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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…
Latin American and Caribbean States meet ahead of the Fourth Review Conference of the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons
<!-- wp:columns --><div class="wp-block-columns"><!-- wp:column {"width":"66.66%","lock":{"move":true,"remove":true}} --><div class="wp-block-column" style="flex-basis:66.66%"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Fourth Review Conference (RevCon4) is scheduled for 17 to 28 June 2024 in New York</strong></h2> <p>From 11 to 15 and 18 to 22 March, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and its Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and…
Sri Lankan police revitalizes stockpile management practices
One of the main sources of diversion of small arms and light weapons into illicit markets is from inadequately managed stockpiles, from which weapons are lost or stolen. Therefore, the effective management of weapons stockpiles is an essential element of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN PoA) and its corresponding International Tracing Instrument. As part of a regional project in support of the PoA and ITI, funded by the European Union, the United Nations…
Southern African States fortify capacity to combat biological threats and implement Biological Weapons Convention
In a bid to strengthen regional cooperation and bolster national implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), 60 delegates from ten Southern African states and international and regional organisations convened in Gaborone, Botswana, from 12 to 14 March 2024 for a three-day workshop. The event, organised by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and Security of Botswana, aimed to fortify the region’s capacity to combat biological threats and promote adherence to international disarmament norms and standards. In…
UNRCPD and UNODC join efforts to promote SDG Target 16.4 during 11th Asia-Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development
This year’s Asia-Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development, an annual, inclusive intergovernmental forum to support follow-up and review of progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focused on a specific set of Goals, including Goal 16. SDG 16 provides the framework for peace, justice for all, and strong institutions, which are fundamental for accelerating progress of other SDGs and leaving no one behind. However, the limited availability of data undermines tracking progress toward this goal. As stakeholders gathered…
Experts from developing countries gather in Trieste to learn about science diplomacy, biosecurity and virus detection in the framework of the Biological Weapons Convention
From 4 to 8 March 2024, the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), together with The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), organised a joint capacity-building course on science diplomacy, biosecurity and virus detection in the framework of Article X of the BWC in Trieste, Italy. Under Article X, States Parties undertake to cooperate in contributing with other States or international organisations to…
Strengthening biosecurity in São Tomé and Príncipe: National workshop on the effective implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention and Resolution 1540 (2004)
From 4 to 6 March 2024, the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities of São Tomé and Príncipe gathered key national stakeholders and decision makers to raise awareness about the implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004). Jointly organized by UNODA’s Biological Weapons Convention Team and the 1540 Support Unit, the workshop was an important step towards fostering national ownership and renewing commitment to the BWC, Resolution 1540, and…