welcome States delegations and cyber experts, as well as members of the multi-stakeholder community including industry, civil society, and intergovernmental organizations (ECOSOC status).

Please kindly note that UNIDIR is not able to grant access to the United Nations Headquarters for those who are not already in possession of the UN accreditation.

Further information

For any questions, please contact UNIDIR’s Security and Technology Programme at sectec-unidir@un.org. 

The post Launching UNIDIR’s report on the Open-Ended Working Group on ICT (2021-2025) first appeared on UNIDIR.

Policy and practice responses have evolved over time, both across and within the four countries of the Lake Chad region. Responses have struggled to keep pace with the mass exits and meet the needs on the ground. Research led by Daniel Agbiboa through the Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) programme and by UNIDIR’s Managing Exits from Armed Conflict (MEAC) Project shows that exits from armed groups are not a single event but a long and complex process shaped by insecurity, trust, stigma, livelihoods, gender norms and local authority structures. 

Sustainable transitions out of armed groups in the region will require approaches grounded in local realities and lived experiences, while drawing on global lessons learned and foregrounding the voices of those directly affected.

This workshop aims to bring together policymakers, practitioners, researchers and community‑focused actors to reflect on what current evidence tells us about conflict exits and the contours of reintegration in the Lake Chad Basin. It will also explore how responses can be strengthened to improve security and development outcomes for affected populations.

Agenda

10:30–11:45 CEST | Afterlives: Conflict exits and reintegration in the Lake Chad Basin

This session explores how people leave armed groups and what enables them to stay out. It will examine why individuals disengage, what support prevents their return, and where current exit pathways fall short. Drawing on XCEPT and MEAC research, it will look at how communities negotiate and accept returnees, and how responses can better reflect lived realities to support more sustainable transitions out of violence.

Speakers

• Daniel Agbiboa, Associate Professor of African and African American Studies, Harvard University
• Saibou Issa, Professor of History and Security Studies, University of Maroua, Cameroon, and Co-Director of the Observatory on Organized Crime and Violence in Central Africa
• Siobhan O’Neil, Head of the MEAC Project, UNIDIR

12:15–13:30 CEST | Gendering exit: Barriers faced by women and girls returning to civilian life

This session explores the distinct, often overlooked challenges faced by women and girls exiting Boko Haram and reintegrating into civilian life, including barriers to leaving forced marriages, limited access to tailored reintegration support and ongoing stigma and insecurity. It highlights how these gendered obstacles affect their ability to rebuild their lives and identifies practical, context-sensitive responses to strengthen protection, agency and reintegration outcomes across the Lake Chad Basin.

Speakers

• Francesca Batault, Associate Researcher, MEAC Project, UNIDIR
• Fatima Yetcha Ajimi Badu, Senior Researcher, Mobukar Consultancy Services

When and where

Wednesday, 17 June 2026 | 10:30–13:30 CEST | Online

Check your local time here.

Participants

The event is open to the public.

RSVP

For participation, please register here.

Further information

For any questions, please contact Francesca Batault at francesca.batault@un.org.

In partnership with

The post Supporting sustainable transitions out of conflict: Policy, practice and “afterlives” in the Lake Chad Basin first appeared on UNIDIR.

As of mid-2026, 33 States have outstanding Article 5 obligations related to the clearance of mined areas and the destruction of anti-personnel mines. Sixteen of them are from the African region, and several are relatively close to becoming “mine-free” – despite receiving the lowest levels of international cooperation and assistance. The Siem Reap-Angkor Action Plan 2025–2029 therefore seeks to foster cooperation and assistance in Africa as an enabler across all APMBC obligations.

This event will launch a new multi-year project titled “Working towards a mine-free Africa: Building African capacity to remove threats posed by anti-personnel landmines to peace, security and development.” Supported by the European Union, the project seeks to enable African States Parties to fulfil outstanding Article 5 obligations. The event will raise awareness of the initiative’s approach and objectives, encouraging collaboration and renewed, shared commitments by all stakeholders and partners in working towards a mine-free Africa.

Agenda

Opening remarks

• Ambassador Michele Cervone d’Urso, Deputy Head of EU Delegation to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva, European Union 

Panel

• Juan Carlos Ruan, Director, Implementation Support Unit, APMBC
• Hardy Giezendanner, Senior Researcher, Conventional Weapons Programme, UNIDIR
• Clément Meynier, Global Policy and Partnerships Lead, Mines Advisory Group 

Closing remarks

• Mulima Lisimba, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Zambia to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva

Coffee/tea and light sandwiches will be served outside the room from 13:00.

When and where

Thursday, 18 June 2026 | 13:15–14:45 CET | In-person at Room B, International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG), Rue de Varembé 17, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland, and online.

Check your local time here.

Participants

The co-organizers encourage the participation of representatives and experts from States, the United Nations, African sub-/regional organizations, NGOs, civil society, and academia who are engaged in or following humanitarian disarmament deliberations and issues related to the effective implementation of the APMBC, including in Africa.

RSVP

For online participation, please register here by 16 June.

Connection details will be shared with registered participants prior to the event.

Further information

For any questions, please contact Mae Ballena at mae.ballena@un.org

In partnership with

The post Working towards an African continent free from threats posed by anti-personnel mines  first appeared on UNIDIR.

UNIDIR’s Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security is being established at a critical moment for global AI governance, as this rapidly-evolving technology reshapes both peace and security landscapes. To address this, the centre serves as a permanent platform to consolidate knowledge, connect relevant actors, and sustain momentum between high-level multilateral processes and global summits on AI and international security.

