Conventional Arms and Ammunition

We work towards preventing the uncontrolled proliferation and misuse of conventional weapons and ammunition.

We want to identify and understand the risks and impacts of these weapons, help societies prevent armed violence, and to recover and rebuild from armed conflicts.

Download our Research Resource Package for an overview of relevant, applied research publications and resources published by the Programme.

Current Research

publications

Events

Uncrewed Aerial, Ground, and Maritime Systems: A Compendium

The Role of Industry in Responsible International Transfers of Conventional Arms

Gestion des armes et des munitions - Aperçu de Pays : République togolaise

Strengthening Shared Understanding on the Impact of the ATT in Addressing Risks of Diversion in Arms Transfers: A Compendium of Key Resources and Tools

Weapons and Ammunition Management Country Insight: Central African Republic

Disarmament, Security and Development Nexus: Compendium of UNIDIR Annual Youth Disarmament Essay Competition’s Best Essays

Uncrewed Ground Systems: A Primer

Uncrewed Maritime Systems: A Primer

Uncrewed Aerial Systems: A Primer

Addressing the Linkages Between Illicit Arms, Organized Crime and Armed Conflict

ammunition

Regional Practices to Reduce Ammunition Diversion and Trafficking | Side event to the 2023 OEWG on Conventional Ammunition

caap att side event may 11 2023

The Role of Industry in Responsible International Transfers of Conventional Arms: Experiences and Perspectives

Rifles and RPGs strewn on the ground

Informal Virtual Meeting in Advance of the 2nd ATT CSP9 Informal Preparatory and Working Groups Meetings

Small arms

Mismatch or on Track: Does Global Military Spending Align with National Security Priorities?

Aerial Uncrewed Systems

Technological Advances of Uncrewed Systems in the Air, Land and Maritime Domains

Small arms

Initial Reflections in Support of the Presidency's Thematic Priority: The Role of Industry in Promoting a Responsible Arms Trade

Model UN at UN Geneva, November 2022

Youth & Disarmament: Launch of the Youth Course & Essay Competition Award

ECOWAS

ECOWAS-UNIDIR Regional Seminar on Disarmament & Arms Control

Arms control process

The Continuing Importance of Transparency in Armaments and New Developments (First Committee Side Event)

Guns piled up on a siding

Side-Event to ATT CSP8: Taking Stock of the Arms Trade Treaty’s Impact of Efforts to Prevent, Detect and Address Diversion

Arms and munitions laid out in the desert in front of a white UN truck

Regional Briefings on Preparations for the Eighth Biennial Meeting of States on the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons

ceasefire monitoring

Virtual Launch of the Technology and Ceasefires Publication: Exploring the Use of Technology for Remote Ceasefire Monitoring and Verification

United Nations blue helmets laid out in a row on top of flak jackets

Building the Bridge: Launch Event for the Arms-Related Risk Analysis Toolkit

Various small arms and munitions laid out in the street

Diversion and the ATT: Measures for Responding to Weapon and Ammunition Diversion

conventional_ammunition_700x500

Preparing for the Open-Ended Working Group on Conventional Ammunition

Three women walk down a street full of bombed-out buildings

Virtual Launch of the Second Menu of Indicators to Measure the Reverberating Effects on Civilians from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas

Bullets strewn in front of a line of soldiers

Assessing the ATT’s Impact on Diversion Prevention Efforts

WAM

Launch of French and Spanish Reference Methodology for National WAM Baseline Assessments: Insights and a Practical Guide for Implementation

UN7361975

Analysing Diversion Dynamics: Lessons Learned

Weapons and Ammunition Management

BMS7 Virtual side event: A Reference Methodology for National Weapons and Ammunition Management Baseline Assessments: Insights and practical guide for Implementation

wam

UNIDIR-AU Regional Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) Lessons Learned Seminar - Phase II

Preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons

Preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons: towards technical guidelines to facilitate the implementation of Security Council resolution 2370 (2017) and related international standards and good practices on preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons

Improvised_Explosive_Devices_IED's

Counter-IED National Baseline Assessments and Sub-Regional Prevention and Preparedness Roadmap

