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United Nations

General AssemblyDistr.: General
16 July 2021
Original: English

Seventy-sixth session
Item 103 of the provisional agenda*
Review of the implementation of the recommendations anddecisions adopted by the General Assembly at its tenthspecial session

United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research
Note by the Secretary-General
The Secretary-General hereby transmits to the General Assembly the report of
the Director of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) on
the activities of the Institute for the period from January to December 2020, theInstitute’s approved programme of work and financial plan for 2021 and the Institu te’s
proposed programme of work and financial plan for 2022.
The Board of Trustees of UNIDIR reviewed the report and approved theprogramme of work and financial plans at the seventy-sixth session of the Advisory
Board on Disarmament Matters, held on 17 June 2021 in a virtual session.
The Board welcomed the report of the Director, which provided a thoroughaccount of the Institute’s activity in 2020. The Board commended UNIDIR for its
performance in 2020, the year that marked the Institute’s fortieth ann iversary. In
particular, the Board noted that despite the significant disruptions caused by thecoronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, UNIDIR had issued a record-breaking
number of publications and events, with some 7,600 participants taking part in theInstitute’s activities. The Board also noted the continued improvement in theInstitute’s financial situation.
The Board welcomed General Assembly resolution 75/82 on UNIDIR, notably
the Assembly’s invitation to the Secretary-General to submit, in the context of the2022 programme budget, a proposal for an increase in the subvention to the Institute.
The Board reiterated its long-standing recommendation that the Institute’s subvention
be increased in proportion to its contemporary requirements and in line with therecommendations of the Secretary-General in his report of July 2018 (A/73/284).
Moving forward, Board members reiterated their appreciation of the I nstitute’s
efforts to engage broader and more diverse audiences globally, including the public
and youth. These efforts should continue, and should include strengthened
communication and education, training and capacity -building initiatives. In addition,
Board members encouraged the Institute to consider developing foresight capacities,
as well as research on the nexus between arms control and development issues.
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Finally, Board members reiterated the need for the Institute to strengthen its resource
mobilization efforts in order to equip itself with the funding basis necessary tomaintain and further expand its scope and impact.

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Report of the Director of the United Nations Institute for
Disarmament Research on the activities of the Institute forthe period from January to December 2020, the approved
programme of work and financial plan for 2021 and the
proposed programme of work and financial plan for 2022
Summary
The present report covers the activities and financial status of the United Nations
Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) for the period from January to
December 2020, the Institute’s approved programme of work and financial plan for2021 and the Institute’s proposed programme of work and financial plan for 2022. It
was prepared in accordance with General Assembly resolution 39/148 H, in which theAssembly invited the Director of UNIDIR to report annually to it.
UNIDIR is an autonomous institution within the framework of the United
Nations, established by the General Assembly for the purpose of undertaking
independent research on disarmament, arms control and international security issues.
For over 40 years, the Institute has provided evidence-based research and policy
options to support Member States, United Nations entities, and expert, industry andcivil society stakeholders in advancing practical measures that contribute to a morestable, secure and sustainable world. It is a key implementing partner of the initiativeof the Secretary-General, Securing Our Common Future: An Agenda for
Disarmament.
During 2020, the world witnessed heightened tensions between several nucleararmed States, the further weaponization of outer space and new types of digital arms
races, as well as violence and human suffering caused by poorly regulated or illicit
small arms. At the same time, in a year that saw further increases in global militaryspending, multilateral action on key disarmament issues remained stymied,illustrating the gap between the promise and the practice of multilateral disarmament
today. In such a year of growing global mistrust, arms control and disarmamentremained urgent priorities on the international peace and security agenda.
UNIDIR plays a unique and vital role in multilateral disarmament. The
Institute’s current research agenda, endorsed by its Board of Trustees, is aimed at
identifying pathways to reinvigorate multilateral arms control and disarmament in theface of a challenging international political and security environment. In 2020, theGeneral Assembly, in its resolution 75/82 on UNIDIR, considered the continuing needfor the international community to have access to ind ependent and in-depth researchon security issues and prospects for disarmament and non-proliferation, andrecognized the importance, the timeliness and the high quality of the work of theInstitute.
Demonstrating its resilience, in 2020, UNIDIR swiftly adapted to the global
coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and made further enhancements to its
operating model. As a result, UNIDIR publications increased from 42 in 2019 to an
all-time high of 52 in 2020. The Institute also convened a record -breaking 48 eventswith over 7,500 participants, which represented a 50 per cent increase compared with
the number of events held in 2019 and a nearly 400 per cent increase in participants.
The Institute’s innovative digital formats, as well as the fact that more t han 25 of its
reports were translated into other languages, helped the Institute further enhance theaccessibility and impact of its research outputs worldwide.

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UNIDIR undertook research on a broad range of disarmament issues. Its coreprogrammes of work remained conventional arms, weapons of mass destruction andother strategic weapons, security and technology, and gender and disarmament,
together with a special project on the process for a Middle East zone free of weaponsof mass destruction. New areas studied in 2020 included emerging biological threats
and the risks and benefits of new technologies, as well as the interlinkages among
security, arms control, conflict prevention and peacebuilding. This work is enabledby the voluntary support of a diverse group of partners. That support, together withthe continued strengthening of the Institute’s structure and its operating and financial
models in recent years, allowed UNIDIR to further expand its policy -oriented
research and outreach activities.
At the same time, given that UNIDIR depends almost entirely on voluntary
contributions, the pandemic’s lasting economic impact and its drastic effects on thevoluntary funding environment present a challenge to the Institute. In an era of rapidtransformation and global volatility, where there is a growing need for theinternational community to have access to independent, in-depth and forward-looking
research on disarmament and global security issues, significant steps remain toestablish a more stable and sustainable financial foundation for the Institute in orderto support its mission of working towards a stable and more secure world.

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I. Introduction
1.
In 2020, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)
marked its fortieth anniversary amid an unprecedented global health crisis and in atime of great disruption. The year witnessed heightened tensions between several
nuclear-armed States and new types of digital arms races across scientific, economic
and military sectors, as well as violence and human suffering caused by poorly
regulated or illicit small arms. All of this was exacerbated by the coronavirus disease(COVID-19) pandemic. In such a year of growing global mistrust, disarmament andarms control remained key priorities of the international peace and security agenda.
2.
At the same time, multilateral action on key disarmament issues remained
stymied, illustrating the gap between the promise and the practice of multilateraldisarmament today. As the established arms control and disarmament architecture
comes under increasing pressure, new arms races are filling the void. Unpredictability
and uncertainty prevail in today’s volatile global security environment, increasing therisk of escalatory dynamics and conflict. If anything, 2020 has shown that the needfor a new vision for disarmament, such as that laid out in 2018 in the initiative of theSecretary-General, Securing our Common Future: An Agenda for Disarmament, hasonly grown in urgency and importance.
3.
UNIDIR plays a unique and vital role in multilateral disarmament. The
Institute’s research, analysis and convening activities aim at supporting theinternational community in identifying pathways to reinvigorate multilateral arms
control and disarmament in the face of a challenging international political andsecurity environment. All of these activities are enabled by voluntary funding from
Member States and other actors. Over the past three years, based on a multi -year
research agenda and new interdisciplinary work programmes, UNIDIR has
continuously expanded the scope, impact and scale of its research, outreach andcapacity-building activities. It has built in-depth expertise and ensured sustained
multi-stakeholder engagement on a diverse range of disarmamen t and security issues.
What is more, UNIDIR traditionally provides sustained, often discreet, technicalsupport to States and multilateral bodies while facilitating the inclusive, transparent
dialogue among disarmament stakeholders, both State and non-State, that is essential
to progress in formal settings. On the occasion of its fortieth anniversary, the General
Assembly, in its resolution 75/82, recognized the importance, the timeliness and thehigh quality of the work of the Institute. At the same time, the Advisory Board on
Disarmament Matters, acting in its capacity as the Institute’s Board of Trustees,“welcomed the efforts UNIDIR had made in 2019 to diversify its research and ensure
its operational and financial sustainability”. The Board also commended UNIDIR for
its efforts over the previous 18 months to enhance its functions, noting that “theInstitute was making a tangible contribution and bringing added value to Member
States” (A/75/283, para. 53).
4.
If anything, the COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored the international
community’s growing need and demand for independent, evidence-based research,collaborative multi-stakeholder dialogues and innovative thinking that can support
multilateral efforts in addressing some of world’s most pressing global security
challenges.

