United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research

Founded in 1980, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is an autonomous institute within the UN, conducting independent research on disarmament and related problems.

Digital Activities 

UNIDIR is concerned with cybersecurity, such as threats and vulnerabilities related to information and communication technologies (ICTs), and the use of new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) applications in warfare. It supports the UN GGE and OEWG processes. It focuses on research and awareness raising on this topic with a broad range of stakeholders and maps the cybersecurity policy landscape.

Digital policy issues 

Cybersecurity 

UNIDIR’s Security and Technology Programme (SecTec) builds knowledge and raises awareness on the security implications of new and emerging technologies. Cyber stability is one area of focus for UNIDIR. Key topics include electronic and cyberwarfare, the role of regional organisations in strengthening cybersecurity, and the exploitation of ICT threats and vulnerabilities. UNIDIR provides technical and expert advice to the chairpersons of the UN GGE and OEWG on norms, international law, confidence-building measures, capacity building, co-operation, and institutional dialogue. The annual cyber stability conference brings various stakeholders together to promote a secure and stable cyberspace and in particular the role of the UN GGE and OWEG. In addition, UNIDIR organises a series of workshops on the role of regional organisations in strengthening cybersecurity and cyber stability. The Cyber Policy Portal is an online confidence-building tool that maps the cybersecurity policy landscape, fostering transparency and reducing the risk of conflict in cyberspace.

• Electronic and Cyber Warfare in Outer Space
• Supply Chain Security in the Cyber Age: Sector Trends, Current Threats and Multi-Stakeholder Responses
• Limiter l’utilisation à des fins malveillantes des menaces et vulnérabilités dans les TIC
• Stemming the Exploitation of ICT Threats and Vulnerabilities
• Fact sheet – Gender in Cyber Diplomacy
• Cyber Stability Conference 2019 report: Strengthening Global Engagement
• Innovations Dialogue 2019 Report
• The Role of Regional Organizations in Strengthening Cybersecurity and Stability
• Cyber stability conference 2019
• Innovations Dialogue Annual Conference
• The 2nd International Security Cyber Issues Workshop Series: The Role of Regional Organizations in Strengthening Cybersecurity and Stability
• Implementing Cyber Norms: National Experiences And Emerging Good Practices
• UNIDIR Side Event: Supply Chain Security In The Digital Age
• Multilateral Responses To Cyber Security Challenges: A Conversation With The Chairs Of The UN GGE And The OEWG
• Operationalizing Cyber Norms: Critical Infrastructure Protection
• Geneva Peace Week: Legal and Humanitarian Challenges in the Age of Cyber Conflict
• Presentation to the first session of the OWEG on Regular Institutional Dialogue
• Historical Briefing on the GGE Process for the GGE informal consultations – 5 December 2019 (Part 1 & Part 2)
• The 2nd International Security Cyber Issues Workshop Series – “Preserving and Enhancing International Cyber Stability: Regional Realities and Approaches”
• The UN, Cyberspace and International Peace and Security

Artificial intelligence 

‘AI and the weaponisation of increasingly autonomous technologies’ is one of the current research areas of UNIDIR, which aims to raise awareness and build capacities of various stakeholders, including member states, technical communities, academia, and the private sector. Research on AI covers a broad range of topics from human decision-making, autonomous vehicles, and swarm technologies.

• Swarm Robotics: Technical and Operational Overview of the Next Generation of Autonomous Systems
• The Human Element In Decisions About The Use Of Force
• The Role of Data in Algorithmic Decision-Making
• Framing Discussions on the Weaponization of Increasingly Autonomous Technologies
• Increasing Transparency, Oversight and Accountability of Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• Change in the Air: Disruptive Developments in UAV Technology
• The Weaponization of Increasingly Autonomous Technologies: Future Scenarios

Future of Meetings

Any reference to online or remote meetings? 

• Some meetings and conferences have been moved online including Online practitioners workshop.

Digital tools

Cyber Policy Portal