Bullets in hand

Virtual Launch of the Ammunition Profiling Handbook in Spanish

PIle of guns

A Comprehensive Approach to Prevent & Mitigate Risk of Diversion

EWIPA

Research Framework: Menu of Indicators to Measure the Reverberating Effects on Civilians from the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas

small arms ammunition

From Data Generation to Policymaking: A Handbook to Profile Small Arms Ammunition in Armed Violence Settings

ammunition management

UNIDIR-AU First Regional Weapons and Ammunition Management Lessons Learned Seminar

Geneva_Peace_Week

Building Bridges: Integrating Arms Control and Conflict Prevention

wam

Informal Dialogue to Take Stock of the Progress, Opportunities and Challenges to Weapons and Ammunition Management and the Implementation of the Arms Embargo in Somalia

CAP_ammunition

Tackling Illicit Flows and Use of Ammunition

Improvised_Explosive_Devices_IED's

IEDs: Past, Present and Future

profressional

The Arms Trade Treaty & Diversion: Assessing Risks and Impacts

profressional

On-line Practitioners Workshop – Strengthening the Community of Practice Integrating Conventional Arms Control into Conflict Prevention

GPW

Geneva Peace Week: Good Practice and Lessons-learned in Transitional Settings (Weapons and Ammunition Management)

Building the Bridge

Building the Bridge: Arms Control to Reduce Violence, Prevent Conflict, and Advance Sustainable Devleopment

Third Thematic Seminar

Third Thematic Seminar: Framing Key Issues and Informing Processes Pertinent to Management of Conventional Ammunition

Increasing Armed UAV Transparency

Increasing Armed UAV Transparency, Oversight and Accountability: What are the concerns and what is possible?

Addressing Armed UAVs

Addressing Armed UAVs: Next Steps for the International Community

Strengthening Weapons and Ammunition Management

Preventing Armed Conflict and Armed Violence

Addressing Glocal Development and Security Challenges

Advice, Support and Capacity-Building

Preventing Armed Conflict and Armed Violence

Strengthening Weapons and Ammunition Management

Advice, Support and Capacity-Building

Addressing Glocal Development and Security Challenges

Peacekeeping in Africa: Capabilities and Culpabilities

European Action on Small Arms, Light Weapons and Explosive Remnants of War

The Scope and Implications of Developing a Mechanism to Prevent the Illicit Brokering in Small Arms

European Commission–United Nations Cooperation in Peacebuilding

Measuring, Prioritizing and Evaluating Efforts to Implement SALW Controls: A Practical Application of the ISACS (Phase I)

Increasing UAV Transparency, Oversight and Accountability

Tackling Diversion (Phase III): Examining Options and Approaches for Strengthening Cooperation with Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) in Conventional Arms Transfers

Group of Experts on the Problem of Ammunition and Explosives

Global Analysis of Explosive Remnants of War

The Humanitarian Impact of Cluster Munitions: Practitioners' Perspectives

Building a Framework for SALW Aid Effectiveness: Opportunities and Challenges

Measuring, Prioritizing and Evaluating Efforts to Implement SALW Controls: A Practical Application of the ISACS (Phase II: Validation, Testing and Launch)

Assessing the Role of Arms Control in Managing Conflict: A Comprehensive Examination of Weapons and Ammunition Management Frameworks, Institutions and Processes in Conflict-affected Settings (WAM I)

Increasing Transparency, Oversight and Accountabilty of Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Phase II)

Disarmament and Conflict Resolution

Transfers of Small Arms, Light Weapons and Ammunition within West Africa and their Consequences on Disarmament and Conflict Prevention Initiatives

Analysis of States' Views on an Arms Trade Treaty

Discourse on Explosive Weapons (DEW)

Research and Development for an Evidence-Based Design Tool for Reintegration Programming (Phase III)

Arms Transfer Dialogue (ATD)

Weapon and Ammunition and Management (WAM) in the Federal Republic of Somalia – Phase III Promoting cooperation and transparency in WAM in Somalia: A national consultative meeting series to strengthen security institutions, governance and management of arms and ammunition

Peace-building and Practical Disarmament in West Africa

Disarmament, Development and Conflict Prevention in West Africa

Cost Benefit Analysis of Small Arms and Light Weapons Destruction

The Road From Oslo: Analysis of Negotiations to Address the Humanitarian Effects of Cluster Munitions

Supporting the Arms Trade Treaty Negotiations Through Regional Discussions and Expertise Sharing

Measuring, Prioritizing and Evaluating Efforts to Implement SALW Controls: Capacity-Building on Small Arms Management through Regional Workshops on the Use and Integration of the ISACS Software Tool (Phase III)