II. Programme of work
A.

Performance and status of implementation of activities in 2020

1.

Research agenda and programmes
5.
In 2020, UNIDIR continued to implement the multi-year strategic research
agenda endorsed by its Board of Trustees (see A/74/247), expanding the scope of its

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activity across a range of diverse disarmament and global security issues. The agenda
is aimed at providing proactive and responsive policy research on diverse
disarmament issues to support Member States, United Nations entities, regionalorganizations and research and industry stakeholders in taking practical action tostrengthen international peace and security and the governance of weapons of all
types. It reflects the priorities set out in the Secretary-General’s Agenda for
Disarmament, in which UNIDIR is a key implementing partner. A core objective of
the strategic research agenda is to contribute to efforts to integrate disarmamentacross the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and t o ensure thatknowledge, ideas and dialogue on disarmament are accessible to a global audience,
including young people and policymakers.
6.
UNIDIR pursues four core programmes of work: (a) conventional arms;(b) weapons of mass destruction and other strategic weapons; (c) security andtechnology; and (d) gender and disarmament. As part of a special regional project, theInstitute also explores past efforts and prospects for a Middle East zone free of
weapons of mass destruction. The Institute’s programmes are designed as dynamic,
multi-year scalable work streams that enable it to reflect the disarmament priorities
of a diverse international community. They allow UNIDIR to deliver cutting -edge
research in a dynamically evolving global security environment. Mo reover, given
their interdisciplinary and cross-cutting set-up, they allow exploration of theramifications and broader linkages among disarmament, security, crisis prevention
and sustainable development.
7.
Throughout the year, the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the Institute’s
ability to implement its planned activities. In the words of the Board of Trustees, theInstitute’s “continued and, in some cases, enhanced service delivery during the periodof lockdown demonstrated the Institute’s increased capacity and resilience”(A/75/283, para. 59) as it responded and adapted to the new realities. For example, atthe outset of the pandemic, UNIDIR swiftly shifted to online modes of working,established a risk assessment framework to guide its activities, and reached out todonors to mitigate implementation and financial challenges. In the face of restrictions
on travel and events, UNIDIR scaled up its online offerings and virtual modes ofmulti-stakeholder engagement, and it continued and in some instances enhanced
service delivery and boosted its research outputs. As a result, the number ofpublications increased from 42 in 2019 to an all-time high of 52 in 2020 (see annex I).
Innovative digital formats, as well as the fact that more than 25 of its reports weretranslated into other languages, helped UNIDIR further enhance the accessibility andimpact of its research outputs worldwide. Key research activities and policy impacts
in 2020 are set out in detail below for each of the five main programmatic areas.
Conventional arms
8.
Patterns of armed violence and conflict are evolving, as are the methods of illicit
proliferation and misuse of conventional arms. The Institute’s conventional arms
programme engages with States, the United Nations and the international security
expert community to prevent the uncontrolled proliferation and misuse of
conventional weapons. It does this by analysing the links between conventional arms
control on the one hand and conflict prevention, peace and development on the other.
In 2020, the programme pursued three research priorities which aimed at:(a) strengthening policy and practice on weapon and ammunition management;(b) integrating conventional arms control into conflict prevention and peacemaking;and (c) exploring how arms control tools can help prevent and mitigate the impact of
the urbanization of violence. A continuous feature of the programme is its appliedfield and country-level research, which contributes to national, regional and United