Designed to ensure continuity and coherence across initiatives, the centre will foster inclusive global engagement and provide practical, evidence-based policy guidance, resources and capacity-building support. Its aim is to strengthen international cooperation on the governance of AI in peace and security contexts at a time of growing urgency and complexity.

The pre-launch briefing will introduce UNIDIR’s centre as a trusted platform for multistakeholder engagement and actionable knowledge generation. It will also invite expressions of interest for collaboration, including through support, participation in its Forum, and other pathways to contribute to its work.

Agenda

08:30 – 09:00 | Registration and light breakfast

09:00 – 09:07 | Welcome and introductions

• Dr Giacomo Persi Paoli, Head of the Security and Technology Programme, UNIDIR

09:08 – 09:15 | Kick-off remarks: The expected role and value of the centre

• Reto Wollenmann, Senior Advisor AI and International Security, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland
• Husham Ahmed, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN in Geneva

09:20 – 09:25 | Invitation for engagement: The Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security’s Forum

Overview of the centre’s governance structure and ways through which States and the wider multistakeholder community can engage with it through its Forum.

09:25 – 09:40 | Moderated exchange

Participants are invited to share their questions, thoughts and reflections with the speakers.

09:40 – 09:45 | Wrap-up

Moderated by Dr Yasmin Afina, Researcher, Security and Technology Programme, UNIDIR

When and where

Wednesday, 17 June 2026 | 8:30 – 9:45 CEST | Building A, Room V, Palais des Nations, Geneva.

Check your local time here.

RSVP

For in-person participation, please register here.

Further information

For questions, please contact yasmin.afina@un.org.

In collaboration with

The post Pre-launch briefing on UNIDIR’s Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security first appeared on UNIDIR.

Within this context, the 2026 Data for Peace Conference, held under the theme “From Early Warning to Early Action: Bridging Scientific Innovation with Policy and Practice”, brings together researchers, peacebuilders, policymakers, data providers, humanitarian actors and peace technologists to strengthen how data and technology support violence prevention, anticipatory action and crisis response. It takes place from 15 to 17 June 2026, combining two livestreamed in-person days in Stockholm, Sweden (15-16 June) with one fully virtual day (17 June).

As part of the conference, UNIDIR is organizing an event to provide an interactive space to discuss innovations in arms data collection and how they are used – or could be used – to concretely support early warning and anticipatory action, including for preventing conflict-related sexual violence. It will consider the relevance, obstacles and helpful avenues, including technologies, to strengthen the use of such data for violence prevention moving forward.

Agenda

Introductory remarks

• Hana Salama, Researcher, Integrated Approaches, UNIDIR

Demo on real-time, AI-enhanced arms data collection

• Prof. Dr Paul W. Thurner, Chair, Empirical Political Research and Policy Analysis, Department of Political Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich

Demo on innovation in arms data collection

• Bruno Langeani, Data Analyst, Conflict Armament Research

Demo on scaling AI-powered conflict-related sexual violence early warning and consideration of arms data

• George Hodge, Data Solutions Unit Head, Innovation and Analytics Hub, United Nations Human Rights

Demo on arms data use in local early warning mechanisms and enhancement efforts in considering such data for the mechanism

• Edward Jombla, Regional Coordinator for Early Warning, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding

Interactive exchange

Moderated by Alexa Timlick, Doctoral Candidate, Cluster of Excellence “The Politics of Inequality”, Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Konstanz; former Research Associate at Violence and Impacts Early Warning System.

When and where

Wednesday, 17 June 2026 | 11:00-12:00 CEST | Zoom Room A, Online

Check your local time here.

Participants

The event organizers encourage the participation of representatives of States, the United Nations, international and regional organizations, academia, research institutes and civil society across science, implementation and policymaking interested in conflict early warning and arms control. Experts in both fields are particularly invited to attend.

RSVP

For online participation, please register here.

Registration and participation instructions:

Step 1: Register for the virtual day of the Data for Peace Conference. Registration is required to receive the link, and it will be open until Monday, 15 June 2026.

Step 2: Registered participants will receive the connection link from the Data for Peace Conference organizers a few days before the event through their registered email.

Step 3: After receiving the connection link, join Zoom Room A on Wednesday, June 17 2026, a few minutes before 11:00 CEST.

Please note that there will be three links (Room A, Room B and Room C) used throughout the virtual day of the Data for Peace Conference. You can participate in this event by joining Zoom Room A.

Further information

For further information, please contact Ursign Hofmann at ursign.hofmann@un.org or Joshua Bata at joshua.bata@un.org.

In partnership with

The post Innovating for peace: Strengthening arms-related violence risks in early warning first appeared on UNIDIR.

Due diligence is a well-established concept of international law, under which States should not knowingly allow their territory to be used for activities that adversely affect the rights of other States. In the cyber context, this concept has gained renewed attention.

The UN Group of Governmental Experts has articulated a voluntary norm that States should not knowingly allow their territory to be used for internationally wrongful acts using information and communications technologies (ICTs). It has also clarified that States are expected to take all appropriate, reasonably available, and feasible steps to detect, investigate, and end malicious ICT activities emanating from or transiting their territory.

However, key questions remain subject to divergent State interpretations, including the legal status of due diligence, the scope of expected conduct, knowledge and harm thresholds, and the role of transit States. The International Law Commission’s recent decision to place due diligence on its programme of work and the appointment of Special Rapporteur Penelope Ridings provide a timely opportunity to deepen understanding of its application in the digital sphere.

This event, organized with a contribution from Special Rapporteur Penelope Ridings, will explore national and regional interpretations, highlight practical challenges States face in due diligence implementation, and facilitate an exchange of views between International Law Commission members, cyber diplomats and legal experts on how to further clarify and operationalize due diligence to enhance international security.