Examining the Roles, Responsibilities and Potential Contributions of Private Sector Industry Actors in Stemming the Flow of Improvised Explosive Devices and Related Materials

Gender-balanced approach to small arms control to strengthen community resilience in Libya (Partnership with UNMAS Libya)

The Costs of Disarmament

Mapping Illicit Small Arms Trafficking

EU and UN Planning for Crisis Management and Peacebuilding: Promoting Best Practice and Inter-institutional Learning

Group of Governmental Experts on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development

Towards a Greater Efficiency of the Programme of Action on Small Arms: Implementation Challenges and Opportunities

Weapons and Ammunition Management in Somalia (Phase II)

Exploring Synergies in Reporting under Multilateral Conventional Arms Treaties and Instruments

Framing and Informing Key Issues and Processes Pertinent to Management of Conventional Ammunition (Ammunition Series)

Arms Control Lexicon

Militarization of Refugee Camps

The Humanitarian and Development Impact of Cluster Munitions: A Case Study

Promoting Discussion on an Arms Trade Treaty

Towards a Greater Efficiency of the Programme of Action on Small Arms: Inter-Agencies Coordination

Tackling Diversion (Phase II): Promoting Regional Dialogue to Enhance Common Understanding and Cooperation to Strengthen End Use/r Control Systems

International Tracing Instrument (ITI) and the Way Forward: Examining Possible Options to Support the Operationalization of the ITI

Strengthening the Role of Regional Organizations in Treaty Implementation

Weapons Destruction and Stockpile Management in South Africa

International Assistance for Implementing the UN Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons

Comparative Analysis of Post-Manufacture Marking Instruments and Practices for SALW

Analysis of PoA Implementation

International Small Arms and Ammunition Guidance Platform (ISAP II): A Platform to Explore Options to Strengthen Arms and Ammunition Management

Preventing Terrorists from Acquiring Weapons: An Expert Seminar to Examine Options to Effectively Implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2370

Participatory Approaches to Evaluating the Implementation of Humanitarian Landmine Action

Capacity Development for Reporting to the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms

Coordinating Action on Small Arms Mechanism Database

Addressing Illicit Brokering Activities: Issues and Control

Norms on Explosive Weapons (NEW)

Promoting a Coordinated and Effective International Approach to IEDs

Assessing the Role of Arms Control in Managing Conflict: A Comprehensive Examination of Weapons and Ammunition Management Frameworks, Institutions and Processes in Conflict-affected Settings: Phase II (WAM II)

Preventing Armed Conflict and Armed Violence

Strengthening Weapons and Ammunition Management

Advice, Support and Capacity-Building

Addressing Glocal Development and Security Challenges

Peacekeeping in Africa: Capabilities and Culpabilities

European Action on Small Arms, Light Weapons and Explosive Remnants of War

The Scope and Implications of Developing a Mechanism to Prevent the Illicit Brokering in Small Arms

European Commission–United Nations Cooperation in Peacebuilding

Measuring, Prioritizing and Evaluating Efforts to Implement SALW Controls: A Practical Application of the ISACS (Phase I)

Increasing UAV Transparency, Oversight and Accountability

Tackling Diversion (Phase III): Examining Options and Approaches for Strengthening Cooperation with Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) in Conventional Arms Transfers

Group of Experts on the Problem of Ammunition and Explosives

Global Analysis of Explosive Remnants of War

The Humanitarian Impact of Cluster Munitions: Practitioners' Perspectives

Building a Framework for SALW Aid Effectiveness: Opportunities and Challenges

Measuring, Prioritizing and Evaluating Efforts to Implement SALW Controls: A Practical Application of the ISACS (Phase II: Validation, Testing and Launch)

Assessing the Role of Arms Control in Managing Conflict: A Comprehensive Examination of Weapons and Ammunition Management Frameworks, Institutions and Processes in Conflict-affected Settings (WAM I)

Increasing Transparency, Oversight and Accountabilty of Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Phase II)

Disarmament and Conflict Resolution

Transfers of Small Arms, Light Weapons and Ammunition within West Africa and their Consequences on Disarmament and Conflict Prevention Initiatives

Analysis of States' Views on an Arms Trade Treaty

Discourse on Explosive Weapons (DEW)

Research and Development for an Evidence-Based Design Tool for Reintegration Programming (Phase III)