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Nations operations and initiatives, as well as its provision of advisory support to thework of multilateral disarmament bodies.
9.
Weapons and ammunition management plays a key role in conflict prevention,
security transition and counter-terrorism strategies. In 2020, the programme
continued its in-country advisory support to the Federal Government of Somalia in
its efforts to develop a national strategy for weapons and ammunition management.
The Institute’s improvised explosive device self-assessment tool, which wasdeveloped in response to a request by the General Assembly in its resolution 73/67,
is designed to help States evaluate their capabilities to prevent and mitigate
improvised explosive devices. It was used by national and international experts toreview counter-improvised explosive device strategies in Somalia, Spain and Yemen.
The programme also produced a handbook to support the capacity of national
authorities in documenting and profiling illicit ammunition.
10. As part of a strategic research partnership with the Stimson Center, ConflictArmament Research and the Small Arms Survey, two key UNIDIR publications
promoted knowledge of ways in which States can better identif y, monitor and mitigate
diversion risks within the framework of the Arms Trade Treaty. In 2021, the research
partnership will conduct a series of case studies to identify ways to strengthen sharedunderstanding among States parties to the Treaty of the imp act of the Arms Trade
Treaty in addressing risks of diversion in arms transfers.
11. UNIDIR provides enhanced knowledge and expertise on practical ways in whichconventional arms control can be better integrated into conflict prevention andpeacemaking. In 2020, the programme produced a featured article in support of theSecretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire. It also convened a series of virtual
community-of-practice workshops on ways to enhance the integration of conventionalarms control across the United Nations system. In 2021, the programme will produce
a series of thematic papers focusing on practical ways to better integrate arms -relatedrisks into the conflict analysis frameworks of the United Nations.
12. Exploring ways to adapt arms control to new environments, focusing
specifically on mitigating and preventing civilian harm in urban settings, is anothercore area of research pursued by the Institute. In 2020, this work took on new urgency
in the light of the combined humanitarian impact of armed conflicts and the
COVID-19 pandemic. Key activities in 2020 included a regional military -to-military
dialogue on explosive weapons in populated areas in the context of multilateral andregional operations in East Africa. This generated a series of recommendations to
reduce civilian harm, which were captured in a research brief released in the marginsof the Security Council debate on the protection of civilians. In 2021, the programme
will continue its work on ways and methods to better identify and measure thereverberating effects of explosive weapons in populated areas.
13. Following the devastating explosion in Beirut in August 2020, UNIDIR, in
consultation with safety and security experts, produced a dedicated study on ways tobetter reduce the safety and security risks of explosive precursors. This underlined
the Institute’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances and provide expertise on
sudden events.
Weapons of mass destruction and other strategic weapons
14. The Institute’s weapons of mass destruction and other strategic weapons
programme pursues research across five work streams: (a) identifying nuclear risk reduction measures; (b) exploring new approaches to verification in nuclear
disarmament; (c) strengthening compliance and enforcement of existing regimes;(d) improving space security; and (e) recrafting nuclear disarmament and strategicarms control. In the current climate of growing geopolitical tension, interest in the
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programme’s work was high throughout the year, with more than 8,600 downloads of
relevant UNIDIR reports from over 70 countries.
15. Identifying ways to reduce the risk of the use of nuclear weapons is a core areaof research at UNIDIR. In 2020, amid uncertainty about the fate of the 2010 Tre aty
between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for
the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START
Treaty) and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the programme focused on
concrete contextual analysis and targeted policy recommendations to reduce nuclear
risks. The results were published in the Institute’s major multi -author study, Nuclear
Risk Reduction: Closing Pathways to Use, which received significant interest andpositive feedback from Member States. The Institute’s risk-reduction work waspresented in diverse policy and academic settings, including at the Conference on
Disarmament, the Working Party on Non-Proliferation of the Council of the European
Union, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization. Moreover, organizations such as the International Committee of the
Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies andthe Regional Forum of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations used the Institute’s
typology of nuclear risk.
16. Verifying nuclear disarmament is a key challenge for any future nuclear
disarmament process. UNIDIR, building on its long-standing expertise in this area,
has shifted its conceptual focus towards new approaches to overcoming practicalchallenges in complex verification settings. In 2020, the Institute’s research
culminated in an important study proposing an arrangement for a verified freeze on
fissile material production on the Korean Penin sula. Concepts developed under thiswork stream have been taken up in a variety of multilateral settings, as well as byexpert preparatory groups, and have resulted in follow -up policy briefs, presentations
and citations in expert media.
17. Strengthening compliance with and enforcement of weapons of mass
destruction-related regimes is another focus area of this programme. Between its
initiation in mid-2019 and the end of 2020, this cross-cutting work stream had
produced a series of nine reports covering compliance and enforcement in the nuclear,chemical and biological weapon regimes as well as on arms control arrangements
between the Russian Federation and the United States. The reports were downloaded
more than 1,800 times and received positive feedback from State representatives,
including members of the First Committee of the General Assembly.
18. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and in the run-up to the ninth Review
Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of theDevelopment, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin
Weapons and on Their Destruction, UNIDIR scaled up its work on the biologicalweapons regime. It briefed States parties on issues related to advances in science andtechnology and the prospects for institutional strengthening of the Convention. In
2021, UNIDIR will produce and promote new thinking on forward -looking tools andapproaches to enhance compliance and enforcement in the weapons of mass
destruction regimes and related areas, such as the Secretary-General’s Mechanism for
Investigation of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons.
19. Space security is another core area of inquiry and one where UNIDIR has long standing expertise. As outer space is becoming increasingly congested, contested andcompetitive, research in this field is increasingly in demand. In 2020, the Institute’s
work and engagement made a significant contribution to the emergent discourse in
the First Committee on ways to enhance space security. The Institute’s e vent on space
situational awareness and verification, co-organized with the Secure WorldFoundation, was attended by 280 participants. In 2021, UNIDIR will build awareness
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and understanding of options for enhancing space security and further explore theinterplay between the counter-space and missile technological domains.
20. As part of its work on the future of nuclear disarmament and strategic arms
control, UNIDIR has initiated a dialogue on nuclear disarmament, nuclear deterrence
and strategic arms control with a group of 40 senior experts from around the world.
Over the course of 2020, the group identified means to overcome the current politicalpolarization in nuclear diplomacy and refocus attention on shared incentives torevitalize efforts to reduce reliance on nuclear weapons in spite of the difficult
strategic environment. In 2021, this group will develop practical recommendations
for strategic arms control and nuclear disarmament in the lead -up to important
upcoming events, including the Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty
on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Security and technology
21. The Institute’s security and technology programme is designed to dynamically
respond to the accelerating pace and scale of technological change, exploring its
implications for international peace, security and development. In 2020, theprogramme pursued three work streams focusing on: (a) cyberstability; (b) the
implications of artificial intelligence and autonomy in weapon sy stems and othermilitary applications; and (c) the security implications, positive and negative, ofrecent and over-the-horizon innovations in science and technology. The Institute’s
support for the development and implementation of multilateral norms on r esponsible
and safe policy and practice is a distinct feature of this programme.
22. Escalating cyberincidents in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic have once
again brought digital vulnerabilities to the fore, underscoring the relevance andurgency of the Institute’s work in the area of cyberstability. In 2020, the Institute
updated its Cyber Policy Portal, a global confidence- and capacity-building tool
aimed at improving the management of cybercrises. The Portal was visited by users
from 206 States and territories and was extensively referenced and endorsed byseveral Member States in the context of the Open-ended Working Group on
Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context ofInternational Security. UNIDIR also published a substantive report, Supply Chain
Security in the Cyber Age, together with a supplementary technical compendium
focusing on sector trends, current threats and multi-stakeholder responses. In
addition, it organized a series of webinars and multi-stakeholder dialogues focusing
on vulnerability disclosure, critical infrastructure protection and public -private
cooperation in norm implementation. In 2021, UNIDIR will continue to support theoperationalization of cybernorms through a combination of multi-stakeholder
dialogues and research reports and will devote a series of research activities to theissue of the prevention and management of cyberconflicts.
23. Another major line of inquiry is on the implications of artificial intelligence andautonomy in weapon systems, other military applications and decision-making
processes. In 2020, the Institute launched a new series of virtual regional tabletop
exercises exploring the role of human control in decisions regarding the use of force.
It published three major reports on the black box conundrum, swarm robotics (alsoavailable in French and Spanish) and modernizing arms control in relation toapplications beyond artificial intelligence-enabled weapon systems. As in previous
years, the Institute’s work in the area of lethal autonomous weapon systems was
widely referenced in Member States’ statements during sessions of the Group ofGovernmental Experts on Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous
Weapons Systems. In 2021, UNIDIR will continue to support multilateral discussion
on the security implications of artificial intelligence and autonomy through a series

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A/76/175of reports and events exploring the technical, military and legal or governance aspectsof this technology.
24. The programme’s third, future-oriented work stream explores the security
dimensions, risks and benefits of innovations in sciences and technology. In 2020, allof the activities under this work stream focused on the theme of innovations in thelife sciences and their implications for international security. Starting with atechnology breakfast event that focused on nanomaterials, the theme was further
explored through a research report on the most relevant technological advancementsin the field of life sciences. In addition, this theme was the subject of one of theInstitute’s annual flagship events, the Innovations Dialogue, which gathered, in a
virtual format, more than 20 speakers and 600 participants from around the world. In
2021, this work stream will focus on a selection of digita l technologies under thetheme of “digital instability”.
Gender and disarmament
25. The Institute’s programme on gender and disarmament seeks to assist
policymakers and researchers in bridging gender and disarmament frameworks. Its
two goals are to: (a) achieve gender equality in multilateral disarmament forums, inline with the goals set out in the Agenda for Disarmament (actions 36 and 37); and(b) support the incorporation of gender perspectives and analyses into arms control
and disarmament processes. An important vehicle for the pursuit of those policy
objectives is the International Gender Champions Disarmament Impact Group,
co-chaired by Canada, Ireland, Namibia, the Philippines and UNIDIR, which
promotes dialogue, shares knowledge and advances gender-responsive action in
multilateral disarmament forums.
26. To promote gender equality and support women’s participation in arms control
and disarmament, the programme organized a regional workshop in Africa on gender
perspectives in arms control and disarmament. National officials and experts from 15
African States attended the meeting in Uganda. The programme also engaged insimilar activities carried out by relevant institutions in the disarmament field, such as
the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which in 2020 stepped up
its efforts to advance gender equality by conducting a gender and diversity audit andby organizing a series of internal meetings as well as public discussions.
27. Marking the twentieth anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000)
on women and peace and security, the programme launched the report Connecting the
Dots: Arms Control, Disarmament and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, which
proposed an original approach to gender-responsive arms control and disarmament
measures. In collaboration with several Member States, civil society organizations,the International Gender Champions Disarmament Impact Group and the United
Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women),the Institute also co-hosted a high-level side event ahead of the Security Council open
debate on women and peace and security. In addition, the programme produced aseries of short videos with subtitles in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian andSpanish, highlighting best practices in gender-responsive arms control, which wereviewed 5,800 times.
28. In 2020, the programme launched a pioneering research project to propose
elements of possible gender approaches to cybersecurity. Findings were presented ina research report and discussed during a side event at the Informal Multi -stakeholder
Cyber Dialogue series #LetsTalkCyber, co-organized by UNIDIR, the Women’s
International League for Peace and Freedom, Canada and Chile. The programme also
analysed the gendered impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and developed guidance

