Disarmament Orientation Course

The Disarmament Orientation Course provides knowledge and deeper understanding of key concepts of disarmament and arms control as well as the 21st century global security landscape.

To support the Geneva diplomatic community in its disarmament and arms control efforts in an increasingly complex security environment, the annual Disarmament Orientation Course introduces newly arrived diplomats to the Geneva disarmament community and the topics at stake. The course is jointly offered by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and the Geneva Branch of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).

The course aims to promote an enhanced understanding of relevant disarmament and arms control concepts, issues and mechanisms; to increase levels of participation in Geneva-based processes and discussions; and to foster relationships of trust within the Geneva-based disarmament community.

Dr. Ángel V. Horna (Peru) shares his experience of the course (subtitles EN/ES)
Over the course of two weeks, five in-depth modules address current trends and developments in key thematic topics, including weapons of mass destruction, conventional weapons, space, missiles, information and communications technology, artificial intelligence, lethal autonomous weapon systems and cybersecurity, as well as cross-cutting topics such as gender, inclusivity and youth.

The course is open to diplomats or officials with responsibilities for disarmament and arms control matters who have recently arrived in Geneva. The next edition will take place as an in-person event at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, between 16 and 26 September 2024.

For any questions or queries, please contact: doc@un.org

*The 2024 agenda and course material will be made available to registered participants in due time. Materials relating to of the 2023 edition are available below

2023 Disarmament Orientation Course Modules

Key learning objectives

Understand the relationship and interactions between the global political and security environment and disarmament diplomacy.
Acquire knowledge about the roles and operations of the key components of the multilateral disarmament machinery.
Understand linkages between multilateral, regional and national agendas.

Topics

The global security context: An overview of current and recent developments and their implications for arms control and disarmament.
Disarmament machinery: the role, history and current situation of the Conference on Disarmament; other mechanisms within and outside the UN.

Key learning objectives

Understand the key issues and treaties in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and acquire an overview of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), verification, and consequences of nuclear weapons use.
Understand the key issues and treaties related to biological weapons and acquire an overview of the challenges and opportunities related to the Biological Weapons Convention.
Acquire knowledge about gender perspectives on WMD.

Topics

Biological Weapons Convention
Verification; Science & technology; cooperation in BWC; gender perspectives; consequences of nuclear weapons use; nuclear numbers; NPT and TPNW.

Key learning objectives

Understand the key issues and current developments relating to international Conventions that prohibit or restrict the use of certain types of conventional weapons.
Understand the key issues and current developments relating to international treaties and processes that regulate the transfer and use of conventional weapons and ammunition.

Topics

Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW).
Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC).
Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM).
The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and other processes that regulate the transfer and use of conventional weapons and ammunition.
Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA).

Key learning objectives

Understand the key issues and emerging challenges for multilateral governance of space, missiles, and related technologies.
Acquire an overview of current multilateral processes regulating space systems and missile technologies, and their use

Topics

Space: the PAROS process; the Open-Ended Working Group on Space, differing approaches to space security (legally binding and politically binding mechanisms), advances in dual use space-related technologies.
Missiles: Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Hague Code of Conduct, hypersonic weapons.

Key learning objectives

Introduce the different processes and concepts; participants will be familiarized with the main concepts surrounding these topics, milestones and significant upcoming events.

Topics

CCW Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS), the main concepts relating to LAWS, an overview of proposals made to date on LAWS governance and information on upcoming processes at the CCW and General Assembly.
The status of current multilateral negotiations in the cyber domain, including a brief historical recap (OEWG, past GGEs, and a quick mention of the Ad Hoc Committee on cybercrime); the main points of contention in the current OEWG (e.g. International Law and future regular institutional dialogue); possible pathways for the remaining 2 years of negotiations under the OEWG.
The integration of AI in the military domain beyond lethal autonomous weapon systems, including the nascent efforts at the national and international level to move towards responsible approaches and behaviours.