Agenda

14:00 – 14:05 | Welcome and introductory remarks

• Andrea Gronke, Deputy Head of UNIDIR’s Security and Technology Programme

14:05 – 14:15 | Setting the scene: Due diligence from general international law to cyberspace

• Dr Penelope Ridings, Special Rapporteur for due diligence, International Law Commission

14:15 – 14:25 | Perspectives on due diligence in cyberspace: Multilateral discussions and national interpretations

• Dr Andraz Kastelic, UNIDIR’s Security and Technology Programme

14:25 – 14:35 | National considerations of due diligence in cyberspace

• María Juliana Tenorio Quintero, Minister Plenipotentiary, Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations Office at Geneva

14:35 – 15:00 | Plenary discussion

The discussion will allow the participants and presenters to discuss the interplay between the International Law Commission’s work and the realities of the cyber domain.

When and where

Thursday, 2 July 2026 | 14:00 – 15:00 CEST | Building A, Room VIII, Palais des Nations, Geneva.

A light lunch will be provided outside the event room at 13:30 CEST.

Check your local time here.

RSVP

For in-person participation, please register here.

Further information

For questions, please contact Andrea Gronke at andrea.gronke@un.org or Dr Andraz Kastelic at andraz.kastelic@un.org.

The post Due diligence in cyberspace: National interpretations and their relevance for international law first appeared on UNIDIR.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversaries, and under the framework of the EC Decision 2023/46 on Small Arms and Light Weapons, a UN inter-agency task force comprising of UNIDIR, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has conducted a joint research study on small arms flows and export control mechanisms.

This hybrid side event will take place on the sidelines of the 9th Biennial Meeting of States (BMS9) on the Programme of Action on Small Arms and the International Tracing Instrument in New York and the 35th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) in Vienna. It will launch a new study that examines both authorized transfers of small arms and light weapons and their leakage into illicit markets. It will highlight emerging trends, key challenges and recommendations for enhancing UN efforts to strengthen national control frameworks and reinforce safeguards against diversion.

Speakers

Opening remarks

• Representative from UNODA

Panellists

• Claudia Garcia Guiza, Political Affairs Officer in the Conventional Arms Branch, UNODA
• Simonetta Grassi, Chief of the Firearms Trafficking Section, UNODC
• Paul Holtom, Head of Conventional Weapons Programme, UNIDIR

Moderated by Bojana Balon, Head of South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, UNDP.

Closing remarks

• Simonetta Grassi, Chief of the Firearms Trafficking Section, UNODC

When and where

This event will be conducted simultaneously in New York, Vienna and online. Below are the dates and times for each location:

• New York: Tuesday, 2 June | 09:00 to 10:00 EDT | Room S-1519, UN Headquarters
• Vienna: Tuesday, 2 June | 15:00 to 16:00 CEST | Room M0E79, Vienna International Centre

Check your local time here.

Participants

The co-organizers encourage the participation of representatives and experts from States, the United Nations sub-/regional organizations, NGOs, civil society and academia who are interested in SALW and firearms transfer controls and efforts to counter diversion and illicit trafficking.

RSVP

For in-person participation in New York, please contact UNODA at conventionalarms@un.org.

For in-person participation in Vienna, registration is not required.

For online participation, please join here.

In partnership with

The post Arms transfers under pressure: Preventing diversion in a changing global landscape first appeared on UNIDIR.

Joined-up responses tackling both the root causes of violence and the illicit supply of weapons can help prevent armed violence more sustainably. A 2026 study by UNIDIR, the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa, and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs mapped good practices of such joined-up approaches in West Africa. While a resource for that region, these practical insights can also help practitioners and policymakers advance integrated approaches in other regions in Africa and beyond, as well as at the global level.

Departing from West African insights, this interactive side event fostered exchange on how effective practices of integrated approaches to armed violence prevention and SALW control concretely implement – and could feed back into – policy commitments under the PoA, Pact for the Future and Silencing the Guns. It also explored how other regions may benefit from and complement West African experiences.

Event recording

Speakers

Welcome remarks

• H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Fathi Ahmed EDREES, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations
• Salem Matug, Senior Political Affairs Officer, Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations

Opening remarks

• Oliver Hoehne, Deputy Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations.

Discussion panel

• Nakmak Douti, Senior expert Security Sector Governance, Togo 
• Jean Pierre Betindji, Executive Secretary, Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons 
• Ecoma Alaga, West Africa Team Leader / Senior Political Affairs Officer, UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs

Moderated by Diane Sheinberg, Senior Political Affairs Officer, Regional Disarmament, Information and Outreach Branch, UN Office for Disarmament Affairs.

Closing remarks

• Dr Paul Holtom, Head Conventional Weapons Programme, UN Institute for Disarmament Research 

When and where

Thursday, 4 June 2026 | 13:15 – 14:45 EST | UNHQ Conference Room 6 (behind Vienna Café) and online.

Further information

For any questions, please contact Ursign Hofmann at ursign.hofmann@un.org.

In partnership with

The post Strengthening armed violence prevention: West African insights to transform words into action  first appeared on UNIDIR.

In the lead-up to UNIDIR’s Global Conference on AI, Security and Ethics 2026 (AISE26), the webinars are structured as “waypoints” on the road to the conference. Each session offers an in-depth exploration of a domain-specific theme through targeted, expert-led dialogues drawing on submissions to the conference’s open call for abstracts.

With speakers selected on the basis of outstanding submissions, the webinar subjects span biosecurity, foundational concepts, frontier systems and evolving dynamics in international AI governance.