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for gender-responsive public health policies that was disseminated and discussed
during a webinar on gender, biological weapons and COVI D-19.
29. In 2021, the programme will continue to advance women’s participation andagency in arms control and disarmament by conducting new research about gender
patterns in professions related to weapons and ammunition management. In addition,
the programme will explore the applicability of gender analysis to security
technology, such as cybersecurity and military systems supported by artificial
intelligence. Together with the International Gender Champions Disarmament Impact
Group, the programme will continue to organize gender briefing meetings tailored toaddress multilateral arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament processes.
Project on a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East
30. The Institute’s project on a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the
Middle East was formally launched at a side event at the First Committee in October
2019, with the support of the European Union. The project examines the historicalchronology as well as perspectives and prospects for such a zone. Long-standing
divisions on the issue, as well as rivalries and deep mistrust among States of theregion, have further diminished policy research and attention on cooperation
initiatives to reduce proliferation challenges. However, withou t such initiatives, theprospects for conflict and instability within the region and beyond will only grow.
31. The project pursues four overarching goals: (a) to produce a chronologicalnarrative of efforts to establish a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the
Middle East and identify lessons for future efforts; (b) to build analytical capacity tosupport new thinking on regional security issues and a zone free of weapons of mass
destruction in the Middle East; (c) to collate ideas and develop new proposals on how
to move forward on the issue; and (d) to foster inclusive dialogue and solicit regional
perspectives, including through engaging relevant officials and experts in a series ofworkshops and fact-finding dialogues in States of the Middle East.
32. In 2020, the project launched an online document depository containing morethan 400 key documents, several of which were published for the first time. The
repository serves as a publicly accessible knowledge hub for the development to dateof the process for a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. In
2021, these documents will be linked to an interactive online timeline mapping key
milestones in the history of the zone initiative. The timeline will be available in
Arabic, English, Hebrew and Persian.
33. Regional dialogue is a central component of this project. In 2020, the project
held four events, which attracted more than 500 participants, indicating a high levelof interest from within the region and beyond. Project staff participated in andcontributed to more than 11 events and regularly briefed and consulted with States of
the region and relevant entities of the United Nations system entities, including the
Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit and the International
Atomic Energy Agency. To consider the way the zone issue can be addressed during
the Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non -Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons, the project published in April 2020 a conference report on thepathways forward for a process to achieve a zone free of weapons of mass destructionin the Middle East. A project paper on the ways and means by which nuclear-weaponfree zones contribute to regional peace, stability and other political objectives waspresented at a workshop organized by the Office for Disarmament Affairs that
included more than 80 participants from the Middle East. Throughout the year the
project conducted interviews with more than 50 officials and experts from the region,
the three depositary States of the Treaty, the United Nations and the European Union
to outline the themes, issues and debates underlying discussions of a zone free of
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weapons of mass destruction in the region. In 2021, the project will work to identify
key issues, opportunities, obstacles and ideas of relevance to the consideration of theestablishment of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East andin support of efforts to enhance regional security cooperation. The project will publish
a policy paper on nuclear verification in a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass
destruction, an essay collection on lessons learned from the Joint Comprehensive Planof Action for the Middle East zone process and an edited collection of essays on
regional perspectives, drivers and objectives for the zone.
2.

Knowledge and advisory support
34. Knowledge and advisory support lie at the heart of the Institute’s mission.
Throughout 2020, demand for the Institute’s technical analysis, expertise andknowledge support continued to grow. The Institute actively supported the United
Nations disarmament machinery and regularly engaged multiple United Nations
partners and regional organizations. UNIDIR staff continued to provide expertise andsupport to the Conference on Disarmament at the request of the respective presidents.
Under the presidency of Argentina, UNIDIR delivered a presentation on women’s
participation and gender perspectives in disarmament. On that occasion, the Argentine
Presidency issued a “non-paper” with ideas to improve gender balance in the
Conference on Disarmament. UNIDIR organized 11 side events at the seventy -fifthsession of the General Assembly. These provided insights and ideas on issues on theagenda of the First Committee, including on nuclear risk reduction and technologicalopportunities to enhance compliance with weapons of mass destruction treaties.
Together with the International Gender Champions Disarmament Impact Group,
UNIDIR worked to promote gender perspectives in the First Comm ittee.
35. In 2020, UNIDIR provided substantive input and support to the newly
established Group of Governmental Experts on problems arising from theaccumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus. It also continued tosupport the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Tradein Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects and the Convention on Certain
Conventional Weapons. UNIDIR continued to provide technical support to theparallel processes established by the General Assembly: the Open-Ended Working
Group on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in theContext of International Security (see resolution 73/27) and the Group ofGovernmental Experts on Advancing Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace in
the Context of International Security (see resolution 73/266). UNIDIR, in close
cooperation with the Office for Disarmament Affairs, advis ed the two Chairs,
produced background papers, offered briefings, synthesized inputs from nationaldelegations and produced multiple iterations of the draft negotiation texts. In the caseof autonomous weapon systems, 2020 was characterized by limited oppo rtunities forformal discussions in the context of the Group of Governmental Experts on Emerging
Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems. The work of theInstitute on these issues was of key importance to maintaining momentum and inte restin the topics. The provision of United Nations regular budget resources for groups ofgovernmental experts consultancies is the only source of dedicated financial support
for such knowledge and advisory services.
36. The Institute provided expert briefings, technical assistance and substantive
background knowledge and research on a diverse range of disarmament, arms control
and security issues, including on the threats and benefits of digital technologies andtransformations; women and peace and security; weapons of mass destruction; outerspace; the mitigation of civilian harm caused by explosive weapons; and the various
linkages between arms control and wider United Nations initiatives in the areas ofpeace, security, human rights and sustainable development. In doing so, the Institute

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continued to expand its network and to explore collaborative initiatives andopportunities with United Nations partners such as the Department of Peace
Operations, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, t he Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Office of the United Nations HighCommissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Development Programme,
UN-Women, the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit, theCounter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate and the World HealthOrganization.
37. In partnership with the African Union, UNIDIR convened a lessons -learned
seminar on ways to strengthen the policy and practice of weapons and ammunition
management in Africa in the context of the African Union initiative “Silencing theGuns by 2020”. This event let to the publication of 10 country insight reports on
African States and led the Commission of the Economic Community of West African
States and the African Union to utilize national weapons and ammunition
management baseline assessments as a practical tool in support of their efforts toaddress illicit small arms and light weapons. Furthermore, at the request of the
Chairperson of the Forum for Security Cooperation of the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), UNIDIR briefed the second Biennial Meeting toAssess the Implementation of the OSCE Documents on Small Arms and Light
Weapons and Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition.
38. In 2020, the General Assembly underlined “the contribution that the Institutemakes and should continue to make in the field of disarmament and non -proliferation
education in all regions of the world” (see resolution 75/82). The Institute’s annual
disarmament orientation course for newly arrived diplomats in Geneva, designed andjointly presented by UNIDIR and the Geneva branch of the Office for Disarmament
Affairs, was delivered to 41 delegates from around the world in an innov ative virtual
format as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The course consisted of six thematic
online modules, each combining introductory videos and 90-minute interactive online
videoconferences that involved a diverse range of experts and representative s fromvarious backgrounds. As in previous years, the course received positive feedback
from participating diplomats and permanent missions. It will be repeated annually,
subject to funding. UNIDIR staff continued to lecture at and participate in a wide
range of training events around the world and provided regular briefings to visiting
scholars, government officials and student groups in Geneva. The virtual nature ofthese events enhanced the Institute’s global impact. For example, UNIDIR staff
contributed to lectures of the online courses of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy
on leadership in international security and on building capacities for effective
implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty; they participated in a senior leaderstabletop exercise on catastrophic biological risks organized by the Nuclear Threat
Initiative at the Munich Security Conference; and they joined a virtual conversation
hosted by the Matías Romero Institute in Mexico City.
3.

