By: Alex Rodriguez

The General Assembly First Committee focuses on disarmament and works to regulate conventional weapons and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) to promote global peace and security.

Its efforts aim to reduce arms through measures like transparency and trust-building, using tools such as the UN Register of Conventional Arms (UNROCA). Past international agreements, have made progress, but new challenges are emerging, particularly with technologies like autonomous weapons and artificial intelligence (AI) in warfare.

Disarmament has long been recognized as a critical need, debate often centers on whether the immediate threat of smaller arms, e.g. gang violence or land mines, require more urgent attention than the potential dangers caused by nuclear bombs or chemical weapons.

Member States like Austria, Czechia, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia are working towards a solution of total disarmament: “This would be a slow and gradual process,” said Representative Emmett Eliers of Slovenia. “Each region would be held accountable for violence with tiers of punishment for armed crimes.”

While many Member States support disarmament as a way to promote peace, others have reservations. These States often express concerns about national security, regional stability or their own political interests. Additionally, the influence of non-state actors, such as militant groups, adds complexity as these groups are not bound by international agreements.

Albania took a stand, emphasizing the need for a more pragmatic approach. Referencing past failures in disarmament, the Representative highlighted examples like Ethiopia and Kosovo to stress the importance of strong state support. Though the specific limitations remain unclear, the statement served as more of a call for a realistic perspective on what disarmament could ultimately look like.

Conventional weapons cause significant harm in conflicts, including civilian casualties, displacement and environmental damage. New Zealand adds to the importance of prioritizing the regulation of conventional and lethal autonomous weapons. “We believe that the current legal and regulatory frameworks are not keeping pace with the rate of technological advancement,” said Representative Paul Roberts of New Zealand. 

WMDs, however, can have even more severe and long-lasting effects, potentially affecting entire populations and ecosystems. Alternatively, the Philippines raised the point that, while nuclear weapons may be a major concern, WMDs are not often the root cause of most armed conflicts. These differing views create challenges for the UN in pursuing universal disarmament, as it must balance international cooperation, regulation and global peace and stability with the security concerns of individual nations.