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August 2025 E-News

Earlier this month, we marked 80 years since the United States used the first nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, horrifically killing hundreds of thousands of civilians and ushering the nuclear age. Today, arms racing is back on, with more money than ever before being spent on nuclear weapons, conventional weapons, and new technologies of violence, including autonomous and artificial intelligence weapons. But we are not complacent. People around the world are rising up against militarisation and global violence, saying no to genocide, no to nuclear war, and yes to justice and peace. From the actions against arms transfers to Israel to the ICJ’s new ruling on military emissions and climate reparations, action is underway. Find out more with our latest E-News, and join the movement!

In this edition:

Current and upcoming disarmament meetings 

Recently concluded disarmament meetings 

Top stories

Stop Arming Israel

In the past month, Israel announced its plan to occupy Gaza City. Additionally, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels. According to the UN, at least 147 deaths due to hunger and malnutrition have been reported, including 88 children. More than 28,000 cases of severe acute malnutrition have been recorded among children, according to reports from the World Health Organization and the World Food Programme.

In addition to people starving to death, there are also over 1,400 Palestinians who were killed while seeking food. According to the UN, Palestinians are being killed by the Israeli military in points of distribution and along the routes of food convoy. The UN emphasised that “intentionally directing attacks against civilians not taking direct part in hostilities and intentionally using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare by depriving them of objects indispensable to their survival, including wilfully impeding relief supplies, are war crimes.” Meanwhile, research by Action on Armed Violence found that nearly nine out of ten Israeli military investigations into allegations of war crimes or abuses by its soldiers—including killings during aid distribution—have been closed without finding fault or left without resolution. 

International pressure against Israel’s genocidal war has increased. Foreign ministers of 26 states demand Israel to restore humanitarian aid to Gaza. Norway announced decision to divest from 11 Israeli companies. Germany halted new exports of military equipment to Israel. Slovenia has become the first country in the European Union to ban all weapons trade with Israel over its war on Gaza. The Spanish Foreign Minister called for immediate action from the European Union (EU), urging the suspension of the EU-Israel trade agreement and a ban on arms sales to Israel. The Netherlands has named Israel as a foreign threat to the country's national security for the first time, and has also banned two Israeli ministers from entering the country. Thirty states met in Bogotá, Colombia at an Emergency Conference on Palestine, where twelve of them committed to implementing six measures through their domestic legal and administrative systems to end their complicity with Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. WILPF welcomes the convening of this conference and the commitments made . (Picture credit: Ray Acheson)

Despite these efforts, much more needs to be done. An investigation by the Guardian, Disclose, and Follow the Money found that “Europe’s largest missiles maker, MBDA, is selling key components for bombs that have been shipped in their thousands to Israel and used in multiple airstrikes where research indicates Palestinian children and other civilians were killed.” Another investigation by World Beyond War and the Palestinian Youth Movement found that Canada continued to arm Israel despite pledging to halt arms shipments back in January of last year. An investigation by +972 Magazine revealed that Microsoft developed a customised version of its cloud for Israel to store intelligence information used to attack Palestinians. And the Israeli company Elbit Systems has secured a 1.64 billion USD contract with an unnamed European state to provide long-range precision strike artillery-rocket systems and AI-powered uncrewed aerial combat systems.

WILPF continues to call for the imposition of two-way arms embargoes, sanctions on Israel and more. WILPF stands in solidarity with those taking concrete measures to end genocide and to stop profiteering from genocide, occupation and apartheid. 

80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

6 and 9 August 2025 marked 80 years since the US government dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. An estimated 140,000 people perished in Hiroshima, and another 70,000 lost their lives in Nagasaki, with countless others experiencing enduring health issues and trauma. (Image credit: WILPF)

Survivors of the bombings, known as hibakusha, faced not only unimaginable pain on the days of the bombings but also lifelong challenges, including radiation-related illnesses and birth defects. As RCW’s Director wrote recently, “As we mark the tragic anniversaries of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, we carry the weight of history and the obligation to make a difference. Understanding the past empowers us to shape a better tomorrow. Acknowledging the devastating consequences wrought by these deadly weapons is not only a duty to the past but also a responsibility to shape a safer future for generations to come.” 