Waypoint 1: Hidden security threats and international security implications of frontier AI systems

The event examined underexplored risks arising from the integration of frontier AI into operational environments and security workflows critical to international, regional and national security. Speakers discussed vulnerabilities of premature AI systems, including the scaling of high-risk systems and their inclusion in decision-support architectures, as well as threats to the information space in cyber and international security contexts. The session also assessed whether existing frameworks and response mechanisms are sufficient to address the implications of frontier AI offensive capabilities and proposed practical tools to translate policy commitments into operational governance.

1. Securing access to frontier AI models: Risks and countermeasures
   • Dr Louise Marie Hurel, Royal United Services Institute
     
2. Operationalizing AI governance for national security: The AI risk × readiness decision framework
   • Dr Marina Theodotou, Center for Frontier AI Security
     
3. A multilingual multimodal AI framework for detecting information threats in cybersecurity and international security contexts
   • Eli Ocen, United Nations Youth Delegate for the Republic of Uganda
     

Event recording

Waypoint 2: Intent, control and judgment – Demystifying foundational terms on AI and security

This event invited the audience to explore three foundational concepts in AI and security governance: intent, control and judgment. Often associated with human traits, speakers examined how these concepts apply in AI contexts. From operational settings to frontier applications, the session encouraged participants to challenge assumptions through an interdisciplinary dialogue.

1. Don’t control AI, command it: Governing military AI through meaningful human command
   • Dr Adam Hepworth, University of New South Wales
     
2. The end of human judgment in the kill chain? Relocating initiative and interpretation with agentic AI
   • Dr Jovana Davidovic, Peace Research Institute Oslo and University of Iowa
     
3. From selection to generation: Why AI targeting demands a governance revolution
   • Dr Christopher Ankersen, New York University Center for Global Affairs
     
4. Engineering traceability for artificial intelligence systems that learn beyond their original training intent
   • Leslie Wellington Sirora, Zimbabwe Center for High Performance Computing

Event recording

Waypoint 3: Shifting weights and dynamics in international military AI governance

This event invited the speakers and the audience to consider, collectively, the changing dynamics in international governance of military AI. While engagement within multilateral institutions is shifting rapidly, small and middle powers are playing an increasingly important role in shaping norms in the emerging debate on AI governance in the military domain. The webinar also constituted an opportunity to consider how military AI confidence-building measures architecture can advance, even as the weights and dynamics evolve.

1. Closing the dual gaps in military AI governance — Discourse and operationalization deficits for small and middle powers
   • Dr Bagus Jatmiko, Indonesian Navy
     
2. Can confidence-building measures keep pace with military AI? Lessons from the India-Pakistan nuclear dyad
   • Dr Anum A Khan, Network for Security, Strategy and Technology
     
3. Beyond consensus: Global South fragmentation and the limits of multilateral negotiation on lethal autonomous weapons systems
   • Candy Moyo, Department of International Relations and Cooperation, South Africa; Geneva Centre for Security Policy; University of Geneva
     

Event recording

Waypoint 4: Breeding ground for risks?: Governing the emerging challenges of AI development for biosecurity 

This event explored the implications of AI development for biosecurity governance. From the design of novel pathogens and the circumvention of detection systems to the amplification of mis- and disinformation during disease outbreaks, these risks are raising new international security and governance challenges. Speakers examined emerging threats and the evolution of the biotechnology landscape and AI’s role within it, with a particular focus on how Southeast Asian nations are navigating the AI–bio convergence.

1. AI, biotechnology and the Biological Weapons Convention: Closing emerging governance gaps
   • Peter Babigumira Ahabwe, Ministry of Health of Uganda
     
2. Beyond silos: Governing the AI–biotech convergence in Southeast Asia
   • Julius Cesar Imperial Trajano, Nanyang Technological University Singapore
     
3. Advancing secure and beneficial AI-enabled biological capabilities: Governance frameworks from the AIxBio Global Forum
   • Hayley Severance, Nuclear Threat Initiative
   • Dr Jake Jordan, Nuclear Threat Initiative
     
4. AI and biological weapons: Risks, technical limits, and procurement applications
   • Clarisse Bertherat, UNIDIR

Event recording

When and where

The webinars were held online. Below are the dates and times for each waypoint:

• Waypoint 1: Friday, 29 May | 13:00-14:30 CEST
• Waypoint 2: Friday, 5 June | 15:00-16:30 CEST
• Waypoint 3: Tuesday, 9 June | 12:30-14:00 CEST
• Waypoint 4: Monday, 15 June | 13:00-14:30 CEST

Further information

For any questions, please contact Yasmin Afina at yasmin.afina@un.org.

The post Road to AISE26 webinar series first appeared on UNIDIR.

Speakers

• Amb. Stephan Klement, EU Special Envoy for Non-proliferation and Disarmament
• Dr Robin Geiss, Director, UNIDIR
• Mohamed Gamal Ahmed ElGhitany, Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations in Geneva
• Dr Grégoire Mallard, Professor, Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
• Dr Abdolrasool Divsallar, Senior Researcher, Middle East WMD-Free Zone Project, UNIDIR

Moderated by Dr Chen Zak Kane, Head of the Middle East WMD-Free Zone Project, UNIDIR.

When and where

Monday, 8 June 2026 | 12:30 – 14:00 CEST | Room S4, Maison de la paix, Geneva Graduate Institute and online.

Check your local time here.

RSVP

Registration is mandatory, please register here.

Further questions

For questions, please contact mewmdfz-unidir@un.org. 

In partnership with

The post Non-proliferation and disarmament trends in the Middle East first appeared on UNIDIR.

Directed energy weapons have existed for nearly six decades. Despite periodically experiencing surges in interest, persistent technological and operational shortcomings have historically prevented their widespread deployment on the battlefield. At present, these weapons, especially high-energy lasers and high-power microwaves, are once again receiving heightened attention and investment.

