A/79/146

United Nations

General AssemblyDistr.: General
12 July 2024
Original: English

Seventy-ninth session
Item 100 of the provisional agenda*
Review of the implementation of the recommendations
and decisions adopted by the General Assembly at its
tenth special 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 2023.
The Board of Trustees of UNIDIR endorsed the report on 25 June 2024 in New
York, at the eighty-second session of the Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters.
The Board recognized the impact of the Institute’s research, its increased global
reach and the urgency of a subvention increase request to ensure the sustainability of
its vital research functions.

* A/79/150.

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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 2023, the approved
programme of work and financial plan for 2024 and the
proposed programme of work and financial plan for 2025
Summary
The present report was prepared in accordance with General Assembly
resolution 39/148 H, in which the Assembly invited the Director of the United Nations
Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) to report annually to it.
In line with its status as an autonomous institution within the United Nations,
UNIDIR provides independent, evidence-based, future-facing research on the key
security, disarmament and arms control challenges confronting the international
community. Following on from a record-breaking year in 2022, UNIDIR was again
able to further expand its policy-oriented research and convening activities in 2023.
Voluntary support from the most diverse and largest group of donors in the Institute’s
history, together with a strengthened funding structure and operating model, allowed
the Institute to conduct studies in such key areas as artificial intelligence andautonomy, nuclear risk, biosecurity, space security, cybersecurity, gender anddisarmament, regional security in the Middle East and interlinkages between
disarmament, arms control, conflict prevention, peacebuilding and development.
Most notably, UNIDIR launched a range of highly accessible and interactive
digital tools. Regular engagement with States and the provision of sustained, discreet
technical support to States, regional organizations and multilateral bodies also helped
to ensure that the Institute’s research was underpinned by reliable, up-to-the-minuteinformation and insight. The regular budget subvention continued to allow UNIDIR todeliver quarterly briefings to all United Nations regional groups, as well as three eventsin countries that are not members of the Organisation for Economic Co -operation andDevelopment.
Although today’s complex global security environment has driven demand forthe work of UNIDIR to new heights, the Institute continues to rely almost exclusively
on voluntary contributions for all of its programmatic work. The destabilizing effectof the geopolitical landscape on voluntary funding, paired with year-on-year declines
in unearmarked funding, represents a risk to the autonomy and sustainability of theInstitute’s statutory research functions. These trends underline the importance of both
the regular budget subvention and support from all Member States in all regions,
ideally in the form of unearmarked, multi-year funding.
In today’s challenging geostrategic context, the work of UNIDIR is more urgent
than ever. The timeliness and high quality of that work has been recognized by theGeneral Assembly (see resolution 75/82). Continued support for UNIDIR – and its
ability to bring together diverse perspectives in spaces of inclusive, collaborative
dialogue – will allow it to continue to act as an independent knowledge provider andbridge-builder even in times of heightened global tension.

