United Nations
Office for Disarmament
Affairs
Spotlights
See the top, latest stories and events coming from UNODA.
High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu Delivers Opening Plenary Keynote Remarks at the Singapore International Cyber Week "Shaping the Next Era of Global Cybersecurity
High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu Delivered remarks at the Singapore International Cyber Week
High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu Delivers Keynote Remarks at "Nobel Laureates and the Prevention of Nuclear War" Event
High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu delivered keynote remarks at the "Nobel Laureates and the Prevention of Nuclear War," event in New York
UNODA organizes Basic Training ‘Refresher’ for UNSGM Experts
From 5 to 11 October 2025, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs organized a Basic Training ‘Refresher’ course for the United Nations Secretary-General’s Mechanism for Investigations of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons (UNSGM) in Cha Am, Thailand.
High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu Delivers Remarks to the Opening of the 80th Session of the First Committee of the General Assembly
High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu delivered remarks to the opening of the 80th Session of the First Committee at the United Nations Headquarters.
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: New Ratification and Signature
On 26 Sept, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was ratified by Ghana and was signed by Kyrgyzstan.
Full version: 2024 Disarmament Yearbook
The full edition of the 2024 UN Disarmament Yearbook is out!
High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu Delivers Remarks at the 2025 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) Article XIV Conference
High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu delivered Remarks at the 2025 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) Article XIV Conference at the United Nations Headquarters.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has ratified the Kinshasa Convention, becoming the 9th State party
On 25 Sept, the Democratic Republic of the Congo ratified the Central African Convention for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu Delivers Remarks at the First Ministerial Meeting of the Friends of the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty
The High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu delivered remarks at the First Ministerial Meeting of the Friends of the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty
Updates
See the top, latest stories and events coming from UNODA.
Side event on “Advancing NPT Article VI Goals as New START Expires”
On 9 October, Austria, the Arms Control Association and DeepCuts held a side event on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly First Committee to discuss advancing the goals of Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), particularly in light of the anticipated expiration of the New START Treaty in February 2026.
Austria, together with other States, recently circulated a joint statement calling for “the urgent commencement of negotiations for a successor agreement” to New START, formally called the Treaty on Measures for the…
UNREC Convenes Webinar on “Rebalancing Security for Sustainable Development”
Lomé, 10 October 2025: The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) hosted a regional webinar on “Rebalancing Security for Sustainable Development,” bringing together African Member States, regional organizations, and civil society actors to discuss the UN Secretary-General’s report, “The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future.”
The webinar explored the impact of rising military spending on social investment and human security in Africa. Participants emphasized the need to align national security…
UNODA organizes Basic Training ‘Refresher’ for UNSGM Experts
From 5 to 11 October 2025, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs organized a Basic Training ‘Refresher’ course for the United Nations Secretary-General’s Mechanism for Investigations of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons (UNSGM) in Cha Am, Thailand.
Basic training courses for the UNSGM are aimed at providing experts nominated by UN Member States to the UNSGM roster with a better understanding of their role in carrying out investigations of alleged use of biological weapons should they be deployed as…
UN Secretary-General’s report on “Rebalancing Military Spending for Sustainable Peace and Development” is the subject of Vienna Conversation Series event
In the 2024 Pact for the Future, Member States requested the Secretary-General “to provide analysis on the impact of the global increase in military expenditure on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals”. The report The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future was published in September 2025 and highlighted at a press conference with the Secretary-General, as well as two events on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the General Assembly: an interview between the High Representative and the Acting Administrator of the UN…
Events and Announcements
See the top events and announcements from UNODA.
Meetings and Events
Announcements
2024 Disarmament Yearbook
The full edition of the 2024 Disarmament Yearbook is out!
Gender Perspectives course
New "Gender Perspectives on Disarmament" course available
SG Statements
HR Statements
Press Releases
ODA at a glance
UNODA supports the development and implementation of practical disarmament measures after a conflict, such as disarming and demobilizing former combatants and helping them to reintegrate in civil society.
Established in January 1998
United Nations ODA was established in January 1998 as the Department for Disarmament Affairs which was part of the SG’s programme for reform in accordance with his report to the General Assembly (A/51/950).
Supports General and complete disarmament
The Office for Disarmament Affairs supports multilateral efforts aimed at achieving the ultimate goal of general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control. The mandate for the programme is derived from the priorities established in relevant General Assembly resolutions and decisions in the field of disarmament, including the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly, the first special session devoted to disarmament (resolution S-10/2).
Provides support in the area of disarmament
UNODA provides substantive and organizational support for norm-setting in the area of disarmament through the work of the General Assembly and its First Committee, the Disarmament Commission, the Conference on Disarmament and other bodies. It fosters disarmament measures through dialogue, transparency and confidence-building on military matters, and encourages regional disarmament efforts; these include the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms and regional forums.
Provides information to Member States
UNODA provides objective, impartial and up-to-date information on multilateral disarmament issues and activities to Member States, States parties to multilateral agreements, intergovernmental organizations and institutions, departments and agencies of the United Nations system, research and educational institutions, civil society, especially non-governmental organizations, the media and the general public.
Structure of ODA
The main parts of the Office for Disarmament Affairs, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat. All were established in 1945 when the UN was founded.
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Support to multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation efforts with respect to weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Conventional Arms
Focusing disarmament and arms control efforts on all weapons not considered WMD, including small arms and light weapons (SALW).
Regional Disarmament
The enhancement of global disarmament and international peace and security through the support and promotion of regional disarmament efforts.
Emerging Challenges
Include UNODA’s work in science and technology, AI, autonomous weapons, ICT and outer space, among other areas.
Cross-cutting issues
Include UNODA’s work in education, youth, gender, counter-terrorism the environment, among other areas.
Watch and Learn
Video and audio from across the United Nations and our world-wide family of agencies, funds, and programmes.
What is disarmament?
Throughout history, countries have pursued disarmament to stop arms races, build trust, and protect people from harm. Disarmament has been central to the work of the United Nations since its founding, and it is critical for building a more secure and peaceful world. But what actually is disarmament? This video introduces audiences to the ideas and concepts behind disarmament and arms control.
How does disarmament and arms control work?
This video takes a look at the processes and mechanisms behind modern disarmament and arms control, and how we work together to realise disarmament goals.
How to engage
In this video we look at how individuals can engage with disarmament, and the importance of strengthening cooperation and coordination at all levels. We also look at the need to engage with more diverse groups to bring new perspectives, expertise and ideas to the table.
Disarmament in the 21st Century
This video introduces audiences to “Securing our Common Future”, the Secretary-General’s Agenda for Disarmament. The Agenda is based on four key pillars designed to bring the objectives of disarmament into the 21st century. Examining each of the pillars, this video looks at how we approach disarmament today.
Disarmament and the Sustainable Development Goals
Here we take a look at the vital role disarmament and arms control play in achieving the sustainable development goals.