This renewed interest stems from their potential as a countermeasure to the unprecedented proliferation of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) across global conflicts. As the cost imbalance between UAS and the traditional missile systems used to intercept them came into the spotlight, directed energy weapons have re-emerged as a potential defence solution offering a lower cost per shot compared to conventional alternatives. Speakers critically assessed the state of play of these weapons and the potential gaps between their promise and practical reality in the context of counter-UAS defence.

Event recording

Speakers

• Dr Edl Schamiloglu, Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Director of Directed Energy Center, University of New Mexico.
• Dr Richard Hoad, Chief Engineer and Capability Area Leader for Directed Energy Systems, QinetiQ Ltd.
• David Hambling, Freelance Science and Technology Writer

Moderated by Umman Alizada, Graduate Professional, Security and Technology Programme, UNIDIR.

When and where

Wednesday, 24 June 2026 | 16:00 – 17:30 CEST | Online.

Further information

For questions, please contact sectec-unidir@un.org.

Funded by

The post Directed energy weapon developments in counter-UAS defence first appeared on UNIDIR.

As AI capabilities accelerate and are increasingly integrated across the security lifecycle, the international community faces an urgent need to ensure that governance approaches remain anchored in human dignity, international law and responsible practice. Faith-based ethics and moral traditions have long played an important role in the formulation of multilateral norms. An inter-faith exchange at this critical juncture of global security can help guide discussions towards a potentially unifying narrative that transcends borders and reinforces trust, responsibility and restraint in the development, deployment and use of AI in high-stakes security environments.

In the lead up to UNIDIR’s Global Conference on AI, Security and Ethics 2026, this dialogue seeks to explore pathways towards developing shared values and norms across faiths that can inform and support ongoing multilateral discussions on governance of AI in the military domain. It aims to lift the debate around AI, security and ethics beyond state-focused, technical discussions and to strengthen inclusive, multistakeholder engagement in these timely debates.

Agenda

14:00 – 14:15 | Welcome and opening remarks

• Robin Geiss, Director, UNIDIR
• H.E. Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, Apostolic Nuncio,  Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations Office at Geneva 

14:15 – 15:30 | Inter-faith panel discussion

• Father Ghislain-Marie Grange, o.p., Professor of Theology and Philosophy at the Institut Saint-Thomas d’Aquin Toulouse
• Leon Saltiel, Director of Diplomacy, UN Geneva and UNESCO, World Jewish Congress
• Mohamed Levrak, President, Interreligious Platform of Geneva; Deputy Director, Islamic Cultural Foundation of Geneva
• Sakyadeeta Nishanie, Buddhist Nun / Meditation Teacher, Buddhist Community Montenegro
• Swami Vedanishthananda, Spiritual Head and Director, Centre Védantique Genève
• Prof. Karamjeet Singh, Vice Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University

Moderated by Dr Yasmin Afina, Researcher, Security and Technology Programme, UNIDIR

When and where

Friday, 12 June 2026 | 14:00 – 15:30 CEST | Villa Bocage, Palais des Nations, Geneva.

Check your local time here.

Participants

The event is open to representatives of States, international organizations, religious groups and civil society, as well as experts working on AI in the military domain and members of the general public.

RSVP

For in-person participation, please register here.

Please note, due to the venue’s limited space, registrations are subject to approval, which will be sent to your email address.

In partnership with

The post Inter-faith dialogue on artificial intelligence, security and ethics first appeared on UNIDIR.

Against this backdrop, UNIDIR convenes the Outer Space Security Conference 2026 as a platform for meaningful exchange across policymakers, defence actors, industry, academia and civil society. Through focused panel discussions on technical, legal and policy dimensions, participants will explore practical pathways to strengthen the security and sustainability of outer space, ensuring it remains stable and accessible for all.

Agenda

​Further details will be added in due course.

When and where

Tuesday, 8 September, and Wednesday, 9 September 2026 | Palais des Nations in Geneva and online.

RSVP

For in-person attendance, please register here.

For online attendance, please register here.

Further information

For any questions, please contact sarah.erickson@un.org.

The post Outer Space Security Conference 2026 first appeared on UNIDIR.

Building on the work carried out in Latin America and the Caribbean, including the delivery of capacity-building activities for WPS Focal Points, research and practical tools such as UNIDIR’s Toolkit Addressing Weapons-Related Risks in Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan, the event will provide a platform to share experiences, lessons learned and good practices.

Panellists will reflect on the following questions for discussion:

• How can stronger linkages be fostered between SALW control and the WPS Agenda at policy, institutional and operational levels?
• What lessons learned, tools, good practices and opportunities can support the integration of SALW control into the WPS Nation Action Plans and related national and regional initiatives, and vice versa?

Panellists

• Hana Salama, Researcher, Integrated Approaches, Gender and Disarmament Programme, UNIDIR
• Ana Sofía Carranza, Gender and Youth Programme Coordinator, UNLIREC
• Dragan Bozanic, Gender and Research Project Analyst, UNDP, South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons
• Sarah Douglas, Deputy Director, UN Women Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean

Moderated by Katja Boettcher, Political Affairs Officer, UNLIREC

When and where

Wednesday, 3 June 2026 | 13:15 – 14:30 EDT | Conference Room A, UN Headquarters, New York.

Participants

This event is open to all interested stakeholders holding valid UN grounds passes.

Further information

For any questions, please contact gender-unidir@un.org.

In partnership with

Sponsored by

The post Advancing the integration between small arms and light weapons control and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda: Opportunities and good practices first appeared on UNIDIR.