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I. Introduction
1.
The year 2023 was marred by crisis after crisis. Global average temperatures
were the hottest on record. Military expenditure reached new heights. The risk of
nuclear war rose to levels not seen in decades. In addition, artificial intelligence
continued to enhance and augment military capabilities on a dizzying scale and at an
astonishing pace. Multiple crises, growing mistrust and warp-speed technologicaltransformation combined to create a pervasive sense of overwhelming complexity andinsurmountable challenges.
2.
To escape this breakdown trajectory, the New Agenda for Peace presented by
the Secretary-General in July 2023 places prevention and disarmament at the heart of
the global peace and security architecture. It recognizes that, rather than being ideals
for an imagined future, disarmament and arms control are essential tools forrebuilding trust precisely in times like these, when tensions are at a maximum. They
represent crucial waypoints towards re-establishing international cooperation andsteering the world towards a better future.
3.
The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is the only
United Nations think tank that focuses on disarmament, arms control andnon-proliferation. In today’s dynamic global security environment, the Institute’s
independent research and evidence-based analysis are in ever higher demand. Froman institute with 19 staff members with total revenue of $3 million in 2018, UNIDIR
grew to a team of 58 staff members with a total income of $12.9 million in 2023, afourfold increase in five years. In 2023, this income was also provided by the mostdiverse and largest group of donors in the Institute’s history. These 37 donors – upfrom 33 in 2022 and 26 in 2021 – came from all five regional groups, as well as all
five permanent members of the Security Council.
4.
UNIDIR equips the international community with the knowhow and tools
required to tackle the world’s most urgent international security challenges. Its
experts provide up-to-date, reliable and often discreet technical support to States,
regional organizations and multilateral bodies, and facilitate inclusive, collaborative
dialogue among both public and private stakeholders at every level. The General
Assembly, in its resolution 75/82, recognized the importance, timeliness and qualityof the work of the Institute.
5.
In 2023, UNIDIR further expanded and diversified the scope and impact of its
research, outreach and capacity-building activities worldwide. Indeed, its total numberof research outputs was more than three times higher than in 2019. The Institute alsobegan to construct a global disarmament research network and continued to expand its
range of partnerships across all continents. It organized a high-level retreat on
revitalizing the Conference on Disarmament, and its annual flagship events – the Cyber
Stability Conference, the Outer Space Security Conference and the Innovations
Dialogue – set new participation records. The Institute also developed a new websitethat has boosted the global accessibility and dissemination of its research products andstimulated greater use of its suite of digital tools. Keeping track of these rapidly
evolving policy areas allows UNIDIR to create a virtuous circle of transparency andcurrent data feeding into its research and advisory work.
6.
Despite having developed and grown so much in recent years, UNIDIR
continues to depend almost exclusively on voluntary contributions from States, thevast majority of which are earmarked for specific workstreams. The share of total
income available as unearmarked contributions has been steadily declining overrecent years, hitting an all-time low of just 6 per cent in 2023. This trend represents
a serious risk to the functioning, flexibility and responsiveness of the Institute, as
unearmarked funding often underpins frontier research in emerging, underfunded
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areas. This underlines the importance of both the regular budget subvention and donor
support from every world region, especially unearmarked multi-year funding. Only
with this kind of support can UNIDIR continue to carry out its vital and unique workof providing independent, evidence-based research to all Member States.