Across the world people are using these solemn commemorations to draw attention to the horrors of nuclear weapons—and the responsibility to work for their elimination. WILPF joined other organisations from the peace, labour, economic justice, and climate movements in a statement calling for “common security and solidarity, in which human development, environmental sustainability, democracy, and multilateralism take precedence over military might.” To learn about other actions that took place worldwide, check out the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)’s page, including the online Children’s Peace Memorial remembering the 38,000 children lost in the bombings. Tim Wright of ICAN also spoke with ABC Radio National about the children’s memorial.

International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion about climate change

In July, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its Advisory Opinion on states’ legal obligations in the face of climate change, offering unprecedented legal clarity on how existing international norms apply to address the climate crisis.

As highlighted by the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, of which WILPF is a member, “The landmark ruling affirms that climate action is not optional: it is a binding legal duty grounded in existing treaty regimes and customary law, including human rights and environmental law. The Court acknowledged states have an obligation to prevent environmental harm, protect present and future generations from the escalating impacts of the climate crisis and to cooperate internationally. In a significant outcome, the Court found that fossil fuel production, licensing and subsidies ‘may constitute an internationally wrongful act’.”

In her independent declaration, Judge Cleveland emphasised that states should pay increased attention to armed conflicts and military emissions as sources of emissions, assessing, reporting and mitigating them. Judge Cleveland also argued that evaluations of harm to the climate system within a state’s jurisdiction or control must also include the emissions caused by the destruction of carbon sinks and similar activities through conflict. 

For a background on the case, check out Democracy Now’s reporting. For related content, see WILPF’s policy paper linking the Women, Peace and Security Agenda with Environmental Justice. (Image credit: WILPF)

Upholding the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions

On July 18, Ukraine informed the United Nations that it has suspended its operation of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. As highlighted by Human Rights Watch, “The action puts civilians at risk, undermines fundamental humanitarian and legal norms, and is contrary to public international law.” The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) also expressed deep concern with the news. This follows the announcement by other five European states of their intentions to leave the Treaty (see last month’s e-news for coverage). (Picture credit: ICBL)

Meanwhile, a piece by Emma Bryce highlights that James Cowan, CEO of The HALO Trust, which is the largest humanitarian demining charity in the world, has publicly supported the use of landmines by Ukraine. The piece questions his motivations and includes quotes from ICBL and organisations working with mine clearance, emphasising the need to uphold the Mine Ban Treaty and the taboo against landmines. 

The Convention on Cluster Munitions is also facing new challenges. In March 2025, Lithuania became the first country to formally withdraw from the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Russian forces have used cluster munitions extensively in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have also used these weapons, resulting in additional civilian harm. In August, a spokesperson for the Royal Thai Military confirmed that Thailand had used cluster munitions against Cambodia despite the decades of harm past use of cluster munitions have caused in the region. In light of these developments, the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) calls on all states parties to publicly recommit to the Convention, uphold their obligations under Article 1 not to assist, encourage, or engage in prohibited activities, and actively promote universalisation of the treaty as required under Article 21. 

Human Rights Council adopts new resolution on arms transfers 

On 7 July 2025, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), at its 59th session, adopted without a vote a resolution on “Impact of arms transfers on human rights” (draft resolution A/HRC/59/L.16 adopted as resolution 59/13). This marks the sixth resolution on arms transfers adopted by the HRC in the past 12 years.

The resolution draws on findings and recommendations from a recent report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) (report A/HRC/58/41), which highlights, among other concerns, repeated failures by arms-exporting states and the arms industry at large to exercise due diligence in arms transfers decisions and to prevent or halt prohibited transfers, even when there is clear evidence of the risk of violations of international law.

Building on some of the OHCHR’s recommendations, the resolution reaffirms that states have a duty to protect individuals from harm caused by third parties, including other states and business enterprises, through legal, institutional, and practical measures to effectively govern arms transfers and related activities, and by exercising due diligence in accordance with international law.

Despite efforts by Egypt, China, Russia, and Indonesia to water down language on the links between weapons and gender, the resolution strengthens a key reference from the previous text. It acknowledges that “ownership and use of arms are closely linked to specific dynamics of control, power, domination and strength, which also contributes to perpetuating gender-based violence.” The resolution also states that addressing gendered root causes of violence is essential.

