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Role of the United Nations
The UN is the global forum for multilateral consultations on arms control.
The UN Charter mandates both the General Assembly and the Security Council to formulate proposals on disarmament and arms control. In addition, there are a number of UN bodies that focus specifically on disarmament. The Conference on Disarmament and its predecessors in Geneva produced the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the treaties banning chemical and biological weapons. In its First Committee, the UN General Assembly discusses progress on arms control every year and seeks support for new initiatives. For example, the UN General Assembly developed the UN Programme of Action against Illicit Trafficking in Small Arms and the Arms Trade Treaty. The UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) provides administrative support for a wide range of multilateral and regional arms control treaties.
Learn more about the UN's role in arms control at the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).
Role of the European Union
Through diplomatic, technical, and financial support, the EU helps enforce international treaties banning or limiting nuclear, chemical, biological, and conventional weapons. The EU works with third countries, international organisations, and civil society to reduce, secure and prevent global weapons stockpiles from being diverted to criminals or terrorists, and to regulate the development of new weapons and technologies. The EU, together with its member states in their national capacities, is one of the world's largest donors in the field of demining.
The EU has a strategy against illicit firearms, small arms and light weapons and a strategy against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The "non-proliferation clause" must be included in any mixed agreement between the EU and a third country. This clause obliges the signatories to fulfil their non-proliferation obligations.
The EU regularly undertakes targeted diplomatic demarches related to disarmament and non-proliferation, for example to persuade third countries to accede to major arms control agreements such as the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and the Chemical Weapons Convention.
EU Council decisions on arms control and export controls are prepared in specific council working groups, CONOP and COARM respectively, where member states' specialists meet on a monthly basis to reach common positions.
The EU supports the EU-Non-Proliferation Consortium, a network of academics and researchers specialising in non-proliferation and disarmament. The Consortium supports and disseminates scientific publications, organises conferences and workshops and brings together researchers from all over the world.
For more information consult the Diplomatic Service of the European Union.
Role of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
The OSCE focuses on reducing tensions through confidence-building measures and arms control treaties. With agreements on inspections, reporting and notifications on military activities, the OSCE seeks to promote transparency and trust among its member states.
- The Open Skies Treaty allows countries to carry out unarmed reconnaissance flights over each other's territory to monitor military activities with a view to build trust. Images can be taken during these flights, which can be used in international forums. The US and Russia withdrew from the treaty in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Nevertheless, the treaty remains functional, and the 32 remaining treaty states continue to implement it.
- The Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE Treaty) has been a key pillar of security in Europe since it was signed in 1990. The treaty set limits on the quantities of heavy conventional weapons that NATO and Warsaw Pact countries could possess. Specifically, the CFE concerns tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, fighter aircraft and helicopters. There was an obligation to share detailed military information on these objects, which could then be verified by inspections. In 2023, however, Russia formally terminated the treaty. In response, NATO allies suspended application of the treaty in 2024. Unlike Russia's final denunciation, a suspension allows the treaty to be reactivated when circumstances permit.
- The OSCE Vienna Document is a set of agreements aimed at promoting trust and security among participating states through transparency, reporting, consultation, inspections and predictability in military activities.
Despite major challenges, the OSCE remains a crucial part of the European security architecture.
Learn more about the OSCE's role in arms control on the OSCE website.
Role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
NATO has been playing an increasingly prominent role in arms control in recent years.
For instance, NATO organises an annual arms control course, with Belgium as a co-sponsor, and an annual conference on weapons of mass destruction with relevant think tanks, industry and academics. NATO provides a platform where allies can exchange thoughts and positions on issues. The organisation keeps a finger on the pulse on new technologies (including the impact of artificial intelligence), developments in outer space and the challenges of the current geopolitical security situation.
NATO closely monitors relevant discussions in other fora (OSCE, UN, EU) as well as bilateral treaties (such as New START), and also facilitates coordination among allies ahead of and during key events. NATO continues efforts to restore rules-based international order and strategic stability.
Learn more about NATO's role in arms control on the NATO website.
