UN General Assembly First Committee
The UN General Assembly's work on disarmament is conducted through one of its main committees, the First Committee on Disarmament and International Security.
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
The nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) became international law in 1970. The states parties meet every five years at a Review Conference to assess the implementation of the Treaty.
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
The UN General Assembly adopted the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on 7 July 2017. The Treaty is now in the process of gathering ratifications to enter into force, after which meetings of states parties will be held.
Conferences on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons
So far three conferences have been held in Norway (2013), Mexico (2014), and Austria (2014) on the humanitarian and environmental impacts of nuclear weapons.
Open-ended working group on nuclear disarmament
The UN General Assembly has established two open-ended working groups to develop proposals to take forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations.
Arms Trade Treaty
After a seven year process at the United Nations, the first Arms Trade Treaty was adopted in 2013, setting out legally-binding standards and restrictions on the international trade of conventional arms. Each year, a Conference of States Parties is held.
UN Programme of Action on small arms and light weapons
Every two years, states meet to consider the implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons In All Its Aspects.
Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons
The Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (CCW) was adopted in 1980. Meetings of states parties take place on the Convention's protocols and on specific issues. Right now one of RCW's key focuses at the CCW is on discussions on autonomous weapon systems, or killer robots.
