The UN’s founders hoped that the maintenance of international peace and security would lead to the control and eventual reduction of weapons. Therefore the Charter empowers the General Assembly to consider principles for arms control and disarmament and to make recommendations to member states and the Security Council. The Charter also gives the Security Council the responsibility to formulate plans for arms control and disarmament. Although the goal of arms control and disarmament has proved elusive, the UN has facilitated the negotiation of several multilateral arms control treaties. Because of the enormous destructive power realized with the development and use of the atomic bomb during World War II, the General Assembly in 1946 created the Atomic Energy Commission to assist in the urgent consideration of the control of atomic energy and in the reduction of atomic weapons. The United States promoted the Baruch Plan, which proposed the elimination of existing stockpiles of atomic bombs only after a system of international control was established and prohibited veto power in the Security Council on the commission’s decisions. The Soviet Union, proposing the Gromyko Plan, wanted to ensure the destruction of stockpiles before agreeing to an international supervisory scheme and wanted to retain the Security Council veto power over the commission.

The conflicting positions of the two superpowers prevented agreement on the international control of atomic weapons and energy. The international community continues to consider more closely the excessive and destabilizing proliferation of small arms and light weapons and has mobilized to combat the massive deployment of landmines – instruments that threaten the economic and social fabric of societies and kill and maim civilians, all too many of whom are women and children. There is also wider recognition that all types of weapons impact women, men, boys, and girls differently. The UN is also focusing on the impact of new information, telecommunications technologies, and other emerging technologies on international security. Through global efforts, several multilateral treaties and instruments have been established with the aim of regulating, restricting, or eliminating certain weapons. These include the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the Biological and Chemical Weapons Convention, the Anti-Personnel Landmine Convention, the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and the Arms Trade Treaty.

People are differently involved in and impacted by weapons, armed conflict, and issues related to weapons and security based on their gender and other factors. Disarmament and arms control processes and policies are more effective when the realities faced by women, men girls, and boys are taken into consideration. Multiple international frameworks and UN resolutions recognize the gender dimensions of disarmament and arms control. For example, according to the Arms Trade Treaty, States Parties are legally required to assess how the export of conventional weapons and ammunition can be used to commit gender-based violence, and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons acknowledges the disproportionate impact of nuclear radiation on women and girls. Many Solutions have been provided to engage, educate and empower young people with the aim of facilitating their meaningful and inclusive participation in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation. Through the combination of educational, creative, and innovative practices, the initiative invites youth of all backgrounds, interests, and expertise to meaningfully participate in Securing our Common Future – one safer, more sustainable, and peaceful for all and future generations.