Topics

• Controlling Lethal Autonomous Weapons
• Protection of the environment in relation to armed conflicts
• Addressing the needs of children in conflict

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Leaders of the movement that lead to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons after winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Photo: AP

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Background

First Committee is the principle global forum for countries to address issues of war, armed conflict and armaments. It deals with some of the same issues as the Security Council, but works more broadly to set global disarmament priorities, policies and goals. First Committee resolutions are politically and morally binding, not legally. It can request and appeal for state action. Unlike the Security Council it cannot demand action.

As the technology of war evolves, First Committee targets global attention on the weapons and policies it thinks most dangerous and destabilizing. Some governments are convinced that nuclear disarmament is overwhelming and must come before any other action. Others want to focus on more immediate killers like landmines and cluster munitions. Some believe only threats from states are the business of the UN system, others think terrorism is equally important.

Like most UN bodies, the committee tries to work through consensus whenever possible, to insure as much international support for its recommendations as possible. But often compromise is impossible, a reality reflected in voting patterns.