About ODA
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.Activities by ODA
Addressing artificial intelligence and biosecurity challenges & opportunities under the Biological Weapons Convention
Global Not ApplicableThis activity supports strategic engagement on the implications of artificial intelligence for the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). As AI increasingly intersects with the life sciences, it is becoming more important for States Parties to understand how such developments may shape biological research and development, influence the risk landscape, and raise new governance and implementation questions under the Convention. The activity responds to this need by fostering informed dialogue, generating policy-relevant analysis, and helping translate technical developments into structured, accessible and policy-relevant inputs for multilateral discussion under the BWC. It places particular emphasis on issues such as AI-enabled biological design tools, dual-use implications, responsible governance, and the need for effective and forward-looking science and technology review. In doing so, it contributes to strengthening understanding of how the Convention may remain responsive to emerging technological change in a timely, informed and policy-relevant manner.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsPolicy/Regulatory GuidanceAwareness/AdvocacyCCW Group of Governmental Experts on Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems
Global Not ApplicableThe Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA) supports the work of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) Group of Governmental Experts on emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS). The Group has affirmed eleven guiding principles to guide its work, covering, inter alia, the applicability of international humanitarian law, the retention of human responsibility and that human-machine interaction should ensure LAWS are used in compliance with international law. The Group's current three-year mandate (2023-2026) is to further consider and formulate a set of elements of an instrument and other possible measures to address emerging technologies in the area of LAWS.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsPolicy/Regulatory GuidanceReport of the Secretary-General on Developments in Science and Technology and their Potential Impact on International Security and Disarmament Efforts
Global Not ApplicableEach year, the General Assembly requests the Secretary-General to report on current developments in science and technology and their potential impact on international security and disarmament efforts, including on developments related to AI. This mandate is also contained in Action 27(e) of the Pact of the Future. The most recent report has been issued as document A/80/237.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsInformal exchanges on artificial intelligence in the military domain
Global Not ApplicableBy its resolution 80/58 of 1 December 2025, the General Assembly, intera alia, decided to convene informal exchanges in Geneva for States to further share perspectives on observations and conclusions as presented in the report of the Secretary-General on artificial intelligence in the military domain (A/80/78). In accordance with the resolution, the Office for Disarmament Affairs will provide the support necessary for convening the informal exchanges and a written factual summary to the First Committee at its eighty-first session in October 2026. The informal exchanges will take place from 15-17 June 2026 at the United Nations Office at Geneva and are open to the full participation of all Member States and observer States and international and regional organizations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, academia and civil society, including the scientific and technical community and industry.
Activity Type Policy/Regulatory GuidanceNetworks/Mentorship/Exchange