The UNROCA is the only universal and global transparency instrument on international transfers and acquisitions of conventional arms. Since the early 1990s, through a UN General Assembly resolution, Member States have continuously reaffirmed the importance of transparency in armaments and their commitment to UNROCA. The instrument supports efforts to prevent excessive and destabilizing accumulations of conventional arms and facilitate dialogue among Member States to avoid misperceptions regarding arms acquisitions and thus contribute to international peace and security. In a time of increasing uncertainty and international and regional tension, the value of transparency and confidence-building mechanisms such as the Register is increasingly important.

This training workshop aims to build capacity among Member States to support their participation in UNROCA and its use. During the workshop, experts will provide background information on the Register, demonstrate how to prepare submissions to the Register and showcase the online UNROCA reporting tool. Subsequently, participants will have the opportunity to engage with the experts on technical questions related to UNROCA reporting.

Agenda

• Introductory remarks and brief presentation on the UNROCA instrument by UNODA
• Practical demonstration of how to prepare submissions to UNROCA by UNIDIR
• Walk-through of the online UNROCA reporting tool by UNODA
• Q&A session

When and where

In order to accommodate different time zones and allow UNROCA national points of contact to attend, identical training workshops will be held during three different time slots and in three different languages.

• Tuesday, 5 May 2026 | 10:00 – 11:30 EDT / 16:00 – 17:30 CEST | English

• Tuesday, 5 May 2026, 13:00 – 14:30 EDT / 19:00 – 20:30 CEST | Spanish

• Wednesday, 6 May 2026, 9:00-10:30 EDT / 15:00 – 16:30 CEST | French

Participants

The training workshop is open to First Committee and disarmament experts at Permanent Missions, national points of contact for UNROCA, and other government officials responsible for reporting to the Register and other related international transparency mechanisms.

Please register for only one of the workshops here.

Further information

For questions, please contact randall.tilson@un.org.

In partnership with

The post Virtual training on preparing national submissions to the UN Register of Conventional Arms first appeared on UNIDIR.

In this context, a key to supporting States in fulfilling their commitments and obligations to international instruments on conventional arms is to assist them in strengthening their national capacities and processes for reporting.

UNIDIR, in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence of Angola, is organizing a two-day national capacity-building training course on reporting under international instruments on conventional arms and ammunition control. The course aims to:

• Strengthen Angola’s understanding on reporting commitments and obligations under international instruments on conventional arms and ammunition control;
• Start the process for preparing the national report on the implementation of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms/International Tracing Instrument (PoA/ITI), Angola’s initial overview on measures to implement the Global Framework on Through-Life Conventional Ammunition Management (GFA), and Angola’s transparency report to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms (UNROCA);
• Support Angola in strengthening efficient and effective national procedures for reporting;
• Identify national priorities for international cooperation and assistance.

Agenda

Day 1 – Introduction to reporting on national control of conventional arms, including small arms and light weapons

• Opening ceremony
  • Welcoming remarks by Dr Paul Holtom, Head of Programme, Conventional Weapons, UNIDIR
  • Introductory notes by Ruben Nicolin, Associate Researcher, Conventional Weapons, UNIDIR
  • Opening remarks by the Ministry of Defence, Angola (TBC)
• Session 2: Introduction to reporting commitments and obligations under international instruments on conventional arms
  • Presentation by Ruben Nicolin and Dr Paul Holtom on international instruments on conventional arms and Angola’s reporting commitments thereunder, including the PoA/ITI, UNROCA, the GFA and the ATT
  • Discussion
• Session 3: The role of the Angolan National Arms Control and Disarmament Authority (ANCAD) in the process of drafting national reports under international instruments on conventional arms
  • Presentation by ANCAD
• Session 4: Reporting to the UNROCA
  • Presentation by Dr Paul Holtom
  • Group exercise on national reporting procedures and to prepare the 2026 UNROCA report
• Session 5: Review of 2022 national report on implementation of the PoA/ITI and preparation of the 2026 national report
  • Presentation of Angola’s 2022 national report by ANCAD
  • Group exercise on national reporting procedures and to prepare the 2026 national report
• Session 6: International cooperation and assistance priorities for SALW control
  • Group presentations

Day 2 – Introduction to the Global Framework on Through-Life Conventional Ammunition Management and Voluntary Reporting on its Implementation

• Session 7: Recap of day 1
• Session 8: Introduction to the Global Framework on Through-Life Conventional Ammunition Management (GFA)
  • Presentation by Ruben Nicolin of the GFA and its objectives
  • Discussion
• Session 9: Introduction to the draft template for the GFA initial overview
  • Presentation by Dr Paul Holtom
• Session 10: Preparing Angola’s initial overview for implementing the GFA
  • Group exercise on national reporting procedures and to prepare the 2026 GFA initial overview
• Session 11: International cooperation and assistance priorities for through-life conventional ammunition management
  • Group presentations
• Session 12: International instruments for conventional arms control: Implications of national commitments and obligations / way forward
  • Presentation by Angola’s legal office and ANCAD
• Session 13: Closing remarks and presentation of certificates
  • Recap of day 2
  • Congratulatory notes by Dr Paul Holtom
  • Certificate presentation by the Ministry of Defence, Angola (TBC) and Dr Paul Holtom
  • Closing remarks by the Ministry of Defence, Angola (TBC)

When and where

Tuesday, 5 May, and Wednesday, 6 May 2026 | Luanda, Angola.

Participants

The event will bring together national experts and authorities from Angola. The event is by invitation only.

Language

This event will be held in English, with interpretation in Portuguese.

Further information

For further information or questions, please contact Ruben Nicolin at ruben.nicolin@un.org.

In cooperation with

The post Capacity-building training on reporting under international instruments on conventional arms and ammunition control first appeared on UNIDIR.

