UNIDIR — UN Institute for Disarmament Research

As global conversations on AI governance evolve, we need to come up with a realistic assessment of current priorities and to reflect on next steps. Our new report Confidence-Building Measures for Artificial Intelligence: A Multilateral Perspective by Ioana Puscas takes significant steps in this direction, building on our recent efforts to advance dialogue on AI-focused confidence-building measures (CBMs) at the multilateral level. The report also: 🔹 Presents a framework for conceptual and practical considerations for CBMs for AI. 🔹 Brings to light some key areas of agreement and shared concerns emerging from UNIDIR consultations with national representatives. 👉 Read the full report here: unidir.org/AI-CBMs-multi

#Update | Telling the Story of the 12 American POWs Who Died in the Hiroshima Bombing and the Japanese Man Who Refused to Let Them Be Forgotten Alongside the ongoing #NPTPrepCom, UNIDIR and the Delegation of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament came together to host a screening of the documentary Paper Lanterns, the story of twelve American prisoners of war killed in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and of Shigeaki Mori, the Japanese man who refused to let them be forgotten. Taking place on the margins of the Preparatory Committee of the 2026 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in Geneva, the event featured contributions from the Mayor of Hiroshima, Japan’s Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament, the Director of UNIDIR, renowned experts in the field, and many of those directly involved in the making of the film, including both its director and its central protagonist. Amongst the audience, meanwhile, were student groups from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, some of whom met with UNIDIR Director Robin Geiß earlier in the day to explore our work and its importance to disarmament and international security. Find out more about the event at 🏮 unidir.org/PaperLanternNPT #NPT #PrepCom #NuclearWeapons #Japan #Disarmament #InternationalSecurity

We are thrilled to announce the publication of "Unlocking the UNIDIR Cyber Policy Portal: A Comprehensive User Guide" authored by Giacomo Persi Paoli and Lenka Filipová. Since its launch in 2019, the UNIDIR Cyber Policy Portal has provided a detailed overview of the cyber policy landscape for all 193 United Nations Member States, alongside selected intergovernmental organizations, multistakeholder initiatives, and other key efforts. What's New? 🔹 Availability in all UN official languages  🔹 Enhanced content search and filtering functions This user guide is designed to help you navigate the wealth of information available on this tool. Discover more and stay ahead in the ever-evolving field of cyber policy! 📘 unidir.org/UserGuide

#Event | Nuclear Risk Reduction: From Ideas to Action Join us for a side event at the #NPTPrepCom! UNIDIR and Switzerland are coming together to host “Nuclear Risk Reduction: From Ideas to Action”, addressing growing concerns about nuclear risks. As highlighted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, “humanity is just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation.” This event will explore various approaches to mitigating these risks, review existing measures, and discuss actionable solutions. Register today to gain insights into strategies for nuclear risk reduction and network with key stakeholders in the field  👉 unidir.org/NuclearRisks

Earlier this month, we welcomed another 22 delegates to Geneva for our Training on Norms, International Law & Cyberspace. The course helps participants like Charlotte Skerten from New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade boost their understanding of concepts central to the Framework for Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace. Find out more about our latest cohort at: unidir.org/developing

#Update | Next week sees the opening of the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference (22 July-2 August). The #NPTPrepCom will give stakeholders a chance to prepare for the Review Conference in terms both of procedural matters and of substantive issues related to nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. UNIDIR and its partners will be hosting a number of key side events to help them in this task. ⬇️ 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 - 23 July 2024, 13:00-14:45 CEST, In Person (Room XXV, Palais des Nations, Geneva) 🔗 unidir.org/PaperLanterns Paper Lanterns tells the inspiring story of Shigeaki Mori, a Japanese atomic bomb survivor from Hiroshima who spent four decades searching for the identities of twelve American prisoners of war killed in the atomic bombing in Hiroshima, ultimately reaching out to their families to help them achieve some kind of closure to their family tragedies. 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚 𝐖𝐌𝐃-𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐌𝐃-𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐙𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬 - 24 July, 13:15-14:30 CEST, Hybrid (Online and Room XXV, Palais des Nations, Geneva) 🔗 unidir.org/CompassLaunch This event, hosted by UNIDIR and the European Union, will see the launch of the Middle East WMD-Free Zone Project’s new online tool, The Middle East WMD-Free Zone Compass: Mapping Official Statements. 𝐍𝐮𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - 29 July, 13:15-14:45 CEST, Hybrid (Online and Rm. XXIV, Palais des Nations, Geneva) 🔗 unidir.org/NuclearRisks Many states and regional groups have expressed increasing concern over nuclear risks. While some steps to decrease nuclear risks have been taken, much more needs to be done. This event, hosted by UNIDIR and Switzerland, will present different approaches to reducing nuclear risks inside and outside of the NPT review process; take stock of proposed and implemented risk reduction measures; and discuss practical solutions for moving forward. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐧-𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐮𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬 - 30 July, 13:15-14:30 CEST, In Person (Room XXV, Palais des Nations, Geneva) 🔗 unidir.org/TimeIsNow Building on the strong cross-regional engagement witnessed in previous NPT meetings, this event will discuss initiatives to further develop gender analysis in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Welcome to UNIDIR, Beatrice Fihn! 👏 Having served as Executive Director of Campaña Internacional para la Abolitión de las Armas Nucleares (ICAN), on whose behalf she accepted the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize, Beatrice brings great expertise in international law, weapons governance and civil-society mobilization. Learn more  👉  https://lnkd.in/dmR9uv5T

#Event | Forging a Path Towards a WMD-Free Middle East: The WMD-Free Zone Compass Join us for the launch of the Middle East WMDFZ Project’s new online tool: The Middle East WMD-Free Zone Compass: Mapping Official Statements. The event, hosted by #UNIDIR and the European External Action Service will take place at the 2nd Session of the #NPTPrepCom. 🗣️ Panellists Include: 👤 M. Almuntaser Albalawi, Researcher, Middle East WMD-Free Zone Project, UNIDIR 👤 M. Mohamed Gamal Ahmed Elghitany, Counsellor, ‎Permanent Mission of Egypt, Geneva 👤 Ambassador Adam Scheinman, Special Representative of the President for Nuclear Nonproliferation, United States of America We look forward to your participation and insights! Register today 👉 unidir.org/CompassLaunch

We're thrilled to announce the extension of the submission deadline for the Outer Space Security Conference 2024 Youth Video Competition! Now you have until 21 July 21, 2024, to share your voice on why space security matters to you. Hosted by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and in partnership with the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), this competition invites individuals aged 18-25 worldwide to create a 1-3 minute video on the theme: "Why does space security matter to you? – Keeping outer space secure and sustainable." Selected finalists will have the incredible opportunity to attend the Outer Space Security Conference in Geneva (#OS24) 🇺🇳 For submission details and more information, visit 👉 unidir.org/OS24-youth-vid