The uncontrolled accumulation and spread of all categories of weapons have a devastating humanitarian impact and strategically destabilising consequences.
The Arms Proliferation Cluster aims to promote innovative, cooperative and rules-based responses to this phenomenon. In particular, it seeks to offer novel solutions to this longstanding and complex issue taking into account its interrelationships with other security challenges (terrorism, organised crime, regional conflicts, new technologies, notably). This is all the more needed in the uncertain context marked by unprecedented challenges to the traditional arms control regimes.
The Cluster meets these goals by:
- Responding to demand for knowledge on up-to-date current geopolitical, technological and legal developments as well as for advice, education and dialogue from and among key stakeholders. This is done, for instance, by building capacities worldwide on implementing the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) or the Biological Weapons Convention or training officials from the Middle East and North Africa on arms control.
- Developing partnerships with, and a high visibility among, key stakeholders (government representatives, both in Geneva and in capitals, civil society organisations, academia) to promote cross-institutional and multi-stakeholder approaches. In that respect, regular Track-II meetings are held and proposals formulated on a WMD-free Zone in the Middle East.
- Conducting policy analysis on current and potential developments, especially in connection to related fields (such as violent extremism, transnational organised crime, technological innovation, maritime security, strategic foresight, etc.).
In our executive education courses and dialogue events, we seek to offer a neutral and inclusive platform to address relevant topics freely, taking into account all viewpoints as well as the national and regional security environment while promoting collaborative approaches. Apart from the knowledge they derive from expert presentations, participants improve their skills in practical exercises.
Network and collaborate
The community of practice of our Alumni remains active in sharing professional experiences and good practices. They meet on a regular basis at international conferences in Geneva and other multilateral forums. They are encouraged to follow refresher courses at GCSP and train their own colleagues at home.
