United Nations
Office for Disarmament
Affairs
Spotlights
See the top, latest stories and events coming from UNODA.
Exchange with the Director and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs at the 81st session of the First Committee of the General Assembly
16 October, 2026
High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu's keynote address at the 2026 Singapore International Cyber Week - “Cyber at a Crossroads: Shaping the New Cyber Order”
15 October, 2026
High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu's keynote address to The Imagine Forum
14 October, 2026
High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu's remarks to the opening of the 81st session of the First Committee of the General Assembly
6 October, 2026
2025 Disarmament Yearbook
29 September, 2026
UNODA Impact Snapshot 2025
Explore this visual overview of delivery and results from the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs today.
29 September, 2026
High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu's Opening Remarks at the High-Level Event “Rising Military Expenditures: Alternatives to Achieve Durable Security”
28 September, 2026
High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu's Remarks at the Twelfth Ministerial Meeting of the Friends of the CTBT
25 September, 2026
High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu's video message to the workshop on the national implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)
24 September, 2026
Updates
See the top, latest stories and events coming from UNODA.
Remembering our past to shape our future: UNODA’s panel on memory preservation and youth engagement during UNGA81
Howard is a survivor of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima, also known as a hibakusha. Tina grew up in a family that experienced firsthand the effects of nuclear testing in New Mexico, commonly referred to as downwinders. In early 2026, they met for the first time at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to reflect on the weight of history, the importance of preserving their stories, and how to engage future generations in a period of heightened tension as new nuclear…
The 2026 #StepUp4Disarmament Challenge Celebrates its Global Reach with Two High-Level Events
Across the world in August, young people ran, walked, cycled and rolled the distance of 8.29km to mark the International Day against Nuclear Tests on 29 August and to raise awareness for the humanitarian consequences of nuclear explosions.
The 6th #StepUp4Disarmament Challenge, an annual campaign by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) in collaboration with, the Government of Kazakhstan was held in 2026 against a backdrop of two anniversaries: thirty years since the opening for signature of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), and thirty-five…
UNODA and UNIDIR convene an informal retreat to support the final stages of the BWC Working Group process
On 29–30 September 2026, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, with financial support from the European Union, co-organized an informal retreat in Montreux, Switzerland, to support the negotiations within the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention which will conclude by the end of the year.
UNODA-UNIDIR Informal Retreat: “Getting the BWC Working Group Over the Line”The 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) was the first treaty to prohibit an entire class of weapons of…
How can disarmament education keep pace with a changing security and information landscape?
With the Secretary-General's latest biennial report on disarmament and non-proliferation education (DNPE) (A/81/151) recently released and the next General Assembly resolution on the topic due for consideration this autumn, UNODA Vienna convened another edition of its Vienna Conversation Series on 23 September 2026 under the title "Networks for Change: Disarmament Education in Practice". The hybrid event brought together diplomats, educators, academics and youth representatives to take stock of recent trends and discuss how disarmament education can reach diverse audiences.
…Events and Announcements
See the top events and announcements from UNODA.
Meetings and Events
Announcements
Call for Applications for the third edition of Youth4Disarmament Champions
UN Office for Disarmament Affairs’ flagship youth outreach programme, Youth4Disarmament is happy to launch the third edition of its Youth4Disarmament Champions training programme.
Find more information and the form to apply here by 28 June (23:59 EDT).
SG Statements
HR Statements
Press Releases
ODA at a glance
UNODA supports the development and implementation of practical disarmament measures after a conflict, such as disarming and demobilizing former combatants and helping them to reintegrate in civil society.
Established in January 1998
United Nations ODA was established in January 1998 as the Department for Disarmament Affairs which was part of the SG’s programme for reform in accordance with his report to the General Assembly (A/51/950).
Supports General and complete disarmament
The Office for Disarmament Affairs supports multilateral efforts aimed at achieving the ultimate goal of general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control. The mandate for the programme is derived from the priorities established in relevant General Assembly resolutions and decisions in the field of disarmament, including the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly, the first special session devoted to disarmament (resolution S-10/2).
Provides support in the area of disarmament
UNODA provides substantive and organizational support for norm-setting in the area of disarmament through the work of the General Assembly and its First Committee, the Disarmament Commission, the Conference on Disarmament and other bodies. It fosters disarmament measures through dialogue, transparency and confidence-building on military matters, and encourages regional disarmament efforts; these include the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms and regional forums.
Provides information to Member States
UNODA provides objective, impartial and up-to-date information on multilateral disarmament issues and activities to Member States, States parties to multilateral agreements, intergovernmental organizations and institutions, departments and agencies of the United Nations system, research and educational institutions, civil society, especially non-governmental organizations, the media and the general public.
Structure of ODA
The main parts of the Office for Disarmament Affairs, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat. All were established in 1945 when the UN was founded.
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Support to multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation efforts with respect to weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Conventional Arms
Focusing disarmament and arms control efforts on all weapons not considered WMD, including small arms and light weapons (SALW).
Regional Disarmament
The enhancement of global disarmament and international peace and security through the support and promotion of regional disarmament efforts.
Emerging Challenges
Include UNODA’s work in science and technology, AI, autonomous weapons, ICT and outer space, among other areas.
Cross-cutting issues
Include UNODA’s work in education, youth, gender, counter-terrorism the environment, among other areas.
Watch and Learn
Video and audio from across the United Nations and our world-wide family of agencies, funds, and programmes.
What is disarmament?
Throughout history, countries have pursued disarmament to stop arms races, build trust, and protect people from harm. Disarmament has been central to the work of the United Nations since its founding, and it is critical for building a more secure and peaceful world. But what actually is disarmament? This video introduces audiences to the ideas and concepts behind disarmament and arms control.
How does disarmament and arms control work?
This video takes a look at the processes and mechanisms behind modern disarmament and arms control, and how we work together to realise disarmament goals.
How to engage
In this video we look at how individuals can engage with disarmament, and the importance of strengthening cooperation and coordination at all levels. We also look at the need to engage with more diverse groups to bring new perspectives, expertise and ideas to the table.
Disarmament in the 21st Century
This video introduces audiences to “Securing our Common Future”, the Secretary-General’s Agenda for Disarmament. The Agenda is based on four key pillars designed to bring the objectives of disarmament into the 21st century. Examining each of the pillars, this video looks at how we approach disarmament today.
Disarmament and the Sustainable Development Goals
Here we take a look at the vital role disarmament and arms control play in achieving the sustainable development goals.