Dialogue activities
39. The Institute’s status as an autonomous institution within the United Nations
framework allows it to exercise a unique convening function. The Institute serves asa platform for inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogues and as a hub for the exchange ofknowledge and ideas. Its events bring together State representatives, civil society andindustry representatives, as well as experts and researchers from various disciplinaryand geographical backgrounds, to discuss a wide and diverse range of disarmamentand global security issues.
40. In 2020, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Institute successfully
piloted innovative approaches to the organization and delivery of online multi stakeholder events and stepped up its repertoire of virtual interactive and p ractice-21-09961

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A/76/175oriented formats. As a result, in 2020 the Institute convened a record -breaking 48
events with more than 7,500 participants; this was a 50 per cent increase over thenumber of events held in 2019 and a nearly 400 per cent increase in participants. The
Institute’s events and activities included a new series of virtual regional tabletop
exercises to explore the role of the human element in autonomous weapon systems; aside event to a meeting of the Group of Governmental Experts on Emerging
Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems; the technology
breakfast series; a future-oriented multi-stakeholder dialogue focusing on emerging
technologies; a workshop on pathways forward for the process on a zone free of
weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East and the Tenth Review Conference of
the Non-Proliferation Treaty; a round table on the relevance of lessons learned fromthe Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in relation to the process of establishing a
Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction; and a regional workshop in
Uganda on gender perspectives in arms control and disarmament, with participantsfrom 15 African States. UNIDIR also convened a high-level bilateral arms control
event on the New START Treaty and beyond, a webinar on nuclear risk scenarios andan orientation workshop on the Biological Weapons Convention. In 2021, subject to
COVID-19-related travel and meeting restrictions, UNIDIR plans to gradually resume
in-person activities and to continue the expansion of regional events and activities.
41. UNIDIR convenes three annual flagship events: the space security andcyberstability conferences and the Innovations Dialogue. The 2020 cyberstability
conference explored the future of regular institutional dialogue. It was held for the
first time in a hybrid format, bringing together more than 60 participants in person
and over 250 participants online from around the world. The COVID -19 pandemic
forced an indefinite postponement of a face-to-face space security conference.
However, the Institute organized a successful series of four “Launch Pad” virtual
seminars on topics related to space security and missiles. The Innovations Dialogue
was inaugurated in 2019 following a request from the General Assembly (seeresolution 73/32). The 2020 Innovations Dialogue explored the risks and challenges
of innovations in the life sciences in the context of international security anddisarmament. It was held in a virtual format, with 600 participants from around theworld.
42. To address the future of nuclear arms control and disarmament, in 2020,
UNIDIR began work in a new format and launched the Disarmament, Deterrence andStrategic Arms Control Dialogue. Three interactive, online rou nd tables were held aspart of this innovative dialogue, bringing together 40 senior experts with diverse
views from around the world in a cooperative dialogue to identify and pursue sharedinterests in transcending today’s strategic confrontations. The di alogue aims at
helping to recraft bilateral, multiparty and multilateral arms control processes,
instruments and approaches.
4.

The Institute
43. UNIDIR further improved and consolidated its funding structure and operating
model, in line with the recommendations contained in the report of the SecretaryGeneral on the Institute (A/73/284). The General Assembly, in its resolution 75/82,
welcomed the increased level of research and activity of the Institute and the increasein the number and range of research publications and their relevance for multilateraldisarmament discussions, while reiterating its preoccupation over the unsustainablefinancing situation of the institutional operations budget of the Institute.
Staffing and operations
44. As a research institute, the ability of UNIDIR to attract and retain high -qualityand diverse research expertise from around the world is key to its mission. In 2020,

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UNIDIR continued to attract a diverse pool of high-quality researchers. Over thecourse of the year, the number of full-time personnel grew from 28 to 32, an increaseof 14 per cent. UNIDIR must also be sufficiently agile to respond to evolving researchneeds in a dynamic global security environment. To this end, as previously reported(see A/74/180 and A/75/134), in 2019, UNIDIR engaged the United Nations Officefor Project Services (UNOPS) as a service provider with a view to offering more
attractive and flexible consultant modalities through individual contractor
agreements.
45. UNIDIR intends to re-establish the position of Deputy Director in 2021, given
the Institute’s current size and the increased scale of activities. This will be financed
through savings arising from the abolishment of two posts at the P-5 level.
46. The Institute’s newly initiated visiting researcher programme focuses on
mid-career experts from around the world and aims at further expanding the Institute’s
diverse pool of researcher expertise. In 2020, the programme was affected by the
COVID-19 pandemic and visits had to be postponed until 2021. During the year,
UNIDIR enhanced its non-resident fellowship programme to include eight experts,
with experience on cybersecurity; space security; conventional arms; chemical,
biological, radiological and nuclear weapons; violence reduction; gender anddisarmament; and international disarmament law.
47. In 2020, UNIDIR launched a graduate professional programme that provides amodest stipend to enable young scholars to gain short-term, practical experience in a
multilateral policy environment. During the year, UNIDIR benefited from theinvaluable contributions of 17 graduate students.
48. In 2020, the Institute strengthened its budget, finance and grant-management
processes, including through the establishment of a new Fina nce, Budget andAdministration Team consisting of one Finance and Budget Officer (Team Lead) at
the P-4 level, one Finance and Budget Officer at the P-3 level and one Associate
Administrative Officer at the P-2 level. The Institute also strengthened its annual
budget-planning processes, quarterly budget reviews, monthly financial monitoring
practices and income-projection methodology. In addition, the Institute streamlined
its grant structure and enhanced its donor reporting.
49. The Institute’s location at the Palais des Nations in Geneva enables it to interact
regularly with disarmament processes and stakeholders and to maintain its active
convening role. Under the Institute’s new memorandum of understanding on costed
administrative support services with the United Nations Office at Geneva, service
provision costs, including rental expenses, totalled $295,451. Moreover, following
the recent request of the General Assembly on the matter of the Institute’s rental
expenses at the Palais des Nations (see resolution 75/82), the United Nations Officeat Geneva is now providing accommodation for the Institute at a reduced rateestablished to cover operational expenses only.
50. The agreement between UNIDIR and UNOPS provides for the timely issuanceof contracts by UNOPS to UNIDIR through the recruitment processes of UNOPS, or
following preselection by UNIDIR, and the administration of the issued contracts by
UNOPS. As at 31 December 2020, the total expenditure under the arrangement,
including personnel costs, was $3,163,290, of which $964,657 was delivered in 2019
and $2,198,633 in 2020.
51. UNIDIR measures the efficiency and effectiveness of its arrangement with
UNOPS on the basis of agreed timelines for the issuance of contracts and tickets fortravel, while also considering the accuracy and responsiveness of contract
administration. As at 31 December 2020, UNOPS had processed a total of 54