For a full analysis of the resolution, as well to learn about WILPF’s advocacy related to the resolution, check out this blog. (Image credit: WILPF)

Gender and Disarmament Database: Recommendation of the month 

Our recommendation of the month is the article “Examining ‘gender-sensitive’ approaches to nuclear weapons policy: a study of the Non-Proliferation Treaty,” by Laura Rose Brown and Laura Considine. The article analyses NPT texts to understand how the work done on “gendering” nuclear policy understand what a gender sensitive approach to nuclear weapons means and requires. The authors suggest that “the next steps in ‘gendering’ nuclear policy engage more with feminist policy analysis and the experiences of those already working within the policy space, and consider further how and if one can meaningfully link gender sensitive approaches to the practice of nuclear deterrence.” 

The Gender and Disarmament Database, created and maintained by Reaching Critical Will, features a wide range of resources such as reports, articles, books and book chapters, policy documents, podcasts, legislation, and UN documents. The database allows the exploration of relevant resources based on their references to distinctive gender aspects in disarmament, such as gender-based violence, gender norms, or gender diversity, and different related topics or types of weapon systems. It currently contains more than 800 resources. Suggestions of new additions can be sent to disarm[at]WILPF[dot]com.    

Upcoming events 

Conferences 

Eleventh Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty 
25–29 August 2025 | Geneva, Switzerland  

Second Session of the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems 
1–5 September 2025 | Geneva, Switzerland 

Thirteenth Meeting of States Parties to the Cluster Munitions Convention
16–19 September 2025 | Geneva, Switzerland

UN General Assembly High-Level General Debate
23–30 September | New York, USA 

International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
26 September 2025 | New York, USA

Events 

The Preparatory Meeting of States on the Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management - Post-Meeting Webinar: Ensuring Continued Civil Society Engagement
20 August 2025 | Online

Australia’s Opaque Arms Trade and Obligations under International Law
27 August 2025 | Canberra, Australia and online

De-siloing Existential Threats III: Future Pathways to a World Beyond Nuclear Deterrence Report Launch Event
31 August 2025 | Online

Humanitarian Disarmament Forum
18–19 October 2025 | New York

Featured news 

  • United States (US) stationed nuclear weapons on British soil for the first time in more than 15 years. At the end of July, a C-17 transport plane from the US made a journey from the Kirtland Air Force base in New Mexico—where the US Air Force stores nuclear weapons—to the RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, United Kingdom (UK). “Analysts said it was likely that theflight contained nuclear bombs, which were last stationed in the UK in 2008, before being removed under the Obama administration,” reports The Telegraph.

  • UN Secretary-General announces the appointment of independent scientific panel of experts to examine the effects of nuclear war. The panel will study the possible impact of a nuclear war on everything from public health to ecosystems, agriculture, and global socioeconomic systems. The last cross-sectional United Nations study of this kind was undertaken almost four decades ago in1988. The establishment of this 21 member panel follows the adoption of the resolution proposed last year during the First Committee by Ireland and Aotearoa New Zealand.

  • New risk report suggests Australia should withdraw from the SSN-AUKUS programme. The report is an independent white paper authored by NWE Strategic Risk Management principal Peter Rob The report primarily focused on a risk analysis comparison of Australia acquiring Virginia Class from the United States and SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS trilateral agreement. “At AU$368 billion, AUKUS Pillar 1 is by far the largest investment Australia has ever committed to … and Defence is insolvent as a result,” Robinson said, also adding, “Whist the budget breakdown is opaque, the risk differential is clear: SSN-AUKUS submarines are a massive gamble at a gigantic price that we should tactfully withdraw from.”

  • E3+Iran talks resume. On 25 July, Iran met with France, Germany, and the United Kingdom in Istanbul. These are the first nuclear talks since Israel unlawfully attacked Iran in June. France has indicated that the E3 will reimpose sanctions if there is not concrete progress on a nuclear deal by the end of August.
  • Investigation analyses how UK arms sales overlap with countries using explosive weapons in populated areas. A study by Action on Armed Violence found that out of the 84 countries to which the UK exported arms between 2021 and 2024, 23 of those recipient states went on to use explosive weapons in populated areas during that same period, often with devastating consequences for civilians.

  • New report investigates China’s support for Myanmar’s military production of aerial bombs. A new Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M) investigation exposes how a Chinese state-owned company is enabling the Myanmar military to manufacture aerial bombs at a weapons factory in central Myanmar. According to the report, the aerial bombs produced are used in significant numbers by the Myanmar Air Force in airstrikes against civilians—attacks that may meet the threshold of serious international crimes.

