Current Research

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

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

01/03/2017

Due to the increased high-level dialogue and attention paid to the issue of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at the multilateral level, the international community appears to have reached a common understanding regarding the urgent need to address these weapons in a holistic and comprehensive manner. Most notably, the 2016 Report of the United Nations Secretary General A/71/187 on ‘Countering the threat posed by improvised explosive devices’ notes that the most effective way forward in stemming the proliferation of IEDs is a ‘whole-of-government approach’ coupled with a similarly inclusive and multifaceted approach at the international level. Given the unique problem space of IEDs, particularly their non-traditional means of production, engaging non-governmental private sector stakeholders is an essential component in this inclusive and multifaceted approach.

Building on operational paragraph 15 and 23 of the United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/71/72 (2016), UNIDIR will hold separate consultative meetings with States and private sector actors in an effort to explore the private sector's roles and responsibilities in, and potential contributions to, stemming the flow of IEDs and related materials. This project seeks to build on areas of common understanding and clarify areas where there is a lack of consensus in order to identify challenges, opportunities and ways forward for private sector’s engagement in countering the proliferation of IEDs. The expected outcome of this project is increased awareness, clarity and understanding among States and private sector stakeholders regarding ways to engage one another in order to stem the proliferation of IEDs and related materials.

The key findings and observations of this UNIDIR project will contribute to the current momentum towards greater control over the proliferation of IEDs through a holistic approach. UNIDIR seeks to provide food-for-thought to States and relevant stakeholders in advance of the 72nd United Nations General Assembly provisional agenda sub-item on ‘Countering the threat posed by improvised explosive devices.

Researchers: Himayu Shiotani, Hardy Giezendanner, Daniel Golston.

Support from UNIDIR's core funders provides the foundation for all of the Institute's activities.
In addition, dedicated project funding was received from the Government of France.