Arms Transfer Dialogue (ATD)

Weapon and Ammunition and Management (WAM) in the Federal Republic of Somalia – Phase III Promoting cooperation and transparency in WAM in Somalia: A national consultative meeting series to strengthen security institutions, governance and management of arms and ammunition

Peace-building and Practical Disarmament in West Africa

Disarmament, Development and Conflict Prevention in West Africa

Cost Benefit Analysis of Small Arms and Light Weapons Destruction

The Road From Oslo: Analysis of Negotiations to Address the Humanitarian Effects of Cluster Munitions

Supporting the Arms Trade Treaty Negotiations Through Regional Discussions and Expertise Sharing

Measuring, Prioritizing and Evaluating Efforts to Implement SALW Controls: Capacity-Building on Small Arms Management through Regional Workshops on the Use and Integration of the ISACS Software Tool (Phase III)

Examining the Roles, Responsibilities and Potential Contributions of Private Sector Industry Actors in Stemming the Flow of Improvised Explosive Devices and Related Materials

Gender-balanced approach to small arms control to strengthen community resilience in Libya (Partnership with UNMAS Libya)

The Costs of Disarmament

Mapping Illicit Small Arms Trafficking

EU and UN Planning for Crisis Management and Peacebuilding: Promoting Best Practice and Inter-institutional Learning

Group of Governmental Experts on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development

Towards a Greater Efficiency of the Programme of Action on Small Arms: Implementation Challenges and Opportunities

Weapons and Ammunition Management in Somalia (Phase II)

Exploring Synergies in Reporting under Multilateral Conventional Arms Treaties and Instruments

Framing and Informing Key Issues and Processes Pertinent to Management of Conventional Ammunition (Ammunition Series)

Arms Control Lexicon

Militarization of Refugee Camps

The Humanitarian and Development Impact of Cluster Munitions: A Case Study

Promoting Discussion on an Arms Trade Treaty

Towards a Greater Efficiency of the Programme of Action on Small Arms: Inter-Agencies Coordination

Tackling Diversion (Phase II): Promoting Regional Dialogue to Enhance Common Understanding and Cooperation to Strengthen End Use/r Control Systems

International Tracing Instrument (ITI) and the Way Forward: Examining Possible Options to Support the Operationalization of the ITI

Strengthening the Role of Regional Organizations in Treaty Implementation

Weapons Destruction and Stockpile Management in South Africa

International Assistance for Implementing the UN Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons

Comparative Analysis of Post-Manufacture Marking Instruments and Practices for SALW

Analysis of PoA Implementation

International Small Arms and Ammunition Guidance Platform (ISAP II): A Platform to Explore Options to Strengthen Arms and Ammunition Management

Preventing Terrorists from Acquiring Weapons: An Expert Seminar to Examine Options to Effectively Implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2370

Participatory Approaches to Evaluating the Implementation of Humanitarian Landmine Action

Capacity Development for Reporting to the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms

Coordinating Action on Small Arms Mechanism Database

Addressing Illicit Brokering Activities: Issues and Control

Norms on Explosive Weapons (NEW)

Promoting a Coordinated and Effective International Approach to IEDs

Assessing the Role of Arms Control in Managing Conflict: A Comprehensive Examination of Weapons and Ammunition Management Frameworks, Institutions and Processes in Conflict-affected Settings: Phase II (WAM II)

Urban Violence: Adapting Arms Control to New Environments

Illicit Traffic of Small Arms and Sensitive Technologies

The Way Forward on Cluster Munitions: Humanitarian Impacts and International Responses

The Scope of an Arms Trade Treaty: Including Small Arms, Light Weapons and Ammunition

Experts Meeting on Drones and Robots Under International Law

Disarmament, Health and Humanitarian Action: Putting People First

Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Education

The Scope of an Arms Trade Treaty: How to Keep the Treaty Adaptable to Technological Developments

Addressing Armed UAVs: Next Steps for the International Community

Problems of Small Arms and Light Weapons on Human Security: Lessons Learned from Field Experiences

Conventional Arms Control and Disarmament: New Avenues

Briefing on the Arms Trade Treaty and the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons for the Francophone Ambassadors Group to the United Nations in Geneva

Increasing Armed UAV Transparency, Oversight and Accountability: What are the concerns and what is possible?