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contracts and extensions and had supported 117 personnel with travel withi n agreed
timelines.
Communications and outreach
52. The Institute’s efforts to increase its visibility and engagement with global
audiences through a redesigned website, innovative multimedia formats and a refinedsocial media strategy further enhanced the Institute’s global outreach and ensured
continued global interaction throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, website
visits increased by 125 per cent to a total of 660,000 site views from people based in
all Member States. With a 135 per cent increase in followers on Instagram and a 45
per cent increase on Twitter, the Institute further expanded its social media presence
and engagement. Investments in online communications have enabled UNIDIR tobetter monitor the impact of its work, including by tracking engagement, site views,
publication downloads and academic citations. That information complements theparticipant feedback and evaluations that the Institute now employs for events andwhich inform its donor reports.
53. In 2020, the 7,500 participants in the 48 events hosted by the Institute was nearlyfour times as many as in 2019. This increase reflects expanded audience reach owing
to the transition to virtual events as a result of the pandemic. UNIDIR also released
75 videos, a 97 per cent increase from 2019. These included longer-form
documentaries on such topics as swarm robotics, integrating arms control into thewomen and peace and security agenda, and weapon and ammunition management;
shorter analysis pieces on autonomous weapon systems, cyberspace and outer space;substantive “warm-up” videos for the Institute’s flagship conferences; and tailoredfilms on the Institute’s fortieth anniversary.
54. Easy access to the Institute’s increasingly multilingual research outputs andexpert analyses remains a priority for the Institute. Over 25 translations were issued
in 2020, including in Arabic, French, Hebrew, Persian and Spanish. The Institute’s 52
publications delved into subjects as varied as nuclear risk reduction, chemical andbiological weapons, autonomous weapon systems, swarm robotics, the establishmentof a weapons of mass destruction-free zone in the Middle East, explosive weapons inurban conflicts and gender issues related to cyberdiplomacy. With a continued focus
on practical tools, the Institute published a counter-improvised explosive device selfassessment tool for Member States, a handbook to profile small arms ammunition inarmed violence settings and a searchable document depository that collects andorganizes the main documents related to the evolution of the initiative for a weaponsof mass destruction-free zone in the Middle East, as well as short “explainers” onnanomaterials and on gender and chemical weapons.
55. In 2021, the Institute will continue to significantly b oost engagement on its
website and social media platforms. It will produce innovative publications,interactive tools and multimedia content, with a focus on more accessible content andtranslations. Outreach to media will be prioritized and the Institute’s digital presence
will aim at generating conversations with new audiences while identifying new
supporters and partners for the Institute’s research -oriented work.
Partnerships
56. In spite of the pandemic, UNIDIR continued to expand and strengthen i ts
partnerships, including within the United Nations, with regional and nationalorganizations and with the private sector. The Institute also continued to brief its
donors on its work and financial situation through biannual donor forums, and it
adopted guiding principles for its engagement with private sector and philanthropic
partners. In addition, the Institute continued to collaborate with a wide range of
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research institutes and scholars around the world on specific activities. For example,
it held a workshop in Cairo in cooperation with the Egyptian Council for Foreign
Affairs and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Secure WorldFoundation to formalize their long-standing partnership.
57. The Institute’s strategic partnership with the Office for Disarmament Affairs
was further enhanced and UNIDIR participated in United Nations inter -agency
processes on mine action, improvised explosive devices, biological risks andbiological weapons, small arms and light weapons, cyberissues, gender equality andgood practices, and lessons learned from existing nuclear-weapon-free zones.
58. In 2021, UNIDIR intends to deepen its collaboration within the United Nations
and with other multilateral partners while expanding its engagement with private
sector and philanthropic organizations. In part, this will be facilitated by the small
liaison presence to be established in New York. The Institute will also strengthen its
communication with the general public.
Resource mobilization
59. The number and diversity of Member State and private donors that contributed
generous financial support to UNIDIR in 2020 is shown in annex III, table 2. Effectivefrom the present report, UNIDIR is presenting donor contributions according to theyear in which they were made, rather than the year in which the agreements weresigned. This permits multi-year pledges signed in prior years to be reported in theyear of implementation, thereby better aligning contributions with the Institute’s
multi-year research programmes. It also makes the comparison of the total resources
available for the year with the total expenditure incurred for the implementation ofplanned activities more transparent and meaningful.
60. UNIDIR depends almost entirely on voluntary funding and continues to t ake
proactive measures to secure the requisite funding to implement its programme ofwork, including through significant resource mobilization efforts at both the Instituteand programme level. In 2020, although there was a slight reduction in the diversit yof donors, UNIDIR received sizeable contributions from new donors. While UNIDIR
has signed a number of multi-year funding agreements to cover operations until theend of 2021, in 2020 it did not sign any new multi-year agreements for programmatic
activities. Multi-year funding is critical to the Institute’s continued performance, as itenables investment in a sustained area of work and increases the potential for policy
impact and attracting and retaining staff and expertise. It also enables UNIDIR to
respond flexibly to developments in the international security environment and to
explore new or emerging trends and themes in a timely manner.
61. UNIDIR continues to face challenges stemming from the large share of its
contributions that are earmarked for specific purposes. In 2020, only 16 per cent ofdonor funds were unearmarked, allowing for their flexible use in institutional
activities or other emerging research areas. In this respect, and understanding thatUNIDIR relies almost entirely on voluntary funds, in 2020 the General Assembly
appealed to all Member States to continue to make financial contributions to theInstitute, if possible on a multi-annual basis, and strongly encouraged them tounearmark these contributions so as to contribute to the Institute’s viability,
independence and impartiality and the quality of its work over the long term (seeresolution 75/82).
62. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
recently recognized the Institute’s support towards the economic development andwelfare of developing countries. This made the Institute eligible for official
development assistance, which will allow UNIDIR to mobilize development -related
funding.
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5.

Resources and expenditures
63. As a trust fund of the United Nations, UNIDIR is financed through voluntary
contributions and a small subvention from the regular budget of the United Nations
towards the cost of the Director and staff.
64. With the generous support of 25 donors, total revenue for 2020 amounted to$6,851,217. Actual revenue for the first quarter of 2021 is also shown in annex III,
table 1. The difference between projected (A/75/134, annex IV) and actual voluntary
contributions reflects the small number of higher-than-expected contributions andnew donors. Approximately 84 per cent of total voluntary contributions received in2020 were earmarked for specific programmes or activities. The subventi on received
from the United Nations regular budget was $276,200 (see annex III, table 2). This
constituted only 4 per cent of the Institute’s total income in 2020.
65. In 2020, the General Assembly invited the Secretary-General to submit, in thecontext of the 2022 programme budget, a proposal for an increase in the subvention
to the Institute (see resolution 75/82). The Institute’s Board of Trustees also reiterated(A/75/283, para. 62) its long-standing recommendation that the Institute’s subvention
be increased in proportion to its contemporary requirements and in line with therecommendations of the Secretary-General in his report of July 2018 (see A/73/284).
66. The proposed regular budget resources for 2022 for the subvention for UNIDIR
amount to $645,600, an increase of $364,900, as called for by General Assembly
resolution 75/82. This increase will provide for one additional P-5 level position toassist the Director in all management and administrative functions; quarterly briefings
to all regional groupings on research ideas on relevant disarmament topics; and three
events in countries that are not members of OE CD to promote knowledge, ideas anddialogue on disarmament and non-proliferation to a broader and more diverse
community.
67. The Institute’s total expenditure in 2020 was $6,089,205 (see annex III, table 1).
Actual expenses for the first quarter of 2021 are also shown. Total expenditure in2020 was $441,000 higher than the Institute’s projections ( A/75/134, annex IV).
While travel and operating costs were lower than projected, total expenses werehigher given new research initiatives, including publications and events. This
included a related increase in personnel costs. Total expenditure in 2020 was,however, lower than total revenues.
68. Throughout the year, UNIDIR continued to closely monitor its financial
situation, not least to ensure that expenditure did not outpace revenue but also in thelight of the ongoing pandemic. This included a strengthened annual budgeting
process, provision of an annual cost plan to the United Nations Office at Geneva,
biannual financial briefings to its Board of Trustees and donor forum, quarterly
executive budget reviews with the Director of UNIDIR, monthly programme budget
reports to UNIDIR programme leads, weekly management meetings and strengthened
systems of internal control, financial processes and capacities.

III. Programme of work and financial plan for 2021
69. The programme of work for 2021 was approved by the Board of Trustees at its
meeting in June in 2020 (see A/75/283). It reflects the workplans of the Institute’s
research programmes, guided by three cross-cutting priorities: (a) strengthening
multilateral disarmament processes, including with a view to addressing theimplications of new technologies; (b) continued implementation of the SecretaryGeneral’s Agenda for Disarmament, with a focus on efforts to reduce the impact ofarms-related violence on civilians; and (c) expanding the Institute’s engagement in
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different regions of the world, including through inclusive and interactive online
formats. In support of these objectives, in 2021, UNIDIR will establish a small liaisonpresence at United Nations Headquarters in New York, consisting of one officer in
the Professional and higher category. The new capacity will support Member Statesand other partners with knowledge and ideas, and will help to facilitate inclusive
dialogue on arms control, disarmament and international security issues. In so doing,
it will facilitate engagement with and reinforce linkages betwee n UNIDIR-led
disarmament research, events and other activities in Geneva and New York.
70. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the Institute’s operations, travel andevents, and this will continue for at least the remainder of 2021. The Institute’s ability
to convene informal multi-stakeholder dialogues and conduct applied research has
also been affected. However, at the onset of the pandemic, the Institute quickly
activated business continuity arrangements and initiated a quarterly risk assessment
framework to enable the maintenance of research, publications, communications andadministrative activities. The Institute has also remained in close contact with donor
partners regarding the implementation and extension of agreements. In addition, it
has successfully adopted new online approaches, including for research, events andoutreach, facilitated by its strengthened communications capacity. UNIDIR has also
taken steps to ensure the well-being of its personnel, including through effort tomitigate physical risks, increased attention and support to mental health and well being, the application of flexible working arrangements and strengthened
multilayered communication throughout the Institute. As noted by its Board ofTrustees, the Institute’s “continued and, in some cases, enhanced service delivery
during the period of lockdown demonstrated the Institute’s increased capacity andresilience” (A/75/283, para. 59).
71. Moving forward, some of the Institute’s 2021 activities might require
modification, postponement or cancellation should pandemic -related restrictions
continue and should there be changes in the international disarmament calendar. To
ensure sustained high-quality research outputs and results-oriented management, theInstitute operates on the basis of a programme planning and review process that
includes continuous programme development, proactive work planning and quarterly
implementation reviews, as well as impact monitoring and reporting. New multi -year
workplans will be formulated in 2021 in order to collaborate with potential donors
for multi-year funding that covers the period from 2022 to 2025.
72. Revenue and expenses for 2021 and 2022 are based on an estimate of voluntary
contributions and an assessment of the institutional costs required to implement theagreed work programme and planned activities in 2021 and 2022. The projections
take into account established multi-year funding agreements for which disbursement
is expected in 2021 and 2022, as well as discussions that were under way with donors
in the first quarter of 2021. On that basis, the expenditure required to support the 2021
programme of work is projected to be $6,819,104, as shown in annex IV.
73. While resource-mobilization efforts will continue over the course of 2021,
including to broaden the Institute’s donor base, the economic implications of the
global COVID-19 pandemic for the financial resources of Member States and private
foundations are already severe. As a result, UNIDIR anticipates a decline in revenue
in 2021 and 2022. However, UNIDIR plans to draw on surpluses accumulated in prioryears to sustain activities at the current level until the end of 2022, while also
adjusting longer-term implementation in line with available resources. A request for
an increase in the Institute’s subvention from the regular budget, as noted above, iscurrently under review. The modest proposed increase is even more critical now, in
the light of the pandemic’s expected global economic and financial implications.

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IV. Conclusion
74. COVID-19 has revealed major cracks and systemic fragilities in the world. It isa stark reminder of how closely interconnected today’s global challenges and security
dilemmas are. But responses to the pandemic have also shown that far-reachingtransformations are possible when there are common goals, science-based targets andpolitical will. The lessons of COVID-19 are clear and go far beyond the current
pandemic: to deliver on the promise of a more secure world for people and the planet,a reinvigorated multilateral system, renewed commitments to international
cooperation and strengthened bonds of trust is needed.
75. In few areas is this more evident than in the field of disarmament and arms
control. In today’s deteriorating security environment, tensions and mistrust are on
the increase, which underscores the urgency of developing new means to restore
confidence between States and achieve arms control and disarmament progress. These
are the areas in which UNIDIR has concentrated its efforts. Historically, however,disarmament and arms control arrangements have often emerged from moments ofcrisis and great tension, and pathbreaking disarmament regimes have been achieved
under conditions of strain.
76. The Institute’s fortieth anniversary in 2020 presented an occasion to reflect on
its achievements over four decades and to consider the various ways in which anautonomous research institute – through impartial, evidence-based ideas andinclusive, diverse and collaborative working methods – can make impactful
contributions in support of States and the international community at large in working
towards a stable and more secure world.
77. In 2020, the General Assembly, in its resolution on UNIDIR, considered thecontinuing need for the international community to have access to independent andin-depth research on security issues and prospects for disarmament andnon-proliferation (see resolution 75/82). If anything, this need and the appetite for
new ideas has only grown in the wake of a global pandemic and unprecedented
existential challenges. In recent years, UNIDIR has significantly scaled up its
research activities and their impact, and the fact that resear ch outputs were further
increased during – and in spite of – the COVID-19 pandemic is testament to theInstitute’s increased resilience and performance. At the same time, the pandemic will
drastically affect the environment for voluntary funding, on which UNIDIR depends
almost entirely. Against this backdrop, significant steps remain to equip and enable
UNIDIR to contribute sustainably to the renewal of a truly global system of collective
security.

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Annex I*
Publications 2020
Conventional arms
• Addressing Conventional Arms Risks and Impacts to Prevent Conflict and Build
Peace: What More Should the United Nations Do?
• An Innovative Approach to United Nations Arms Embargoes• Conventional Ammunition Management: Gap Analysis (also available inFrench and Spanish)• Counter-IED Capability Maturity Model and Self-Assessment Tool (alsoavailable in Arabic, French and Spanish)• Handbook to Profile Small Arms Ammunition in Armed Violence Settings• Key Issues and Processes Pertinent to the Management of Conventional
Ammunition: Report of the Second Thematic Seminar ( also available inFrench)• Key Issues and Processes Pertinent to the Management of Conventional
Ammunition: Report of the Third Thematic Seminar (also available in Spanish)• Opportunities to Improve Military Policy and Practice to Reduce Civilian Harmfrom Explosive Weapons in Urban Conflicts: An Options Paper ( also available
in French)• Opportunities to Strengthen Military Policies and Practices to Reduce Civilian
Harm from Explosive Weapons: Food-for-Thought Paper (also available inFrench)• The Arms Trade Treaty: Measures to Prevent, Detect, Address and Eradicate theDiversion of Conventional Arms
• The Arms Trade Treaty: Obligations to Prevent the Diversion of Conventi onal
Arms (also available in Arabic and French)• The Beirut Port Explosion: Understanding Its Impact and How to Reduce Risks
from Explosive Precursors• Tracing Illicit Weapon Flows in Conflict and Security Transitions: A Case forManaging Recovered Weapons in Somalia• Urban Conflict and Targeting: A Special Problem for Protection• Weapons and Ammunition Management Country Insights Series, 10 -paper
series (three papers also available in French)• Weapon and Ammunition Management in Africa: Online Meeting Summary(also available in French)
Gender and disarmament• Connecting the Dots: Arms Control, Disarmament and the Women, Peace andSecurity Agenda (also available in French and Spanish)• Factsheet: Gender and Chemical Weapons* Annex I is being issued without formal editing and in the language of submission only. This list
excludes commentary pieces and shorter analysis pieces available on the UNIDIR website atwww.unidir.org.
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A/76/175• Gender and Disarmament Resource Pack (2020 edition)• Gender Perspectives in Arms Control and Disarmament: Views from Africa(also available in French)
Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction• Pathways Forward for the ME WMDFZ Process and 2020 NPT Review
Conference: Conference Report (also available in Arabic, Hebrew and Persian)• The Ways and Means in Which Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones Contribute to
Regional Peace, Stability and Other Political Objectives
Security and technology• Advances in Science and Technology in the Life Sciences• Cyber Stability Conference: Exploring the Future of Institutional Dialogue,
2020 Conference Report• Magnifying Nanomaterials• Modernizing Arms Control: Exploring Responses to the Use of AI in MilitaryDecision-Making• Robotic Swarms: Technical and Operational Overview of the Next Generationof Autonomous Systems• Supply Chain Security in the Cyber Age: Sector Trends, Current Threats andMulti-Stakeholder Responses• Swarm Robotics: Technical and Operational Overview of the Next Generationof Autonomous Systems (also available in French and Spanish)• The 2020 Innovations Dialogue: Life Sciences, International Security and
Dialogue, Conference Report• The Black Box, Unlocked: Predictability and Understandability in Military AI• The Human Element in Decisions about the Use of Force (also available inFrench and Spanish)
UNIDIR at 40• UNIDIR at 40 Anniversary Report• UNIDIR at 40 Anniversary Timeline
Weapons of mass destruction and other strategic weapons• A World Without the NPT Redux• Alternative Approaches and Indicators for the Prevention of an Arms Race inOuter Space (Space Dossier No. 5)• Ballistic Missile Defence and Outer
Interdependence (Space Dossier No. 6)