  • New study shows that permissive gun laws contribute to excess firearm deaths among children. A study published in JAMA Pediatrics analysed rates of pediatric firearm mortality in the United States and concluded that “permissive firearm laws contributed to thousands of excess firearm deaths among children living in states with permissive policies”.

  • France intends to increase its investment in military AI. France24 reports that France plans to invest 2 billion EUR in military AI by 2030. As summarised by Automated Decision Research, “French forces are already trialling predictive maintenance, autonomous drone swarms and decision-support software. While framed as strategic modernisation, the investment underscores broader European support for autonomy in weapons systems and intensifies pressure for international rules ensuring robust ‘human-in-the-loop’ safeguards before lethal deployment.”

  • United States releases new “AI Action Plan”. As reported by Breaking Defense, the plan “unambiguously frames AI as a winner-take-all competition between great powers.” The plan includes 19 recommended policy actions for the Department of Defense, most of them giving the military a prominent or even leading role in setting standards and coordinating efforts across the executive branch.

  • New report about corruption in the arms trade identifies patterns. Corruption Tracker and the World Peace Foundation have just launched a new report titled “Tracing Corruption: Emerging Patterns in the Global Arms Trade”. The report analyses 59 documented cases of corruption in the arms trade spanning 63 countries and 81 companies over the last 45 years; and identifies the emerging patterns that allow corruption to flourish in the trade.

Recommended resources  

Nidžara Ahmetašević, Andrew Connelly,“Mines, Memory, and Migration on Bosnia’s Perilous Border”, Inkstick, 13 August 2025

Norman Stockwell, “Building the World We Want to See: An interview with abolition activist Ray Acheson,” The Progressive Magazine, 8 August 2025

William Hartung, “Palantir: As Revenues Rise, Controversy Grows,” Forbes, 7 August 2025

Cormac Dodd, “'End the nuclear cycle': Antinuclear New Mexicans speak out 80 years after Hiroshima bombing,” Santa Fe New Mexican, 7 August 2025 

Webinar: “The Fire Still Burns: Hiroshima, Disarmament, and Resistance,” ICAN Australia, 6 August 2025

“Nobel Peace Prize winners warn of nuclear weapons on Hiroshima anniversary,” ABC News, 6 August 2025

“Statement on the 80th anniversary of the development, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons,” Scientific Advisory Group for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, 6 August 2025

Terumi Tanaka, “I Survived an Atomic Bomb. It’s Time to End the Nuclear Threat,” The New York Times, 6 August 2025

Nic Maclellan, “Tip of the spear,” Inside Story, 4 August 2025

“Remember the children of Hiroshima in new peace memorial,” ABC Radio National, 2 August 2025

Podcast: “Roots Action National Teach-In on Militarism Under Trump,” The Un-Diplomatic Podcast, 2 August 2025

Ray Acheson, “Building Power for Palestine and for a New World Order,” CounterPunch, 1 August 2025 

William D. Hartung, “Entering a Golden Age for War Profiteers,” TomDispatch, 27 July 2025

Takashi Y and Hiroshi S, “Hiroshima: Atomic Bomb Victims, Survivors, and Damage Architecture,” 25 July 2025 

Ray Acheson, “Eighty Years After Trinity, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki, the Horror Lives On,” CounterPunch, 20 July 2025

Matt Meyer, “Lessons from a historic act of disarmament in Kurdistan,” Waging Nonviolence, 15 July 2025

Manon Blancafort, Callum Watson, Florence Foster, and Jowita Mieszkowska, “Symposium on PMSCs: The Role of PMSCs in the Proliferation of Weapons and Implications under Arms Control Mechanisms,” OpinioJuris, 14 July 2025

Shahd Hammouri and Wesam Ahmad, “’The profit of which we do not speak’: Reflections on UN Rapporteur’s report on the Israeli war economy,” Business and Human Rights Resource Center, 14 July 2025 

Abeba Birhane “AI for Good [Appearance?],” AI Accountability Lab, 10 July 2025

Yulia Yarina, “The Bullet Trail: A Year of Ammunition Seizures in the Caribbean and What They Mean for Public Health,” Small Arms Survey, 18 June 2025

Webinar: “AI in Military Decision Making: A Dialogue on How to Enhance IHL Compliance,” International Committee of the Red Cross, 18 June 2025

Elke Schwarz, “Don’t believe the hype: Unsustainable marketing narratives about autonomous weapons raise urgency for international legislation,” Medium, 5 June 2025