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is playing an increasingly important role in defence and military contexts, with major implications for conventional arms production, arms control and international security. While additive manufacturing is not new, recent advances in machine capabilities and lower production costs have accelerated its integration into military supply chains, operational environments and industrial production.

As a dual-use cyber-physical technology, additive manufacturing offers strategic advantages but also creates new risks of proliferation and diversion. These risks require closer attention from policymakers and the arms control community.

This event examined how international instruments address the risks posed by additive manufacturing. Specifically, speakers explored the role of export control mechanisms in regulating access to this technology, as well as the Programme of Action on small arms and light weapons and how it addresses the illicit trade of these weapons in their 3D-printed form.

Event recording

Agenda

Opening remarks

• Klemen Polak, Head of Political Section for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, EU Delegation to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva

Presentation on additive manufacturing

• Sarah Grand-Clément, Senior Researcher, Conventional Weapons Programme and Security and Technology Programme, UNIDIR

Speakers

• Claudio Medeiros Leopoldino, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Brazil to the Conference on Disarmament
• Rueben Dass, Senior Analyst, International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, S. Rajatnaram School of International Studies

Moderated by Dr Giacomo Persi Paoli, Head, Security and Technology Programme, UNIDIR

When and where

Thursday, 21 May 2026 | 13:15 to 14:30 CEST | Online.

Further information

For questions, please contact sectec-unidir@un.org.

Funded by

The post Additive manufacturing and arms and transfer control first appeared on UNIDIR.

While the success of NPT Review Conferences has often been judged by the adoption of a consensus Final Document, the form and focus of successful outcome documents have varied considerably. This side event will explore how these foundational understandings have fared across past review cycles, where their limits have emerged, and what they suggest for the future direction of the NPT in the years ahead.

Agenda

Opening remarks

• Kazumi Matsui, Mayor of Hiroshima and President of Mayors for Peace
• Izumi Nakamitsu, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
• Kimitake Nakamura, Director-General and Assistant Minister of Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

Presentations

• Peaceful uses of nuclear energy by Shun Oshita, Senior Lecturer of Hiroshima Peace Institute, Hiroshima City University
• Nuclear non-proliferation by Chen Zak Kane, Head of Project, Middle East WMD-Free Zone, UNIDIR
• Nuclear disarmament by Randy Rydell, Honorary Advisor, Mayors for Peace

Moderated discussion

Audience Q&A

When and where

Wednesday, 29 April 2026 | 10:15 – 11:45 EDT | Conference Room A, UN Headquarters, New York

In partnership with

The post Taking stock of the NPT: Achievements, persistent challenges and emerging opportunities first appeared on UNIDIR.

This side event will take stock of these developments, identify areas of convergence, and explore practical measures that could inform the Conference’s outcomes. It will also examine how to ensure that nuclear risk reduction remains a sustained and actionable priority within the NPT review process.

Agenda

Opening remarks

• Amb. Julien Thoeni, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the Conference of Disarmament 

Panellist

• Abigail Bailey, Team Lead, Security Policy Department, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
• Amb. Shen Jian, Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs, Deputy Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations Office in Geneva
• Kgaugelo Mogashoa, Director for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa
• Sahil V. Shah, Senior Advisor and Member, Swiss Delegation to the NPT
• Sarah Ruth Opatowski, Associate Researcher, Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme, UNIDIR

Moderated by Andrey Baklitskiy, Senior Researcher, Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme, UNIDIR

When and where

Wednesday, 6 May 2026 | 13:15 – 14:30 EDT | Room CR.8, UN Headquarters, New York

In partnership with

The post Ensuring sustainable progress for nuclear risk reduction first appeared on UNIDIR.

UNIDIR, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the UN Women Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean are co-organizing a regional course on integrating firearms control into WPS National Action Plans, with a focus on Caribbean perspectives. This activity is supported by funds from the Government of Canada.

The event will include interactive discussions and simulations of drafting processes. It aims to:

• Raise awareness of the use and impact of firearms from a gender perspective, including their differentiated effects on women, men, youth, boys and girls.
• Examine the convergence between the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, and the WPS agenda, identifying entry points for integrating firearms control frameworks into the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in the subregion.
• Identify and test practical options to operationalize UNIDIR research on how to integrate arms control and disarmament measures into National Action Plans on UNSCR 1325.
• Strengthen networks, fostering knowledge exchange and cooperation among WPS focal points in the Caribbean, in alignment with the Firearms Roadmap.

Participants

The regional course is by-invitation only.  

Further information

For any questions, please contact gender-unidir@un.org.

In partnership with

The post Integrating firearms control into Women, Peace and Security National Action Plans: Caribbean perspectives first appeared on UNIDIR.

The sixth and final event in this series will focus on transparency and accountability, which are essential to building confidence in international agreements, including the NPT. All nuclear‑weapon States (NWS) have provided information regarding their obligations under Article VI and related commitments, including those contained in the 2010 NPT Action Plan. Over the course of the current review cycle, however, calls have grown for NWS to demonstrate greater transparency and accountability in the fulfilment of these obligations and commitments. This event will bring together experts to examine the role of transparency and accountability in the context of NPT disarmament obligations and commitments, and to consider potential steps for strengthening these practices at the upcoming conference and beyond.

Event recording

A recording of this event is available on our YouTube channel and below.

Agenda

Please include the following list of speakers:

• Nobumasa Akiyama, Professor, Graduate School of Law,  Hitotsubashi University
• Alice Spilman, Policy Fellow, British American Security Information Council
• Dmitry Stefanovich, Research Fellow, Center for International Security at the Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Moderated by James Revill, Head of the WMD Programme, UNIDIR.

