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UNODA convenes workshop on strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention implementation in Guinea
From 14 to 15 May 2024, the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (Commission Nationale pour les armes légères et de petits calibres – COMNAT-ALPC) of the Republic of Guinea gathered thirty national stakeholders and decision makers from twenty-four national institutions to raise awareness about the implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). This event took place after the Republic of Guinea attended UNODA regional workshop on the universalization and effective implementation of BWC in Western…
Government officials from nearly 30 countries join workshop about reporting on conventional arms transfers
On 9 May 2024, 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 UN Register of Conventional Arms (UNROCA). The UN Register of Conventional Arms was established in 1991 following the adoption of UN General Assembly resolution 46/36 L. Through the UNROCA instrument, Member States are encouraged to report on international transfers of seven categories of major conventional…
2nd Safe and Secure Approaches to Field Environments (SSAFE) for experts on UNSGM roster concluded
From 5-11 May, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and the UNDP organized a training course in Thailand on ‘Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments’ (SSAFE) for the United Nations Secretary-General’s Mechanism for Investigations of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons (UNSGM). This was the second SSAFE course organized for the UNSGM, with the aim of providing qualified experts on the UNSGM roster with the knowledge and understanding of the practical skills that will help them to…
Youth Leader Fund for a World without Nuclear Weapons Completes First Online Phase
The Youth Leader Fund for a World without Nuclear Weapons, an innovative learning programme launched in 2023 by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) with the generous financial support from the government of Japan, has reached a significant milestone with the conclusion of its inaugural online course component. As the programme progresses towards its overarching goal of empowering young leaders to advocate for a nuclear- weapon-free world, the successful completion of the online course by 85% of participants marks a key achievement of this first phase.…
“The disarmament community has a proud history of anticipating weapons, means and methods of warfare.” - High Representative opens UNODA-ICRC side event on legal reviews of weapons at the Vienna Conference on Autonomous Weapons Systems
The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) partnered up with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to organize a side event in the margins of the Vienna Conference on Autonomous Weapons Systems. The event focused on legal reviews of new weapons, including those conducted under Article 36 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions. Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, set the scene and outlined various challenges and solutions thereto when conducing legal reviews of weapons. In her…
University students learn about the link between disarmament and human rights in Vienna
On 17 April 2024, the University of Applied Arts Vienna organized its 4th Applied Human Rights World Café. As part of the course program, students enrolled in the Vienna Master of Arts in Applied Human Rights develop and undertake individual or group projects on human rights in cooperation with interested partner organizations. The World Café serves as a platform for the students to connect with Vienna-based international and local organizations and initiatives that aim to make a positive impact on human rights. The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) was…
States meet in Geneva for Universalization Workshop of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW)
From 11 to 12 April 2024, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) organized a regional workshop on achieving the universalization of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW). The workshop was organized with the financial support of the European Union and sought to promote the CCW and its Protocols and to contribute to the understanding of the key provisions of these instruments. Group picture of the participants to the Workshop on Achieving Universalization of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons…
Government officials from nearly 40 countries join workshop about reporting on military expenditures
On 11 April 2024, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) partnered with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) to organize virtual training workshops for Diplomatic Missions in New York and Geneva as well as national focal points on preparing submissions to the UN Report on Military Expenditures (UNMilEx). The UNMilEx instrument was established by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 35/142 B, adopted in 1980. It was born out of a more ideological endeavor aimed at reducing excessive military spending…
UNODA Vienna Office marks International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness with series of engaging events
Observed on 5 March, the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness (IDDNPA) seeks to promote better awareness and understanding of disarmament issues, especially among young people. Through resolution A/RES/77/51, adopted in December 2022, the United Nations General Assembly invited all Member States, the organizations of the United Nations system, civil society, academia, the media, and individuals to commemorate this annual International Day, including through all means of educational and public awareness-raising activities. To celebrate this year’s IDDNPA…
Timor-Leste conducts its first ever national workshop on the Biological Weapons Convention
From 25 to 26 March 2024, the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) for the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) within the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste, jointly organized a national workshop on the implementation of the Convention. The purpose of the workshop was to deepen understanding of the BWC, to share effective practices relating to the preparation of Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs), and to inform participants about capacity-building opportunities available to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity. A total…