This publication examines the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and is aimed for civil society actors, academics and governments that are interested in approaching weapons negotiations with a humanitarian lens. 

The UN Office for Disarmament Affairs is cooperating with the Center for International Trade and Security (CITS) at the University of Georgia on the publication of an electronic journal, the "1540 Compass." The new journal offers a platform for sharing experience in implementing Security Council resolution 1540 (2004), which calls upon States to adopt and enforce effective measures to address the threat posed by the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, as well as their means of delivery, to prevent non-State actors from gaining access to such items or materials. The 1540 Compass also establishes an interactive forum for advancing and discussing ideas which could assist the international community to bolster existing cooperation and forging new partnerships in promoting the implementation of the resolution.

This publication contains research and in-depth analysis by leading non-governmental experts and researchers on the plans of nuclear weapon modernization by China, France, India, Israel, Pakistan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It also analyzes the costs of nuclear weapons in the context of the economic crisis, austerity measures, and rising challenges in meeting human and environmental needs. Combined, the nuclear weapon possessors have spent approximately one hundred billion USD on their nuclear programmes.

The number of people threatened by nuclear-war induced famine would be well over one billion. The studies in this report from International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War and Physicians for Social Responsibility demonstrate the need for additional research and underscore the urgent need to move with all possible speed to the negotiation of a nuclear weapons convention that will eliminate the danger of nuclear war.

This resource guide was created by Religions for Peace to raise awareness about cluster munitions and their effects, and provide suggestions for how religious leaders can advocate for change and provide unique support for survivors and their communities. While it targets faith-based organizations and religious leaders, much of the information can be useful to other groups. Religions for Peace is a member of the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) a global network of nearly 200 civil society organisations, including NGOs, faith-based groups and professional associations.

This resource guide highlights the specific impact of cluster bombs in Lao, PDR, which is widely considered to be the most bombed country, per capita, in the world but was also the host of the First Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions in 2010.

This resource guide is designed for religious leaders, communities and organizations at all levels to better understand and respond to the many problems posed by small arms and light weapons, as well as the issues that fuel their use and trade. Developed by Religions for Peace, it is meant to put this issue in the context of other problems and show that in addressing some of the challenges that small arms pose, stakeholders can also have a broader positive impact. Though this resource guide focuses on Africa, many elements of the manual will be useful to other regions of the world.

Request for an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice (ICJ or the Court) in 1996 determined that the key to overcoming the risks posed by nuclear weapons is the legal obligation to negotiate disarmament in good faith. In spite of the Court's finding, states have made little progress for more than a decade towards fulfilling that obligation. States have also had strongly opposing views of what they are required to do. High-level voices have noted the lack of progress and, stressing the urgency of the situation, called for renewed efforts to achieve a nuclear weapon-free world.

Global norms and treaty regimes play an indispensable role in controlling and eliminating nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) weapons. The possession and use of biological and chemical weapons is prohibited by the Biological Weapons Convention and Chemical Weapons Convention. For almost all states, the possession of nuclear weapons is prohibited by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and their use is at least generally prohibited by international law as set forth by the International Court of Justice. The regimes give institutional life to the norms through regular meetings of states in review processes, and through implementing agencies engaged in monitoring compliance.

This collaborative work of non-governmental researchers and activists critically examines the mainstream discourse of nuclear weapons. The book explores some of the most important challenges that governments and civil society will face at the 2010 NPT Review Conference and beyond, highlighting the prospects and pitfalls for nuclear disarmament in the current world order. Throughout, the authors demonstrate that nuclear disarmament must be pursued in the context of a broader movement for social and economic justice and equality.

Narrated by Michael Douglas, United Nations Messenger of Peace
This was a collaborative production of the United Nations and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. 39 tracks, 67 minutes, accompanied by a 28-page booklet.
Released 26 August 2008

This book represents the work of and the lessons learned from a partnership with Albania, Cambodia, Niger and Peru based on a two-year collaboration between the United Nations and the Hague Appeal for Peace. Its aim is to promote peace and disarmament education into school curricula and communities.

Why is disarmament important? Global Arms Expenditures, Nuclear Weapons, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Chemical Weapons, Biological Weapons, etc. Published by the Office for Disarmament Affairs, this guide explains basic disarmament issues in terms that adults as well as high school students can understand.

Peace education is a comprehensive and holistic participatory process that includes teaching and learning for and about human rights, non-violence, social and economic justice, gender equality, environmental sustainability, disarmament, international law, human security and traditional peace practices.

This youth created, youth oriented publication looks to achieve this objective through peace campaigns focusing on issues including landmines, small arms, peace education, promoting children''s rights, stopping the use of child soldiers, and abolishing nuclear weapons.