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Youth for Biosecurity Fellows explore topics related to the Biological Weapons Convention in Official Study Visit
The deliberate inclusion and meaningful participation of young scientists is essential to strengthen frameworks that safeguard biosecurity matters. In this context, the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs’ Geneva Branch brought together 20 young scientists under the Youth for Biosecurity Initiative. The call for applications to the third edition of the Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship received over 2,400 applications from 115 countries. Selected participants began their journeys with a series of five substantive webinars from 16 June to 23 July 2025. Each webinar explored a topic…
Call for Interviews: Study on Small Arms and Light Weapons Marking Recovery and Obliterated Markings of SALW
At its 79th session, the UN General Assembly requested the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) to conduct a study on obliterated markings and methods for marking recovery in the context of the International Tracing Instrument (ITI). Obliterated markings refer to the deliberate erasing or alteration of identifying marks on small arms and light weapons (SALW), such as serial numbers or factory codes. It is a known problem that these markings are often removed by unauthorized users to hinder the tracing of illicit weapons. This practice poses a serious challenge to…
Supporting AI practitioners in addressing critical risks – launching the Handbook on Responsible Innovation in AI for International Peace and Security
Driven by factors like breakthroughs in machine learning, access to data, and hardware innovations, advances in AI are being employed in fields from drug discovery to supply chain management. However, the same advances also present real risks to international peace and security. While some of this stems from AI’s potential for military purposes, even AI developments intended solely for civilian use can be repurposed for malicious or harmful ends, ranging from disinformation campaigns, and cyber-attacks to terrorist operations. Technology is not inherently neutral, and decisions…
2025 UN SaferGuard Training for Women Ammunition Technical Experts
Reception hosted by Mag. Klaudia Tanner, Minister of Defence of Austria “You are part of a growing community of women trailblazers who are shaping the future of safe, secure and sustainable ammunition management,” said Rebecca Jovin, Chief of UNODA Vienna Office in her closing remarks. “We look forward to seeing the many ways in which you will continue to lead and inspire.” With this powerful message, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) concluded the third UN SaferGuard Training for Women Ammunition Technical Experts on the International Ammunition Technical…
Vienna Conversation Series event on “Enhancing the disarmament regime: A conversation with the UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs”
On 3 July 2025, the Vienna Office of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), in partnership with the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP), hosted an interactive webinar titled “Enhancing the disarmament regime: A conversation with the UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs.” The Vienna community was invited to engage with the High Representative on developments, dynamics and prospects impacting non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control. Webinar participants were welcomed by Ms. Rebecca Jovin,…
Mauritius and Seychelles build capacities to strengthen national implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention
Delegates at the Stakeholder Workshop on Legislative Implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention, Port Louis, Mauritius (10 June 2025) On 10 and 11 and 26 and 27 June, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), in collaboration with the governments of Mauritius and Seychelles, respectively, held national workshops focussing on strengthening implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and promoting broad national and regional cooperation to that end. The first workshop, held in Port Louis, Mauritius brought together national stakeholders to review…
UNSGM experts join basic training course in South Africa
From 9 to 20 June 2025, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a division of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) of South Africa, in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, organized another basic training course for the United Nations Secretary-General’s Mechanism for Investigations of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons (UNSGM) in Johannesburg, South Africa. The basic training course for the UNSGM was aimed at providing experts nominated by UN Member States to the UNSGM roster with a better understanding of their role…
UNODA & IICI organize training course on ‘Investigative Interview Skills’ for UNSGM experts
The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), in cooperation with the Institute for International Criminal Investigations (IICI), organized a training course on ‘Investigative Interview Skills’ for the United Nations Secretary-General’s Mechanism for Investigation of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons (UNSGM), from 26-30 May in Brindisi, Italy. The objective of the course was to provide a group of qualified experts nominated by Member States to the UNSGM roster with a better understanding of interview management techniques in the context of a…
Government officials from over 30 countries join workshops about reporting on conventional arms transfers
On 8 and 9 May 2025, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) partnered with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) to organize virtual training workshops for Permanent Missions and national focal points on preparing reports to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms (UNROCA). Workshops were offered in French and Spanish in addition to English for the first time this year to better serve and engage with Member States. Following the adoption of UN General Assembly resolution 46/36 L the UNROCA was established in 1991.…
UNODA reinforces implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) in Cameroon
On 22 and 23 April 2025 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the Ministry of External Relations of Cameroon organized a national workshop on strengthening the implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). Since it joined the BWC in January 2013, Cameroon has been at the forefront of promoting the Convention in Central Africa, including its universalization and effective implementation. In May 2023 in Douala, Cameroon hosted a Sub-regional Workshop for Central Africa on the Universalization and Effective Implementation of…