Disarmament as Humanitarian Action

Informal Roundtable Discussion on the 'Road Map' for the Middle East and the Prospects for Peace in the Region

Making the PoA Work: Three Practical Tools for States

Reinforcing Disarmament: Combating Illicit Trade in Weapons and Materials—Regional Challenges

Building the Bridge: Arms Control to Reduce Violence, Prevent Conflict, and Advance Sustainable Devleopment

Peacebuilding in West Africa

Launch of Open Skies: A Cooperative Approach to Military Transparency and Confidence-Building

Non-state Actors and the Arms Trade Treaty Initiative: Challenges and Opportunities

Towards a Practical and Implementable Arms Trade Treaty: Addressing Technology Transfers

Third Thematic Seminar: Framing Key Issues and Informing Processes Pertinent to Management of Conventional Ammunition

Trust- and Confidence-Building Measures in South Asia

25th Anniversary Debate: Human security should be the fundamental basis for multilateral disarmament and arms control negotiations

Reinforcing Disarmament: Combating Illicit Trade in Weapons and Materials—Actors, Synergies, Challenges

Towards the Arms Trade Treaty Negotiations: Commonalities of Common Positions

Electronic Conference on a New Agenda for Security and Disarmament

Exploring Criteria and Conditions for Engaging Armed Non-State Actors to Respect Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law

Ideas for Disarmament and Security Thinking: Why Research Matters

UN Processes for Regulating Transfers of Conventional Weapons

A Peace of Timbuktu: Democratic Governance, Development and African Peacemaking

Preventing the Spread of Weapons to Non-State Armed Groups

Briefing on the First Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions for the Francophone Ambassadors Group to the UN in Geneva

Arms Trade Treaty: Perspectives and Implementation Issues

Urban Violence: Adapting Arms Control to New Environments

Illicit Traffic of Small Arms and Sensitive Technologies

The Way Forward on Cluster Munitions: Humanitarian Impacts and International Responses

The Scope of an Arms Trade Treaty: Including Small Arms, Light Weapons and Ammunition

Experts Meeting on Drones and Robots Under International Law

Disarmament, Health and Humanitarian Action: Putting People First

Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Education

The Scope of an Arms Trade Treaty: How to Keep the Treaty Adaptable to Technological Developments

Addressing Armed UAVs: Next Steps for the International Community

Problems of Small Arms and Light Weapons on Human Security: Lessons Learned from Field Experiences

Conventional Arms Control and Disarmament: New Avenues

Briefing on the Arms Trade Treaty and the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons for the Francophone Ambassadors Group to the United Nations in Geneva

Increasing Armed UAV Transparency, Oversight and Accountability: What are the concerns and what is possible?

Disarmament as Humanitarian Action

Informal Roundtable Discussion on the 'Road Map' for the Middle East and the Prospects for Peace in the Region

Making the PoA Work: Three Practical Tools for States

Reinforcing Disarmament: Combating Illicit Trade in Weapons and Materials—Regional Challenges

Building the Bridge: Arms Control to Reduce Violence, Prevent Conflict, and Advance Sustainable Devleopment

Peacebuilding in West Africa

Launch of Open Skies: A Cooperative Approach to Military Transparency and Confidence-Building

Non-state Actors and the Arms Trade Treaty Initiative: Challenges and Opportunities

Towards a Practical and Implementable Arms Trade Treaty: Addressing Technology Transfers

Third Thematic Seminar: Framing Key Issues and Informing Processes Pertinent to Management of Conventional Ammunition

Trust- and Confidence-Building Measures in South Asia

25th Anniversary Debate: Human security should be the fundamental basis for multilateral disarmament and arms control negotiations

Reinforcing Disarmament: Combating Illicit Trade in Weapons and Materials—Actors, Synergies, Challenges

Towards the Arms Trade Treaty Negotiations: Commonalities of Common Positions

Electronic Conference on a New Agenda for Security and Disarmament

Exploring Criteria and Conditions for Engaging Armed Non-State Actors to Respect Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law

Ideas for Disarmament and Security Thinking: Why Research Matters

UN Processes for Regulating Transfers of Conventional Weapons

A Peace of Timbuktu: Democratic Governance, Development and African Peacemaking

Preventing the Spread of Weapons to Non-State Armed Groups

Briefing on the First Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions for the Francophone Ambassadors Group to the UN in Geneva

Arms Trade Treaty: Perspectives and Implementation Issues