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“Disarmament in Geneva” spotlighted on UN Open Day
The United Nations Office at Geneva opened its doors on 7 October to the general public to inform them of its work and engage with them on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Geneva Branch of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs actively participated in the Open Day to showcase that the SDGs make it clear there cannot be development without peace and security. Efforts were made to emphasize the role of Geneva as the birthplace of many modern-day disarmament treaties …
Autonomous Weapon Systems: Understanding Learning Algorithms and Bias
On 5 October 2017, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) hosted a side event, “Autonomous Weapons Systems: Learning Algorithms and Bias” at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The event welcomed a panel of four experts to participate in a high-level thematic discussion on the existence of data bias in machine learning and its potential effects on every-day technology as well as in militarized weapons systems. Moderated by Kerstin Vignard, Chief of Operations and Deputy to the Director at UNIDIR, the panel discussion opened with Vignard commenting on…
A Draft Treaty for a WMD Free Zone in the Middle East: Time to Envisage the Practical
On 6 October 2017, the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations, in conjunction with the British American Security Information Council (BASIC), hosted a panel discussion entitled, “A Draft Treaty for a WMD Free Zone in the Middle East: Time to Envisage the Practical.” The speakers included Jackie O’Halloran, Disarmament Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, Sharon Dolev of BASIC in Israel and founder/director of the Israeli Disarmament Movement (IDM); Emad Kiyaei, policy advisor to and former Executive Director of the American Iranian Council;…
Negative Security Assurances as Practical Steps towards a World Without Nuclear Weapons
On October 5, 2017, the Permanent Mission of Germany, in conjunction with the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) hosted a panel discussion entitled “Negative Security Assurances as Practical Steps towards the Final Goal of Global Zero/A World Without Nuclear Weapons” as part of the 72nd Session of the General Assembly First Committee Side Events. Marc Finaud, Senior Program Advisor at GCSP and the moderator of the panel, began by expressing that this was the right time to return to a discussion of negative security assurances (NSAs) because of the recent passage of the Treaty on…
The Effect of New Technologies on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament: Artificial Intelligence, Hypersonic Technology and Outer Space
As the First Committee of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly entered its first week, the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the United Nations, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, organized a side event on emerging technologies and their effects on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. The Deputy Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan, Mr. Barlybay Sadykov, moderated the panel while Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, delivered opening…
United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs Launches the Disarmament Digital Documents Library
The Disarmament Digital Documents Library is a specialized archive that provides quick and easy access to an extensive collection of United Nations disarmament-related documents in one convenient location. It includes historical documents of the first General Assembly session and reports from the Special Sessions on Disarmament (SSOD-I, SSOD-II and SSOD-III), disarmament-related meetings and conferences, and treaty review declarations. The team who brought this about, was made up of staff and interns and included extensive cooperation between UNODA and OICT. The…
Senior national authorities of Mali validate small arms and light weapons physical security and stockpile management standard operating procedures
The United Nations Regional Center for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the safe and secure management and stockpiling of small arms, light weapons and ammunition for use by the security sector officers of Mali. The SOPs were developed to help reduce the risk of diversion and illicit trade in small arms, light weapons and their ammunition. The SOPs are based on the International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS) and the International Ammunitions Technical Guidelines (IATG), as well as on the standards adopted by the Economic…
International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons September 26
The 26th of September 2017 marked the fourth consecutive year the United Nations commemorated the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Established in 2013 through the adoption of UN General Assembly resolution 68/32, the day calls for the world community to reaffirm its commitment to global nuclear disarmament as well as to educate the public about the threat posed to humanity by nuclear weapons and the necessity for their total elimination. The high-level plenary meeting commemorating the event was opened by H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, President of the 72nd…
UNREC and UNDP Assist Sahel Countries in Addressing the Illicit Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons
On 6 and 7 September 2017, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organized a sub-regional conference to assist countries of the Sahel region in developing a plan of action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. The conference was held in Abuja, Nigeria, with the participation of over thirty representatives from National Commissions, national experts, and civil society organizations from nine countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic,…
Dag Hammarskjöld Library: Research Guide and Book Exhibit to commemorate International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (26 Sep)
The Dag Hammarskjöld Library (UN Library), based at the UN Headquarters in New York is an integral component of the Organization, responsible for research and the management of the intellectual output by the United Nations (UN). One of the Library’s mandates is to support UN departmental research needs, primarily on thematic and subject areas that the UN addresses. One of these subject’s themes is disarmament. On 26 September 2017, during the observance of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, the General Assembly will hold a one- day high-…