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
Military AI, Peace & Security (MAPS) Dialogues
Global Not Applicable
In 2025, UNODA convened three multistakeholder exchanges to advance international discussions on the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the military domain for international peace and security. These explored the opportunities and risks posed by military AI, including its impact on compliance with international law, the risks of miscalculation and escalation, and the challenges of ensuring accountability and trustworthiness. The key takeaways of the MAPS dialogues are summarized in an article linked in the "resource" section below.
A second edition of the MAPS Dialogues will be convened prior to the informal exchanges on AI in the military domain taking place in June 2026.
CCW 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 GuidanceOutreach on Autonomous Weapons and Artificial Intelligence
Global Not ApplicableThe Secretary-General, the High Representative and Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs and other ODA officials have sought to raise awareness of the possible implications of autonomous weapons and the weaponization of artificial intelligence.
Activity Type Awareness/AdvocacyResponsible Innovation in AI for Peace and Security
Asia and the Pacific, Arab States, Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States ChinaEgyptEstoniaGreeceIndiaIndonesiaIranItalyLithuaniaPhilippinesRomaniaSingaporeTürkiyeThe Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA) and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) partnered for a three-year initiative on responsible innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) for peace and security. This project aimed to support greater engagement from the civilian AI community in mitigating the risks that the misuse of civilian AI technology can pose to international peace and security. Combining awareness raising and capacity building activities, it sought to provide the civilian AI community – especially the next generation of AI practitioners – with the necessary knowledge and means to engage in responsible innovation and help ensure the peaceful application of civilian AI technology. This project is now completed; its outputs are still available at the links below.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsPolicy/Regulatory GuidanceAwareness/AdvocacyNetworks/Mentorship/Exchange