Overview

In 2021, the Sixth Review Conference decided that the work of the open-ended Group of Governmental Experts related to emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapon systems (GGE on LAWS) established by Decision 1 of the Fifth Review Conference as contained in document CCW/CONF.V/10, adhering to the agreed recommendations contained in document CCW/CONF.V/2, is to continue, to strengthen the Convention.

In the context of the objectives and purpose of the Convention, the Group is to consider proposals and elaborate, by consensus, possible measures, including taking into account the example of existing protocols within the Convention, and other options related to the normative and operational framework on emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapon systems, building upon the recommendations and conclusions of the Group of Governmental Experts related to emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapon systems, and bringing in expertise on legal, military, and technological aspects.

International law, in particular the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law, as well as relevant ethical perspectives should guide the continued work of the Group.

At the Sixth Review Conference, it was decided that the GGE on LAWS shall meet for 10 days in Geneva in 2022 (7-11 March and 25-29 July).

The session is broadcast live on https://media.un.org/en/webtvEdit.

The two sessions of the 2022 Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems, chaired by Ambassador Flavio Damico Soaeres of Brazil, respectively took place on:

Documents

CCW/GGE.1/2022/1 - Provisional agenda for 2022 sessions

CCW/GGE.1/2022/2 - Report of the 2022 session of the GGE on Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems

Submissions from States

Principles and Good Practices on Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems - Proposed by Australia, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Proposal for a GGE document on the application of International Humanitarian Law to Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems - Proposed by the United Kingdom.
Working Paper submitted to the 2022 Chair of the GGE on emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) on behalf of Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, State of Palestine, Switzerland, and Uruguay.
Written Commentary Calling for a Legally-Binding Instrument on Autonomous Weapon Systems by the Delegations of Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Sierra Leone, State of Palestine, and Uruguay.
Proposal: Roadmap Towards New Protocol on Autonomous Weapons Systems, Submitted by Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Panama, the Philippines, Sierra Leone, State of Palestine and Uruguay.
Working paper on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems submitted by the People's Republic China (English version).
Working paper submitted by Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden.
Working paper - Protocol VI submitted by Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nigeria, Panama, the Philippines, Sierra Leone and Uruguay.
Working paper - Application of International Law to Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems submitted by the Russian Federation (English version).
Working paper submitted by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and other States Parties to the CCW.
Elements for a legally binding instrument to address the challenges posed by autonomy in weapon systems. Working paper submitted by Chile and Mexico.

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