The Geneva Branch of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) are pleased to invite representatives of Permanent Missions to the United Nations at Geneva and delegations of international/regional organizations in Geneva to participate in the 2024 Edition of the Disarmament Orientation Course. The course will be held in person at the Palais des Nations in Geneva over five sessions, each lasting two hours. Further information and details will be provided in the coming weeks.
The course will take place over the following dates:
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16, 17 and 19 September: 8:00 - 10:00 CET
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24 and 26 September: 8:00 - 10:00 CET
The objectives of this course are to:
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Introduce new delegates to Geneva-based disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control matters and mechanisms;
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Present the Geneva-based multilateral disarmament forums and their respective processes;
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Outline practical resources and the latest research available to the disarmament community in Geneva; and
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Provide a forum to discuss disarmament priorities, outline opportunities and current challenges facing these bodies and processes in today’s security context.
The expected outcomes are:
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Enhanced understanding of relevant disarmament and arms control concepts, issues and mechanisms;
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Increased levels of participation in Geneva-based processes and discussions; and
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A further consolidated Geneva-based disarmament community.
Throughout the two-week period, five course modules will address key thematic topics, including weapons of mass destruction, conventional weapons, space and missiles, ICT, AI, LAWS and cyber as well as current trends and developments in disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control.
The course is open to diplomats or officials with responsibilities for disarmament and arms control matters who have recently arrived in Geneva. Please kindly note that the course is free of charge and will be delivered in English.
Nominations and expressions of interest to participate in this course should be submitted through Indico no later than 26 July 2024.
A note verbale from Permanent Missions is required for individual registrations. We kindly ask Missions to provide only one note verbale listing the full names of all interested delegates, in case of several applications.
Following a review of nominations, selected participants will be notified by early August 2024.