When and where

Thursday, 23 April 2026 | 13:15 – 14:45 CEST | Online

Check your local time here.

Participants

The event is open to State representatives and experts working on or interested in issues pertaining to the NPT.

Further information

For any questions, please contact Victor Calero at victor.calerogranda@un.org.

The post Transparency and accountability in the Non-Proliferation Treaty review process first appeared on UNIDIR.

When the same voices gather around the same table, the same conclusions tend to follow. Advancing progress on disarmament and non-proliferation requires broadening that conversation, drawing in younger generations, experts from different regions, and a genuine integration of gender considerations in nuclear diplomacy.

Against this backdrop, the event discussion will address the following questions:

• How are youth-led movements shaping the agenda on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation?
• What role can youth meaningfully play in advancing the goals of the NPT?
• How can gender and humanitarian considerations contribute to rethinking nuclear diplomacy?
• How can processes, working methods and institutional cultures be improved to achieve more effective results in the nuclear domain?

Agenda

Speakers

• H.E. Natasha Meli, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Malta to the UN in New York
• H.E. Matteo Fachinotti, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization in Vienna
• Kseniia Pirnavskaia, Network and Engagement Specialist, Open Nuclear Network
• Aurchita Hashemi, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellow, IAEA
• Mohammed Alkurashi, Youth Advisor, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation

The event will be moderated by Dr Renata H. Dalaqua, Head of the Integrated Approaches Programme, UNIDIR.

When and where

Monday, 4 May 2026 | 13:15 – 14:30 EDT | Conference Room 8, UN Headquarters, New York, Webcast via UN Web TV.

Participants

The event is open to Member States representatives, civil society and academics. Kindly note that UNIDIR is not able to grant access to the UN Headquarters for those who are not already in possession of the UN accreditation.

Further information

For queries, please contact renata.hessmanndalaqua@un.org.

In partnership with

The post Nuclear policymaking across generations: Ensuring inclusive, peaceful processes for a sustainable future for all first appeared on UNIDIR.

UNSCR 1325 affirms women’s equal right to participate and lead across all areas of international peace and security. The WPS framework also addresses conflict prevention, and the prevention of and protection from all forms of violence affecting women and girls. These considerations are relevant to all pillars of the NPT, and has been reflected in strong cross-regional engagement throughout the review cycle, with State Parties calling for support on initiatives to further develop gender analysis in nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. 

Against this backdrop, this event will feature a moderated discussion on the following topics:

• What efforts have proven effective in promoting equality, fairness and justice within nuclear policy communities?
• How can convergences between the NPT and the WPS Agenda be strengthened?
• What are some approaches to respond to pushback against gender equality?
• What synergies exist between gender-related approaches and victim- and survivor-centric approaches to nuclear disarmament?
• What outcomes at the 2026 NPT Review Conference, and in future review cycles, could advance gender equality, diversity and inclusion, while strengthening the treaty regime as a whole?

The discussion will draw on ideas and suggestions put forward in two NPT Working Papers: Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the women and peace and security agenda (NPT/CONF.2026/PC.III/WP.37) and Taking forward gender mainstreaming efforts in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT/CONF.2026/PC.I/ WP.25).

Agenda

Speakers

• Mary Robinson, Member of The Elders and former President of Ireland (video)
• H.E. Amb. Do Hung Viet, President of the NPT Review Conference (tbc)
• H.E. Amb. Nuala Ní Mhuircheartaigh, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN in New York
• Dr Renata H. Dalaqua, Head of the Integrated Approaches Programme, UNIDIR
• Jet Olfato, Director for the Division on International Peace and Security, Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines

The event will be moderated by Dr Wilfred Wan, Director of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme, SIPRI.

When and where

Friday, 8 May 2026 | 13:15-14:30 EDT | Conference Room 8, UN Headquarters, New York.

Participants

The event is open to Member States representatives, civil society and academics. Kindly note that UNIDIR is not able to grant access to the UN Headquarters for those who are not already in possession of the UN accreditation.

Further information

For queries, please contact renata.hessmanndalaqua@un.org.

The post Strengthening synergies between the NPT and UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security first appeared on UNIDIR.

Technological advances, particularly in artificial intelligence, have accelerated chemical and biological research in recent years. Although still largely in their early stages of development, quantum technologies – notably quantum-enabled simulation and modelling – are expected to further transform these fields and play an increasingly important role in driving future scientific progress.

Owing to their underlying quantum properties, quantum-based approaches are uniquely suited to simulating and modelling highly complex chemical and biological processes. This capability could open new avenues for technological innovation in areas such as molecular design, drug discovery and life sciences. However, alongside these opportunities, the integration of quantum technologies may introduce additional layers of complexity and new challenges for chemical and biological security and risk reduction efforts, with potential non-proliferation and disarmament implications.

By examining how quantum advances could reshape scientific capabilities in ways that may affect the development and detection of chemical and biological agents, this technology briefing sought to support informed discussions within relevant disarmament fora.

Event recording

Speakers

• Prof. Keunhong Jeong, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Sogang University; Member, Scientific Advisory Board, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
• Dr Sonali Mohapatra, Quantum Innovation Sector Lead, UK National Quantum Computing Centre
• Dr Salil Gunashekar, Senior Research Leader and Deputy Director, Science and Emerging Technology, RAND Europe; Director, Quantum Technology Observatory for Policy and Society

Moderated by Wenting He, Associate Researcher, Security and Technology Programme, UNIDIR

When and where

Tuesday, 19 May 2026 | 13:30 – 14:30 CEST | Online.

Further information

For questions, please contact sectec-unidir@un.org.

Funded by

The post Quantum innovation and chemical–biological security: Emerging insights for disarmament first appeared on UNIDIR.