“…the General Assembly may consider the general principles of cooperation in the maintenance of international peace and security, including the principles governing disarmament and regulation of armaments…”

– Article 11 of the UN Charter

First Committee

“The Disarmament and International Security Committee” is concerned with disarmament and related international security questions.

United Nations Disarmament Commission (UNDC)

Created by the General Assembly in 1952, the UNDC has a general mandate to discuss disarmament questions. It convenes each year for a three week period in April and May.

Special Sessions on Disarmament

The General Assembly has held three Special Sessions devoted to Disarmament (SSOD): SSOD-I in 1978, SSOD-II in 1982 and SSOD-III in 1988. Since 1995, the General Assembly has been calling for a fourth session on disarmament. It then established Working Groups in 2003 and 2007 to discuss the agenda and the possibility of establishing a preparatory committee for an SSOD-IV.

Open-Ended Working Group on an Arms Trade Treaty

Member States decided in 2008 “to establish an open-ended working group, to meet for up to six one-week sessions starting in 2009”.

UN Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa

On 28 May 1992, the Secretary-General established the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa.