The 2023 Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) decided to organize "the Group of Governmental Experts of the High Contracting Parties related to emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), for a duration of 10 days, from 4 to 8 March 2024 and from 26 to 30 August 2024" (CCW/MSP/2023/7, paragraph 24 (c)). The Meeting also adopted the relevant cost estimates for 2024 as contained in CCW/MSP/2023/5.
The 2023 Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the CCW also decided "That the work of the open-ended Group of Governmental Experts related to emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapon systems 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 further consider and formulate, by consensus, a set of elements of an instrument, without prejudging its nature, and other possible measures to address emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapon systems, taking into account the example of existing Protocols within the Convention, proposals presented by High Contracting Parties 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, and bringing in expertise on legal, military, and technological aspects." (CCW/MSP/2023/7, paragraph 20)
On 8 February 2024, the CCW Implementation Support Unit circulated an aide-mémoire providing information on attending the first 2024 session of the GGE on LAWS.
On 10 June 2024, the CCW Implementation Support Unit circulated an aide-mémoire providing information on attending the second 2024 session of the GGE on LAWS.
CCW/GGE.1/2024/WP.10 - Working paper submitted by Australia, Canada, Estonia, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States
CCW/GGE.1/2024/CRP.3 - Background paper on existing international humanitarian law applicable to lethal autonomous weapon systems
CCW/GGE.1/2024/CRP.4 - Measures needed to ensure compliance with International Humanitarian Law and the identification of potential additional measures
Side Events
MARCH SIDE-EVENTS
04
March2024
Charting the Course on AWS Regulations: Voices from the Indo-PacificThe development of advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), is rapidly transforming human life and experience. The imminent diffusion of AI technology could solve many of our old problems, but they could also disrupt our political and social orders, especially in its applications in autonomous weapons systems (AWS).
In September 2022, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pointed this out by calling on the international community to develop governance structures to prevent the weaponization of these emerging technologies. In the New Agenda for Peace, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for UN member states to conclude by 2026, a legally binding instrument to prohibit lethal autonomous weapon systems. While there are discussions to address AWS in the UN, particularly in the context of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), voices and concerns from the Indo-Pacific on this important issue are often unheard. To provide a space to discuss and consider the implications of the use of autonomy in weapons systems from the point of view of the Indo-Pacific region, the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines organized the Manila Meeting on Indo-Pacific Perspectives on Autonomous Weapon Systems last 13-14 December 2023.
The Philippines seeks to continue to elevate these voices from the Indo-Pacific as we continue to chart the course on AWS regulation. In this side event, we will focus on two of the many issues related to AWS that are important to the Indo-Pacific: 1) Potential environmental effects on the marine environment, and 2) The need for prohibitions and regulations.
Organized by the Philippines
13:15-14:25Room XXIII
05
March2024
The Legal Review of Autonomous Weapons Systems: good practices, novel questions and challengesThe LAWS GGE has recognised the importance of states’ obligations under international law to conduct legal reviews of autonomous weapons systems (AWS). The 2023 GGE also specifically encouraged the voluntary exchange of good practice in this area. This side event will consider novel questions or challenges that may arise in the conduct of such reviews and explore good practices relevant to states reviewing AWS. It will consist of four expert panel presentations followed by a Q&A and interactive discussion.
Organized by the Permanent Mission of Australia
13:00-15:00Room XXIII
06
March2024
Fixing Gender Glitches in Military AI: Mitigating Unintended Biases and Tackling RisksThe Permanent Missions of Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, Ireland, Panama and the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) invite you to an interactive, in-person side event addressing the challenge of gender glitches in military applications of artificial intelligence (AI) – that is, gender-specific oversights and biases that can occur in the development, deployment, and regulation of AI.
13:15-14:45Room XXIII
06
March2024
Briefing on the Vienna Conference “Humanity at the Crossroads”, 29-30 April 2024The briefing will inform delegations about objectives and modalities of the International Conference “Humanity at the Crossroads: Autonomous Weapons Systems an the Challenge of Regulation” taking place in Vienna from 29-30 April 2024
13:00-15:00Room IX
08
March2024
What are Autonomous Weapons Systems? A Proposed Definition for the CCWThis will be a panel discussion with various experts addressing the risks to international humanitarian, and human rights law, and to peace and security, arising from the development and use of Military AI in autonomous weapons systems.
Organized by The Civilian Agenda
13:00-15:00H-207-208-209
AUGUST SIDE-EVENTS
26
August 2024
Legal Review and LAWSThis side-event aims to offer insight into one specific facet of compliance with IHL, best practices and approaches to conducting legal reviews. It will provide the best practices identified and approaches taken by various States. Representatives from France, Japan and Brazil will discuss how they approach the legal review of weapons, means and methods and warfare in their national processes and consider how these processes may apply to autonomous weapon systems.
Organized by the Permanent Mission of France to the Conference on Disarmament
13:15-14:45Room XXIII
27
August2024
Interfaith Dialogue on Killer Robots: A faith-based perspective on lethal autonomous weapons systemsThe side event will be hosted by the inter-faith group of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, and will provide an opportunity for an Interfaith Dialogue on Killer Robots, with speakers from different faiths presenting their perspectives of the challenges of the development of autonomous weapons.
13:15-14:45Room XXIII
28
August2024
What Works to Tackle Biases in Artificial Intelligence? Ideas for the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons SystemsThe Permanent Missions of Canada, Germany and Ireland and the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) invite you to an interactive, in-person side event to discuss how to tackle the problem of biases, especially on the basis of gender and race, in military application of artificial intelligence (AI) such as Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS).
Concrete suggestions to resolve or at least mitigate these biases are under-studied and under-discussed, especially vis-a-vis challenges in the context of military applications of AI. This side event will bring together experts and practitioners to discuss options for addressing inequalities and ensuring that military AI does not introduce, perpetuate, or amplify gender and racial biases. Panelists will also suggest ideas to incorporate these considerations into the discussions at the GGE on LAWS.
The event will also mark the launch of UNIDIR’s new Factsheet on Gender and LAWS, with data and analysis related to gender considerations in LAWS.
13:15-14:45Room XXIII
29
August2024
The Experiences in the Regional Workshop held in the run up to the REAIM 2024 SummitOn 29th of August, please join the side event in the margin of the GGE on LAWS, titled “Experiences in the Regional Workshops held in the run up to REAIM 2024 Summit” to be held on 29 August, 2024, at 13:15-14:45, in Room XXIII, Palais des Nations co-hosted by Türkiye and Singapore.
A light lunch will be served before the event. We look forward to welcoming you to that event.
Speakers: Panel section -Permanent Representative of Türkiye, H.E. Ambassador Burak AKÇAPAR -Permanent Representative of Singapore, H.E. Ambassador Umej BHATIA -Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Netherlands, H.E. Ambassador Robert in den BOSCH -Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Ambassador Seongmee YOON -Permanent Representative of Chile, H.E. Ambassador Claudia Fuentes JULIO
Perspectives from the regional forecasting exercises and REAIM regional consultations - Developments on AI in the military domain at the UN and other fora -Singapore Ministry of Defence, Group Chief Policy & Strategy, Brigadier General Pak Shun NG (Global Commission REAIM Commissioner) -UNIDIR Head of Security and Technology Programme Mr. Giacomo Persi PAOLI -Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue Expert Adviser (AI and Emerging Technologies) Ms. Netta GOUSSAC
