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This publication contains the winning stories of the Republic of Korea-United Nations Sci-fAI Futures Youth Challenge. The challenge is a creative and thought-provoking initiative designed to engage young minds in imagining the future role of artificial intelligence (AI) in international peace and security. Young people from 13 to 29 submitted written or webtoon stories envisioning a fictional world in the year 2145 where AI would have been taken onboard by militaries around the world. Youth authors reflected on how AI could be used in or to prevent armed conflicts, its potential interactions with other emerging technologies, potential risks and positive scenarios in which AI is leveraged for good in the military …

The Yearbook, now in its forty-eighth volume, provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of recent developments and trends in the field of disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control, including the relevant activities and achievements of the United Nations and other actors. The aim of this early-release preview edition, published last July, aimed to share key findings from the Yearbook at an earlier stage and provide a concise exploration of disarmament-related developments and trends from …

Dear Colleagues, We are very pleased to share with you the eighth issue of our newsletter for the UNSGM. In the previous two issues, we have highlighted the recent increase in offerings of training activities for experts on the UNSGM roster – a trend that has continued in the first half of 2024. During this time, UNODA has also been able to offer two new courses for the UNSGM: one on ‘Investigative Interview Skills’ in February 2024 with support from the Institute for International Criminal Investigations (IICI), VERTIC, and the United States, and one on ‘Decontamination Skills’ in May 2024 with support from Portugal. In this issue, we share details on these new courses, as well as the second training course on ‘Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE)’ which took place in May 2024, again with support from the United Nations Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS). In addition to training courses, UNODA has also been busy with other activities in support of the …

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into military applications, such as weapon systems, decision-support tools, and various other tasks, poses opportunities and challenges to international peace and security. Military applications of AI can exacerbate and amplify existing risks and could also lead to new unintended consequences. Rapid developments in this technological domain have outpaced the development of guardrails to mitigate such risks. This publication aims to enhance the international community’s understanding of the governance of AI in the military domain. It outlines the opportunities and risks associated with military applications of AI, highlights areas of contention within the expert and diplomatic communities, and offers policy recommendations and options for its multilateral …

In December 2023, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management (GFA) through resolution 78/47. This Voluntary Guide has been developed to support stakeholders in understanding the political commitments set out in the Framework’s 15 Objectives and to help translate its enabling measures into concrete actions at the national, subregional, regional, and global levels. The Guide comprises 15 chapters—each corresponding to one of the Framework’s Objectives. Each chapter provides an overview of the Objective and presents practical examples and illustrative case studies to highlight possible approaches for implementing its enabling measures. In line with the structure of the Global Framework, the Guide also includes dedicated chapters on international cooperation and assistance, as well as on follow-up and review. This Guide has been jointly developed by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the …

This working paper provides an overview of the Global Framework. After setting out a brief history of the process of its elaboration and adoption, the main objectives of the Global Framework are discussed. The 15 objectives are briefly summarised with reference to the rationale for each objective as set out in the Annex of the Global Framework. Synergies with other international and regional arms control instruments are examined. The paper then looks at some of the main opportunities and potential challenges for countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region and provides recommendations to support the implementation of the Global Framework in this …

In 2023, United Nations Member States adopted a new international instrument containing political commitments to prevent diversion, illicit trafficking, and misuse of ammunition; mitigate and prevent unplanned explosions at munition sites; ensure the safety and security of conventional ammunition throughout its life-cycle from the point of manufacture; and contribute to lasting peace, security and sustainable development. The Global Framework covers all types of ammunition: from small-calibre to the largest conventional ammunition. It contains 15 objectives and 85 concrete measures to promote the safety, security and sustainability of through-life conventional ammunition …

This paper examines the key role of parliamentary diplomacy in foreign affairs, focusing specifically on its influence in the field of disarmament. It analyses the impact parliamentarians can have on these issues, identifying a number of good practices and effective strategies. In addition, it offers specific policy recommendations and highlights resources available to strengthen the capacity of parliaments and other stakeholders to enhance and expand their influence in promoting effective disarmament agreements at the international …

Dear Colleagues, As we begin the new year, we are very pleased to share with you the seventh issue of our newsletter for the UNSGM. In our last issue, we highlighted the importance of training activities for experts nominated to the UNSGM roster and shared an overview of the updates made in recent years to the training programme for experts. In this issue, we provide details on several training activities conducted in the second half of 2023, including a Basic Training Course organized in September 2023 with support from France, an advanced skill training course on the Transportation of Infectious Substances organized in September 2023 with support from Germany and Canada, and an advanced skill training course on Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE) organized with support from the United Nations Department of Safety and Security.  As always, we are extremely grateful for the support received from partners for these courses, and very pleased to share that this pace …