Overview

The CCW Meeting of Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS) was held from 13 to 17 April 2015 at the United Nations in Geneva. Ambassador Michael Biontino of Germany chaired the Meeting of Experts.

Mandate

The 2014 CCW Meeting of High Contracting Parties agreed on a new mandate on LAWS, which states:

"The Meeting decided to convene under the overall responsibility of the Chairperson an informal meeting of experts of up to five days during the week of 13 to 17 April 2015 to discuss the questions related to emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapons systems, in the context of the objectives and purposes of the Convention. The Chair of the Meeting of Experts will, under his or her own responsibility, submit a report to the 2015 Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention, objectively reflecting the discussions held." (CCW/MSP/2014/9, paragraph 36)