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This Occasional Paper commemorates the forty-fifth anniversary of the Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters (ABDM), a unique body that provides expert advice to the United Nations Secretary-General on issues related to disarmament and international security. Drawing on the insights and experiences of current and former members, the publication highlights the Board’s contributions to advancing multilateral disarmament, its distinctive features and strengths, and its potential role in addressing the pressing challenges of today’s …

In line with its 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, UNODA raised awareness about UNSCR 1540, organized national capacity building activities, facilitated inter-agency dialogue and planning, and fostered discussion and cooperation on a range of thematic topics. UNODA’s outreach and support efforts in 2023 built on the notable progress made by States in previous years as documented in the 2022 comprehensive review of the status of the implementation of UNSCR 1540, conducted by the 1540 Committee. …

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement ushers in a new phase of the continent’s integration and development agenda. It seeks to create a single liberalized market of goods and services and promote industrial development through diversification and regional value chain development. This policy brief explores the interplay between United Nations Security Council resolution 1540 (2004) and the AfCFTA Agreement. It overviews the regional trends propelling growth in trade and industry that will in turn increase the demand for advanced, and potentially dual-use technologies, materials, and equipment from a range of sectors including energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and extractive industries. The policy brief highlights the importance of ensuring that the benefits to be reaped from removing barriers to trade are not overshadowed by the risk of illicit transfers of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons and related materials by and to non-State actors. It identifies …

The United Nations (UN) provides an essential forum for countries and peoples to work together for our highest shared values. Amidst unprecedented global challenges, investments in disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control can help prevent violence and reduce armed conflict where they happen, freeing societies to pursue sustainable development and long-term political solutions. Published each year by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), Programmes Financed from Voluntary Contributions highlights the value of investing in disarmament as a preventative tool for peace and security. In the words of A New Agenda for Peace, “Every violent death is preventable, and it is our collective moral responsibility to achieve this goal.” By continuing to combine our financial and human assets, we can contribute together to a future where international peace and security are a reality for …

At the second Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the Scientific Advisory Group presented its report on the status and developments regarding nuclear weapons, nuclear weapon risks, the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, nuclear disarmament and related issues. This enhanced layout of the report includes maps and infographics not published in the parliamentary version. …

Dear Colleagues, We are very pleased to share with you the sixth issue of our newsletter. The focus of this issue is on two of the recently completed training activities for experts on the UNSGM roster – an advanced skill training course in Biological Crime Scene Management organized in February with support from INTERPOL and Canada, and another Basic Training Course organized in June with support from South Africa. We are also very pleased to report that additional training courses are planned for the remainder of 2023, and the calendar for 2024 is already starting to fill up. As always, you can find more information on upcoming activities in the final section of the newsletter.  As can be seen by all these activities, the increased investment of time, energy and resources is starting to pay off and UNODA sees increasing interest from partners in coordinating with UNODA on in-person training activities for the UNSGM. As such, we have also included a short update on the improvements …

This report encapsulates the outcomes of the two-day conference entitled ‘Scientific and Technological Developments: Benefits and Risks for the Biological Weapons Convention’ held in October 2022 in New Delhi, India. It was organised by the UNODA in partnership with the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA). The Conference’s primary objective was to review developments in science and technology relevant to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and to prepare for the Ninth BWC Review Conference. The Conference report provides expert insights on the evolving science and technology landscape in the context of the BWC, including in the fields of synthetic biology, public health responses, neurotechnology and …

Concise reference tool on disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control issues Includes developments and trends , a convenient issue-oriented timeline and explanatory graphics and charts Annex on resolutions, status of treaties and other resources : a one-stop-shop to access recommended 2022 information materials, including publications and the following databases: Disarmament Resolutions and Decisions Database : texts, sponsors, voting patterns and other related information. Disarmament Treaties Database : status of multilateral regulation and disarmament agreements. User-friendly: Website version accessible on mobile devices and available in multiple languages through third-party machine translation (see how: Chrome | Safari). Official translations in the six official languages of the United Nations will be uploaded as they become available.   Condensed and full Yearbook Advance and condensed version : Provides an easy-to-read overview of the publication earlier in the year. …

The COVID-19 outbreak posed an unprecedented challenge to intergovernmental disarmament institutions and processes. This publication offers an extensive review of relevant developments at the United Nations, particularly in the General Assembly and the Security Council, as well as in the disarmament machinery and other disarmament bodies and processes. After comparing the varying responses to the pandemic, the author considers whether the outbreak should serve as a catalyst for rethinking and changing multilateral working methods or rules of …

The Guide to Implementing the Biological Weapons Convention has been developed by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), with the support of the European Union and Norway and the contributions of a wide range of BWC experts, to assist States Parties in their efforts to implement the Convention at the national level. The Guide is primarily intended to provide an overview of the national implementation process and obligations stemming from the BWC. Its primary audience is States Parties initiating or already engaged in the BWC implementation process or States Parties interested in assessing their implementing framework. The Guide outlines the types of legislative, regulatory and other measures that States Parties may consider developing and adopting in order to effectively implement the BWC. The Guide is available in all 6 UN official languages. Furthermore, in response to requests from Lusophone countries, the Guide is also available in …