II. Performance and status of implementation of activities
in 2023
Research agenda and programmes
7.
In 2023, UNIDIR made significant strides towards the implementation of its
multi-year strategic research agenda for the period 2022–2025, endorsed by its Boardof Trustees (see A/77/263). Five research programmes lie at the core of this research
agenda: (a) conventional arms and ammunition; (b) weapons of mass destruction;(c) space security; (d) security and technology; and (e) gender and disarmament.
These programmes are designed as dynamic, multi-year scalable workstreams toreflect the disarmament priorities of a diverse international community. The UNIDIR
Futures Lab combines the Institute’s cross-disciplinary expertise and focuses on
forward-looking, long-term research with a view to better managing and mitigating
the risks and complexities of the dynamic global security environment in the twenty first century.
8.
In addition to its standing research programmes, UNIDIR pursued two major
research projects, on the following topics: (a) managing exits from armed conflict and(b) a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction.
Conventional arms and ammunition
9.
The New Agenda for Peace underlines how important countering theproliferation, diversion and misuse of small arms and light weapons remains toachieving sustainable peace, security and development. In 2023, the conventionalarms and ammunition programme of UNIDIR conducted research in three priority
areas: (a) strengthening weapons and ammunition management; (b) preventing armed
conflict and armed violence; and (c) addressing development and security challenges.
10. To reduce the human cost of the proliferation and misuse of conventional arms
and ammunition, UNIDIR promotes a whole-of-system approach to effective throughlife weapons and ammunition management. In his 2023 report on small arms and light
weapons, the Secretary-General emphasized the importance of comprehensive
baselines for weapons and ammunition management, highlighting key findings fromthe Institute’s reference methodology for national baseline assessments and its annual
report on progress made by African States in strengthening weapons and ammunition
management.
11. UNIDIR plays a leading role in enhancing knowledge to understand andmitigate the risk of diversion in arms transfers. In 2023, in collaboration with theStimson Center and Conflict Armament Research, UNIDIR published a compendiumof key resources and tools and a report on how industry and other private sector actors
can counter the diversion of conventional arms. In cooperation with the Flemish Peace
Institute, UNIDIR developed a new framework for identifying and assessing
technologies that could strengthen efforts to counter the diversion of conventionalarms and related components. In 2024, this framework will inform discussions onopportunities for greater use of technology for countering the diversion of small arms
at the fourth United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in the
Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the
Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, and discussions on
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the diversion of components for uncrewed aerial systems at the tenth Conference ofStates Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty.
12. The Institute continues its efforts to build bridges between the conventionalarms control, conflict-prevention and armed violence-reduction communities. In his
report on small arms and light weapons, the Secretary-General highlights the“practical guidance” contained in the Institute’s Arms-Related Risk Analysis Toolkit
for use by United Nations peacekeeping operations and special political missions. In
2023, the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan andthe country team in the Sudan used the toolkit to identify entry points for integratingarms control and conflict prevention. A UNIDIR report on the experience of theUnited Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali provided
lessons for peacekeeping operations in hostile environments. In 2024, the programme
will continue to explore the potential role of data on flows of arms and ammunition
for conflict early-warning and early-response mechanisms.
13. In 2023, UNIDIR, in collaboration with United Nations Regional Centre for
Peace and Disarmament in Africa and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of
Switzerland, fostered regional exchanges of experience and practices in developing a
joint and sustainable approach to preventing violent extremism and managing
conventional weapons in West Africa. A report documenting the intersection between
preventing violent extremism and conventional weapons management will be
published in 2024.
14. In 2023, the Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters called for innovative
strategies to enhance public awareness of military spending and to reduce suchspending (see A/78/287). In 2023, UNIDIR and the Stockholm International Peace
Research Institute launched a joint research initiative, as part of the Global
Disarmament Research Network, to develop practical tools and policy
recommendations for enhancing oversight and accountability of security spending
with a view to rebalancing security and development spending.
15. UNIDIR continues to increase knowledge relating to technological developments
and innovations in the field of conventional arms. In 2024, it will share researchfindings on the use of uncrewed systems by non-State armed groups around the world,
as well as the results of the first global survey on improvised and craft-produced smallarms and light weapons.
Weapons of mass destruction
16. Within the challenging geostrategic context of 2023, the UNIDIR weapons ofmass destruction programme pursued research across three workstreams: (a) nuclear
risk reduction; (b) new approaches to transparency and verification in nuclear
disarmament; and (c) strengthening the norm against chemical and biologicalweapons.
17. In 2023, the Institute’s nuclear risk reduction workstream continued to provide
a space for the development of shared understandings of risks and risk-mitigation
tools. Drawing on its unique convening power, the Institute explored different
regional perspectives with a view to mapping perceptions of nuclear risk andidentifying “islands of consensus” upon which to build approaches to risk reduction.
UNIDIR also continued its work related to the risks arising from the convergence of
nuclear weapon systems with emerging technologies, including space systems.
18. Work on nuclear risk reduction will continue over the course of 2024 with apublication on global perceptions of nuclear risk, along with further work on nuclear
risk reduction in the First Committee of the General Assembly, at the Summit of the
Future and in the run-up to the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty
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on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. UNIDIR will also take stock of the fullrange of risk-reduction tools available and develop a digital resource for nuclear riskreduction measures.
19. In 2023, UNIDIR organized an innovative nuclear verification field exercise ata facility provided by the Government of Switzerland. This exercise improved
understanding of the practice of nuclear disarmament verification, especially the roleand limits of on-site inspections and satellite surveillance. UNIDIR also provided
expert input to verification-related discussions at the Preparatory Committee for the
Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons and the Treaty’s informal working group on nuclear disarmament
verification, as well as provided important substantive support to the Group ofGovernmental Experts to further consider nuclear disarmament verification issues,
