UNIDIR’s Science and Technology Watchtower: Monitoring Innovation for Disarmament

UNIDIR’s Science and Technology Watchtower is a three-year research project (2025–2028), supported by the European Union, focused on identifying emerging science and technology developments and analysing their implications for disarmament and international security.

Rapid advances in emerging science and technology are reshaping the global security landscape. As the boundaries between civilian and military applications become increasingly blurred, these developments present both opportunities and challenges for arms control, disarmament and international security.

As a result, the Watchtower project responds to the growing gap between the pace of technological innovation and existing disarmament governance frameworks.

The Watchtower project aims to identify and analyse science and technology developments and their implications for disarmament and international security.

The project at a glance

The Watchtower project contributes to the systematic identification and analysis of scientific and technological developments and their implications for disarmament and international security across three focus areas: conventional arms and ammunition, weapons of mass destruction and information and communications technologies (ICTs).

Through research, public events and continuous horizon scanning of emerging technologies, the project aims to:

Support evidence-based policymaking: Provide research and analysis on the risks and opportunities associated with emerging science and technology developments across multiple technology areas.
Strengthen knowledge and understanding: Facilitate knowledge-building on the scientific and technological dimensions of international security and disarmament.
Connect relevant stakeholders: Bridge expert communities and Member States engaged in multilateral disarmament processes to support knowledge exchange and informed dialogue.

4 December 2025

Security and Technology

Event

Science and technology monitoring in the context of disarmament: UNIDIR Science and Technology Watchtower project launch

27 October 2025

Expert networks

As a key pillar of the Science and Technology Watchtower project, UNIDIR is establishing three expert networks focused on the intersection of emerging technologies and disarmament:

Conventional Arms and Ammunition Expert Network
Nuclear Weapons Expert Network
Chemical and Biological Weapons Expert Network

These networks bring together independent scientific experts and specialists in disarmament to strengthen understanding of how emerging technologies are reshaping international security.

The expert networks support the the project’s systematic analysis of science and technology developments relevant to disarmament and international security. They help identify emerging risks, practical challenges and new opportunities linked to technological innovation, ensuring that disarmament processes remain responsive to scientific and technological change.

Learn more

Cross-Programme

Publication

Additive Manufacturing of Conventional Military Equipment: Implications for Arms Control and Security

11 May 2026

Cross-Programme

Publication

Cyberbiosecurity: A Matter of International Peace and Security?

8 September 2025

Security and Technology

UNIDIR launches Science and Technology Watchtower for global security

6 January 2026

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