In April 2020, the United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs released a publication Rethinking Unconstrained Military Spending which critiques the massive and growing global military budget (now at $1.9 trillion per year), examines the negative impact of such high militarization on security, explores opportunity benefits of reduced military budgets including
On 24 May 2018 (International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament), United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres launched Securing Our Common Future: A Disarmament Agenda, which outlines a set of practical measures across the entire range of disarmament issues, including weapons of mass destruction, conventional arms and future weapon technologies. In
The United Nations General Assembly decided in 2018 to establish an International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace to be held annually on April 24. (Click here for the UNGA resolution). Although not as well-known as Earth Day (April 22), the day is very important in promoting international peace
Young African leaders are calling on governments and militias to agree to the global ceasefire proposal initiated on March 23 by the UN Secretary-General. In a detailed statement Armed conflict, corona virus pandemic and a ceasefire: Impact on children in Africa, Divina Maloum, co-winner with Greta Thunberg of the influential 2019
In an international appeal issued on Monday March 23, UN Secretary-General (UNSG) António Guterres urged warring parties across the world to observe a ceasefire to assist the battle against COVID-19, which he called ‘the common enemy that is now threatening all of humankind.’ (Click here for his video message). In
The corona virus pandemic has highlighted how important the United Nations and a human security framework (versus a military security framework) are for humanity in this globalized world. Globalisation – especially international travel – has been a key factor in the spread of the virus. On the other hand, key
The 2020 Review Conference of States Parties to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) is likely to be postponed until 2021. This is one of a number of UN events having to be postponed or cancelled due to the corona virus situation. The NPT is a critical treaty where-by non-nuclear States
In an international appeal issued on Monday March 23, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged warring parties across the world to observe a ceasefire to assist the battle against COVID-19, which he called ‘the common enemy that is now threatening all of humankind.’ (Click here for his video message). The UN chief called on those in armed conflict to ‘pull back from
On January 24, 1946, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted by consensus its very first resolution, Res 1 (I), which established a commission of the UN Security Council to ensure the elimination from national armaments of atomic weapons and all other major weapons adaptable to mass destruction. The ensuing
The Middle East is a region where nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs arise from, and contribute to, tensions, instability and conflict. The 2003 invasion of Iraq was launched by the US and the UK with the stated purpose to ‘disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction’ (see ‘Operation Iraq