WG on Demilitarisation/GCOMS – International Peace Bureau (IPB)
This calendar provides an overview of key international disarmament meetings and relevant dates for the remainder of 2026. It is intended to support information-sharing within the WG on Demilitarisation/GCOMS and identify opportunities for monitoring, communication, advocacy and possible content for IPB communication channels.
SEPTEMBER
7–9 September | CCW Preparatory Committee for the Seventh Review Conference
Geneva, Switzerland – Palais des Nations
The Preparatory Committee will prepare for the Seventh Review Conference of the Conventionon Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), including organisational and substantive matters that will inform the Review Conference in November. The meeting is particularly relevant to developments across the CCW framework, including discussions on autonomous weapons systems and the future direction of the Convention.
Official information and documents: UNODA Meetings – CCW Preparatory Committee
Webcast: UN Web TV
14–18 September | Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions
Vientiane, Lao PDR
The Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) will review the operation and implementation of the Convention and assess progress made under the Lausanne Action Plan.
Under the theme “Accelerating progress towards a world free from the threat of cluster munitions,” the Conference is expected to consider the next phase of implementation of the Convention, including the proposed Vientiane Capital Action Plan for 2027–2031 and a political declaration.
The Conference is particularly relevant in the current context of challenges to the international norm against cluster munitions and continued efforts towards universalisation, stockpile destruction, clearance, victim assistance and international cooperation.
Official information: Convention on Cluster Munitions – Third Review Conference
Official documents: UNODA Meeting Place / CCM Third Review Conference.
OCTOBER
October | UN General Assembly First Committee – Disarmament and International Security
New York, United States – United Nations Headquarters
The First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly deals with disarmament, global challenges and threats to peace that affect the international community.
Its annual session provides one of the main global forums for States to address nuclear weapons, conventional weapons, autonomous weapons systems, outer space security, military expenditure and the broader international disarmament machinery.
The First Committee is particularly relevant for monitoring States’ positions and emerging resolutions on issues related to the mandate of the WG on Demilitarisation/GCOMS.Official information: United Nations General Assembly – First Committee
Livestream: UN Web TV .
24–30 October | United Nations Disarmament Week Global
Disarmament Week begins annually on 24 October, the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. It was established following the 1978 Special Session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament.
The Week seeks to increase public awareness of the dangers of the arms race and promote understanding of the importance and urgency of disarmament.
For the WG on Demilitarisation/GCOMS, the week provides an opportunity for coordinated communications, articles, campaigns, webinars or other public-facing activities addressing military expenditure, demilitarisation and different areas of disarmament.
Official information: United Nations – Disarmament Week.
NOVEMBER
12 November | CCW Protocol V – Twentieth Annual Conference
Geneva, Switzerland – Palais des Nations
The annual conference of High Contracting Parties to Protocol V of the CCW addresses explosive remnants of war and the implementation of obligations concerning clearance, risk reduction, cooperation and assistance.
Official information: UNODA Meetings – CCW Protocol V .
13 November | CCW Amended Protocol II – Twenty-Eighth Annual Conference
Geneva, Switzerland – Palais des Nations
The annual conference reviews implementation of Amended Protocol II to the CCW, which regulates the use of mines, booby-traps and other devices.
Official information: UNODA Meetings – CCW Amended Protocol II.
16–20 November | Seventh Review Conference of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW)
Geneva, Switzerland – Palais des Nations
The Seventh Review Conference is a major institutional milestone for the CCW. States will review the scope and operation of the Convention and its Protocols and consider future priorities and work.The Conference will be particularly significant for the future of discussions on autonomous weapons systems following the work undertaken by the GGE on LAWS. It therefore represents an important moment for monitoring State positions, civil society advocacy and possible developments concerning international regulation.
Official information and documents: UNODA Meetings – CCW Seventh Review Conference
Livestream: UN Web TV , when available.
23–27 November | Open-ended Working Group on Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space – Fourth Session
Geneva, Switzerland – Palais des Nations
The fourth session of the Open-ended Working Group addresses the prevention of an arms race in outer space.
The meeting is relevant to the broader demilitarisation mandate of the Working Group, particularly in relation to emerging military technologies, space security and efforts to prevent the expansion of military competition into new domains.
Official information: United Nations / UNODA.
30 November–4 December | First Review Conference of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)
New York, United States – United Nations Headquarters
The First Review Conference represents a major milestone for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. States Parties will review the implementation and status of the Treaty and consider further measures towards nuclear disarmament.
South Africa will serve as President of the First Review Conference. The meeting will also provide an important space for engagement by civil society, affected communities and international organisations.
For IPB and the WG on Demilitarisation/GCOMS, the Conference represents a significant opportunity for advocacy on nuclear disarmament and the relationship between nuclear weapons, militarisation and military expenditure.
Official information and documents: UNODA – TPNW First Review Conference
Civil society information: ICAN – TPNW First Review Conference
Livestream: UN Web TV .
30 November–4 December | Mine Ban Treaty – Twenty-Third Meeting of States Parties (23MSP)
Geneva, Switzerland – Palais des Nations
The Twenty-Third Meeting of States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention will review implementation of the Convention, including mine clearance, victim assistance, stockpile destruction, international cooperation and challenges to universalisation and compliance.
The meeting remains an important forum for humanitarian disarmament and for defending the international norm against anti-personnel mines.
Official information: Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention – 23MSP.
DECEMBER
7–11 December | Biological Weapons Convention – Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention
Geneva, Switzerland – Palais des Nations
The Working Group will continue discussions aimed at strengthening the effectiveness and implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).
Its work forms part of broader multilateral efforts to strengthen international disarmament architecture and address evolving security and technological challenges.
Official information: UNODA Meetings – Biological Weapons Convention.
14–16 December | Biological Weapons Convention – Meeting of States Parties
Geneva, Switzerland – Palais des Nations
The annual Meeting of States Parties will consider developments concerning the implementation and strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention.
The meeting closes an important year for multilateral disarmament processes and provides an additional opportunity to monitor developments in international arms control and disarmament.
Official information: UNODA Meetings – BWC Meeting of States Parties.
Useful platforms for monitoring international disarmament meetings
UN Web TV – Livestreams and recordings of United Nations meetings, including many disarmament-related sessions held in New York and Geneva.
UNODA Meetings Place – Official meeting pages, agendas, programmes of work, statements, working papers and other documentation for UN disarmament processes.