Space

Security:A

Strategic• Exploring the Future of WMD Compliance and Enforcement: Workshop Report• Freeze and Verify: Ending Fissile Material Production on the Korean Peninsula• IAEA Mechanisms to Ensure Compliance with NPT Safeguards (WMD
Compliance & Enforcement Series No. 2)• Is Past Prologue? Examining NPT Review Conference Commitments
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A/76/175• Nuclear Risk Reduction: Closing Pathways to Use• On “Great Power Competition” (Nuclear Risk Reduction Policy Brief No. 1)• Perceptions in the Euro-Atlantic (Nuclear Risk Reduction Policy Brief No. 3)• Science and Technology for WMD Compliance Monitoring and Investigations(WMD Compliance & Enforcement Series No. 8)• Strategic Technologies (Nuclear Risk Reduction Policy Brief No. 2)• The 2020 NPT Review Conference: Prepare for Plan B• The DPRK Nuclear Programme (Nuclear Risk Reduction Policy Brief No. 4)• The Logic of Nuclear Deterrence: Assessments, Assumptions, Uncertainties andFailure Modes (UNIDIR Nuclear Dialogue Series No. 3)• The Logic of Nuclear Disarmament (UNIDIR Nuclear Dialogue Series No. 2)• The Role of International Organizations in WMD Compliance and Enforcement:
Autonomy, Agency and Influence (WMD Compliance & Enforcement Series
No. 9)• The Strategic Context for Nuclear Disarmament, Deterrence and Strategic Arms
Control Dialogue (UNIDIR Nuclear Dialogue Series No. 1)

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Annex II
Explanatory note to financial annexes
All figures shown in annex III, with the exception of those for voluntary
contributions, are based on the statement of financial performance of the United
Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) for the year 2020. The United
Nations prepares financial statements in accordance with the International Public
Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
Under IPSAS, a voluntary contribution is recognized as revenue at the time its
supporting legal agreement becomes binding. In most cases, this is upon signature byboth parties. Starting from the present report, in the case of multi -year voluntary
contributions that are receivable in multiple instalments, UNIDIR will show each
instalment in the year in which it becomes available. The presentation by UNIDIR ofvoluntary contributions is fully reconciled with voluntary contributions as recorded
under IPSAS; the differences are explained in table 2 of annex III.
Details regarding terms used in the financial statement are provided below and are
drawn from information circular ST/IC/2013/36. Text in italics indicates additional
items used by UNIDIR.
Revenue
Voluntary contributions

Voluntary contributions, in cash and goods in kind
Contributions from non-Member States
Refunds to donors

Other transfers andallocations

Allocations from other funds
Subvention from the United Nations regular budget
Allocations from United Nations common system entities

Investment revenue

Investment revenue
Coupons and gains
Bank balance interest
Realized market gain (loss)
Unrealized market gain (loss)
Net of investment expenses

Other/miscellaneous
revenue

Revenue from rental of premises
Foreign exchange gains
Other miscellaneous income
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets
Internal transfers of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets
Tax equalization – staff assessment income

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Expenses
Employee salaries,
allowances and benefits

Staff contracts administered by the United Nations Secretariat
Staff salaries and wages, allowances, including taxes andeducation grant home leave, family visit, rest and recuperationand education grant travel
Expenses for long-term and post-employment employee benefit
liabilities, termination benefits, net actuarial gains (losses),
contribution to the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund
Actuarial pension contribution corrections (e.g. owing to changes
in demographic factors)
General temporary assistance compensation and allowances
Travel on appointment

Other expert contracts and Individual contractors and individual consultants administered byfees
the United Nations Secretariat, and the United Nations Office for
Project Services
Travel for this category of expert personnel
Non-military personnel compensation and allowances
United Nations Volunteers
Interpreters and translators (non-staff)
Ad hoc experts
Grants and other transfers

Outright grants and other transfers to implementing agencies andpartners and other entities (United Nations Office for Project
Services, United Nations Fund for International Partnerships,
Central Emergency Response Fund, etc.)
Quick-impact projects

Supplies and consumables

Cost of inventory used
Expenses for supplies

TravelTravel of staff
Travel of representatives (Advisory Committee on Administrative
and Budgetary Questions, meeting participants, delegates, etc.)

Other operating expenses

Rent, utilities
Contracted services
Doubtful debt expenses
Net foreign exchange losses
Maintenance expenses
Insurance, etc.
Recruitment expenses
Training, travel on training and travel on transfer
Expenses related to financing activities

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Bank charges
Credits to Member States for staff assessments
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets
Foreign exchange losses

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Annex III
Table 1
Actual revenue and expenses for 2020 and first quarter of 2021
(Thousands of United States dollars)

Description

2020

First quarter 2021

6 311

3 145

Revenue
Voluntary contributions a
Other transfers and allocations

383

281

Investment revenue

108

(33)

Other revenue

49

0

6 851

3 393

2 028

441

Total revenue
Expenses
Employee salaries, allowances and benefits b
Other expert contracts and fees

c

2 673

342

Grants and other transfers

632

0

Supplies and consumables

10Travel117(3)

Other operating expenses

185

26

453

215

6 089

1 021

762

2 372

Programme support expensesb

Total expenses
Surplus/(deficit) for the year eaThese figures include contributions pledged in prior years that were receivable during theperiod. They exclude contributions that were pledged in the period for future years.
b
Programme support costs generated from the use of extrabudgetary resources were used inpart to cover operating services provided by the Unit ed Nations Office at Geneva.

Table 2
Voluntary contributions and other transfers and allocations for 2020
(United States dollars)

Description

AmountA. Voluntary contributions
Australia
China
European Union a
Finland b

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33 201
20 000
1 016 557
223 710

France195 842

Germany c

1 285 013

Ireland391 937

Italy

85 185

Kazakhstan

5 000

Luxembourg

11 737

Mexico

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Description

AmountNetherlands d

517 647

New Zealand

82 009Norwaye

1 053 741

Republic of Korea

20 000Russian Federation

100 000

Spain

71 100Sweden379 898

Switzerland f

206 500

Turkey1 000

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

328 895

Microsoft Corporation

250 000

Fondation pour la recherche stratégique

21 716

Subtotal voluntary contributions

6 310 689

B. Other transfers and allocations
Subvention from the United Nations regular budget
Office for Disarmament AffairsgSubtotal other transfers and allocations
Total

276 200
106 940383 140
6 693 829aPart of a conditional multi-year contribution from the European Union of $3.2 million.
Revenue is recognized during the course of the project as specific goods or services areprovided in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
bIncludes $110,011 pledged by Finland in 2019 for 2020.
c
Includes $111,483 pledged by Germany in 2019 for 2020.
dComprises contributions of $117,647 and $400,000 pledged by the Netherlands in 2019 for2020.
eIncludes part of a multi-year pledge made by Norway in 2018. It does not include a further$226,321 pledged in 2020 for 2021 and 2022.
f
Includes $100,000 pledged by Switzerland in 2019 for 2020. It does not include a further$80,000 pledged in 2020 for 2021.
g
Earmarked funding for, inter alia, advisory services to support groups of governmental
experts.

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Annex IV
Projected revenue and expenses for 2021
(Thousands of United States dollars)

Description

2021

Revenue
Voluntary contributions

5 659

Other transfers and allocations

381

Investment income

107

Other revenue

34

Total revenue

6 181

Expenses
Direct expenditure
Employee salaries, allowances and benefits

2 226

Other expert contracts and fees

2 505

Grants and other transfers

1 009

Supplies and consumables

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1

Travel208

Other operating expenses

139

Programme support costs

731

Total expenses

6 819

Surplus/(deficit) for the year

(638)

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Annex V
Projected revenue and expenses for 2022
(Thousands of United States dollars)

Description

2022

Revenue
Voluntary contributions

5 393

Other transfers and allocations

381

Investment income

90

Other revenue

22

Total revenue

5 886

Expenses
Direct expenditure
Employee salaries, allowances and benefits

2 326

Other expert contracts and fees

2 352

Grants and other transfers
Supplies and consumables

30/30

931
1

Travel300

Other operating expenses

141

Programme support costs

726

Total expenses

6 777

Surplus/(deficit) for the year(891)

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