International Disarmament Law 2026
What role is there for international disarmament law in today’s challenging geopolitical environment?
Many disarmament treaties and bodies are under pressure due to the state of international relations. However, the law created in this area is more important than ever to understand and uphold. When times get better, new law will be required, and drawing lessons from the current multilateral disarmament treaties will be important.
Disarmament is integral to the safeguarding and promotion of security, development, and human rights. Over the past fifty years many multilateral disarmament treaties have been concluded and form an integral part of international law today.
This course explores contemporary international rules governing disarmament as well as related issues of arms control, non-proliferation and international humanitarian law. It further examines the political, operational, and technical considerations which affect their implementation. It also gets participants to think about the future of international disarmament law.
Learning objectives
Identify and understand the key concepts of International Disarmament Law and consider how to draft new law to address emerging challenges to arms control and disarmament.
Modules
The core modules for this course are:
- Key Concepts and Definitions in International Disarmament Law
- The regulation of the use of weapons
- The regulation of the transfer of weapons
- The role of a disarmament treaty secretariat
- The prohibition on stockpiling in International Disarmament Law
- Demining as disarmament in practice
- The prohibition of lethal autonomous weapons
- The future of International Disarmament Law
Who should attend
The course is designed for anyone wishing to increase their knowledge of international disarmament law. It is open to all levels of experience but will be particularly useful for those starting out their work in this area.
Costs
750 CHF
Early-Bird Discount of CHF 250 if you apply before 1 August 2026. GCSP Alumni qualify for a 20% discount on the standard rate. Get another 100 CHF off each if you bring a friend or colleague – you must ensure they mention your name in their online application.
Application Deadline: 7 September 2026
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The course is based on modern tools and cutting-edge research on international disarmament law, policy and practice, including the book “A Guide to International Disarmament Law” (Routledge, 2019).
The GCSP reserves the right to modify the dates, mode of delivery and fees of our courses. Sign up to stay informed.
In the current environment where violent conflicts, rapid technological innovation, and nuclear security fears compete for primacy in international dialogue, GCSP brings a voice of calm reassurance and reason essential to resolving our most pressing issues. The International Disarmament Law provided me with a foundational understanding of the legal framework that underpins the international legal system. It gave me a glimpse into how complex negotiating a treaty or a policy can be when different cultural and political backgrounds come to the deliberation table. It emphasized the importance of personal reflection when faced with opposing ideas.
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