The very quality of seamless, instant connectivity that powers the enormous benefits of cyberspace can also leave people, institutions and entire countries deeply vulnerable. And the perils of weaponizing digital technologies are growing by the year. … Digital technology offers an incredible opportunity to create a more just, equal, sustainable and peaceful future for all. But breakthroughs must be oriented towards the good.
Developments and trends, 2024
In 2024, the international community continued to make progress in addressing several emerging challenges related to developments in science and technology and their implications for international peace and security.
On outer space, the Group of Governmental Experts on Further Practical Measures for the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space, established pursuant to General Assembly resolution 77/250, successfully concluded its work. At its final substantive session, the Group adopted a report (A/79/364) containing a non-exhaustive set of possible substantial elements that could be considered in further measures and appropriate international negotiations, including in a legally binding instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space. The Group concluded that the report could serve two purposes: first, as a reference document for further measures and appropriate international negotiations on an international legally binding instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, including on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space; and second, as a contribution to future work on the prevention of an arms race in outer space.
The General Assembly established a new open-ended working group on the prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its aspects, replacing the two open-ended working groups that had been established in 2023 (decision 79/512). The new working group was scheduled to meet from 2025 to 2028.
In the first year of a new three-year cycle, the United Nations Disarmament Commission began considering an agenda item entitled “Recommendations on common understandings related to emerging technologies in the context of international security” (for more information, see chap. 7).
The Open-ended Working Group on Security of and in the Use of Information and Communications Technologies (2021–2025) held its seventh, eighth and ninth substantive sessions and adopted its third annual progress report by consensus (A/79/214). In the report, States agreed on new language addressing existing and potential threats, as well as on a new set of confidence-building measures. Additionally, they acknowledged a norms implementation checklist drafted by the Chair and set out an overarching framework outlining the scope, structure and modalities for a future permanent mechanism on information and communications technologies security.
Figure 5.1. Global intergovernmental points of contact directory in numbers, as at 31 December 2024
The Office for Disarmament Affairs maintains a Global Intergovernmental Points of Contact Directory on the Use of Information and Communications Technologies in the Context of International Security. Launched in May 2024, this directory aims to facilitate secure and direct communication between Member States regarding ICT incidents and other relevant matters. States can participate by nominating individual points of contact who will be granted access to the online portal.
At the Summit of the Future, in September 2024, the General Assembly adopted the Pact for the Future as resolution 79/1, with the Global Digital Compact included as an annex. In the Pact, Member States demonstrated their commitment to multilateral disarmament processes and instruments, positioning disarmament issues within the context of broader peace and security efforts. Their Heads of State and Government underscored the potential impact of rising military expenditures on investments in sustainable development and sustaining peace. Member States committed to advancing various disarmament priorities through appropriate processes and forums, including bringing the world closer to the goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons, addressing existing and emerging threats posed by emerging technologies, and confronting challenges related to the diversion and misuse of small arms and light weapons.
Building on those broad commitments, the Pact outlined specific actions in several key areas. Member States agreed to advance further measures and appropriate international negotiations to prevent an arms race in outer space in all its aspects. They also committed to urgently advancing discussions on lethal autonomous weapons systems through the Group of Governmental Experts on Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. The Pact further emphasized the need to enhance international cooperation and capacity-building efforts to close digital divides, as well as continuing to assess the existing and potential risks associated with military applications of artificial intelligence (AI). Member States asked the Secretary-General to provide ongoing updates on new and emerging technologies.
The Global Digital Compact (annex I) included an objective on enhancing the international governance of AI for the benefit of humanity as one of its key objectives. To advance that goal, the General Assembly decided to establish a multidisciplinary Independent International Scientific Panel on AI, and to initiate a Global Dialogue on AI Governance within the United Nations framework.
Figure 5.2. Regional distribution of participants in the workshops on promoting responsible innovation in artificial intelligence for peace and security
A series of workshops on responsible innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) for peace and security have taken place since 2023. In 2024, Young AI practitioners from around the world gathered in Belgium, Estonia and Portugal to address the risks that the misuse of civilian AI could pose to international peace and security. The workshops incorporated scenario-based training, educational resources and multi-stakeholder dialogue to help empower future AI professionals to mitigate risks and contribute to ethical, inclusive and secure AI development. They were organized by the Office for Disarmament Affairs in partnership with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute with support from the European Union.
The map above shows the geographical representation of the participants during the 2024 workshops, with most coming from Asia-Pacific and Western European States.
The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
Final boundary between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet been determined.
Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed upon by the parties.
MAP SOURCE: United Nations Geospatial.
On autonomous weapons systems, the Group of Governmental Experts on Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems convened, in accordance with a decision of the 2023 Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW/MSP/2023/7, para. 20). Following its mandate and building on previous recommendations and conclusions, the Group worked to consider and formulate a set of elements of an instrument, without prejudging its nature and taking into account the example of existing Protocols within the Convention. In its deliberations, the Group considered draft elements on (a) a working characterization of such systems; (b) the application of international humanitarian law; (c) possible prohibitions and regulations; (d) other measures to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law; and (e) accountability (for more information, see chap. 3).
Responding to General Assembly resolution 78/241, the Secretary-General prepared a report on lethal autonomous weapons systems (A/79/88), incorporating views of 47 States and groups of States, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and 28 civil society entities comprising both individual organizations and informal groupings. The report summarized States’ perspectives on definitions and characterizations; challenges, concerns and potential benefits; deliberations by States; and next steps. In his observations and conclusions, the Secretary-General reiterated his call for the conclusion, by 2026, of a legally binding instrument to prohibit lethal autonomous weapons systems that function without human control or oversight and cannot be used in compliance with international humanitarian law, and to regulate all other types of autonomous weapon systems. He also called on the High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons to work diligently to fulfil the mandate of the Group of Governmental Experts on Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems as soon as possible and encouraged the General Assembly to continue its consideration of this matter.