Arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation

Tensions and conflicts between countries are also increasingly being settled in the cyber domain. Belgian institutions have already been victims of cyber-attacks originating from governmental opponents on several occasions. Cyber security is high on the agenda. Internationally, Belgium is cooperating within the framework of the UN in the development of standards and rules for the behaviour of states in cyberspace. These initiatives are aimed at preventing cyber conflicts and promoting stability by encouraging responsible behaviour and cooperation of states.

Tensions are also rising in space. The 1967 Space Treaty forms the basis of international space law and prohibits the placement of weapons of mass destruction in space and the militarisation of celestial bodies. Within the UN framework, Belgian diplomacy contributes to preventing an arms race in space by promoting transparency, responsible use, and confidence-building measures.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing very rapidly in all domains, including the military. The regulation of autonomous weapon systems (AWS) has been negotiated for years in the context of the CCW. These initiatives aim to mitigate the risks associated with the militarisation of emerging technologies and ensure that their use complies with international law and humanitarian principles. Belgium has taken an active stance in this debate, emphasising the need for human supervision of the use of weapons that can operate autonomously.