which successfully concluded in 2023.
20. In 2024, work on nuclear disarmament verification will shift focus to looking at
how to revitalize work on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for
nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. UNIDIR will explore the conceptof verification in a time of distrust and geostrategic tension by looking at steps thatcan be taken unilaterally, bilaterally or multilaterally to build confidence in treaty
compliance.
21. UNIDIR has established itself as an international thought leader on issues
related to chemical and biological disarmament diplomacy. In 2023, its work included
a publication and a series of events on preparing for success at the fifth Special
Session of the Conference of the States Parties to Review the Operation of the
Chemical Weapons Convention. UNIDIR also continued work related to the
Biological Weapons Convention, including publications, presentations and briefings
on verification, transparency and the implications of converging technology, which,in the words of the Chair of the working group on the strengthening of the Biological
Weapons Convention, “inspired” States parties. UNIDIR also worked onstrengthening biological disarmament through stakeholder engagement, including
through a joint event with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Office for
Disarmament Affairs on biorisks and biosecurity, and the development of a digital
database of materials related to national implementation of the Biological Weapons
Convention.
22. In 2024, UNIDIR will undertake research into the future of chemical andbiological weapon regimes and measures designed to prevent the development anduse of these weapons, which currently face a number of challenges. UNIDIR will also
support the working group on the strengthening of the Biological Weapons
Convention through, among other things, a series of webinars and research onbiorisks, voluntary transparency measures and changes in science and technology of
relevance to the Convention. UNIDIR will also continue to populate and promote its
database on national implementation measures related to the Convention, which is
emerging as a valuable resource for strengthening biological disarmament globally.
Space security
23. The governance of space security has become a salient topic in international
security discourse. However, discussions around space security governance have been
made more complicated and more complex by advances in and the diffusion of spacerelated technologies. To address this complexity, in 2023 the UNIDIR space security
programme launched “A lexicon for outer space security”, which serves as anaccessible global reference point for terminology related to space security. The
lexicon, which was produced collaboratively with a geographically representative
team of space security and disarmament experts, was described by the Chair of the
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open-ended working group on reducing space threats through norms, rules andprinciples of responsible behaviours as “an invaluable tool for having a more
inclusive multilateral discussion” on space security.
24. UNIDIR also launched the space security portal, which gathers available
information at the national, regional and international levels on policies, processes
and structures that are relevant to outer space security. The portal is designed to aid
policymakers in developing shared understandings of policies and practices related tospace security governance.
25. The programme continued to provide expert support to the open-ended working
group on reducing space threats, which concluded in 2023, as well as the Group ofGovernmental Experts on Further Practical Measures for the Prevention of an Arms
Race in Outer Space, which held its first session in November 2023. In addition, theInstitute organized several events designed to facilitate dialogue on space security,
including consultations with non-governmental entities, the 2023 Outer Space
Security Conference and two regional in-person space security events, the first in
Africa and the second in Latin America.
26. In 2024, the programme will continue its pioneering work on the lexicon forouter space security and the portal, expanding the scope of these resources andproviding versions in all official languages of the United Nations to facilitate a wider
understanding of both terminology and approaches to space security. The programme
will also continue to support ongoing international processes, serving as a trusted
broker for discussions on space security, including through events on space threat
vectors and on verification and monitoring in space.
Security and technology
27. The year 2023 was a pivotal one for emerging technologies, with artificial
intelligence becoming a key priority following the rapid diffusion of large language
models and other generative applications. The UNIDIR security and technology
programme explores the changing landscape of technological innovation in order to
identify risks posed to international peace, security and development. In 2023, theprogramme focused on: (a) international cybersecurity; (b) artificial intelligence inthe military domain; (c) developments in enabling technologies; and (d) strategic
foresight. Throughout the year, the programme informed multilateral processes
related to international cybersecurity and lethal autonomous weapon systems andcontributed to the preparations for the Summit of the Future.
28. The Institute’s work on international cybersecurity supports States in theirimplementation of the framework for responsible State behaviour in cyberspace andstrengthens their capacity to manage international cyberincidents. In 2023, theprogramme conducted research on international law – which was also the subject ofthe 2023 Cyber Stability Conference – and formulated recommendations on thefoundational cybercapabilities required for the implementation of the framework. The
programme also organized a series of events, both public and closed-door, to facilitate
knowledge and information exchange and to support confidence-building in the cyberdomain. A particularly impactful activity of 2023 was a closed-door scenario-based
workshop on the application of international law to the domain of information andcommunications technology, in which over 50 government officials from more than
25 countries in all regions participated.
29. In 2023, the UNIDIR Cyber Policy Portal was officially recognized as a global
confidence-building measure in the annual report of the open-ended working groupon security of and in the use of information and communications technologies 2021 –
2025, which was later endorsed by the General Assembly by consensus. In addition,
the Portal continued to be extensively referenced by national delegations and reached24-12847

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a new milestone in 2023 with over 23,000 visits from around the world. In 2024,
UNIDIR will continue to support the operationalization of the framework for
responsible State behaviour in cyberspace, focusing on capacity-building andinternational law.
30. In 2023, UNIDIR explored the wider implications of artificial intelligence forthe military domain and international security more broadly, the first time this has
been done within the United Nations context. While continuing to support the workof the Group of Governmental Experts on Emerging Technologies in the Area of
Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems, UNIDIR also broadened its work to include
the security implications of artificial intelligence beyond weapons systems. The 2023
Innovations Dialogue brought together more than 2,000 participants to examine theimpact of artificial intelligence in all domains of warfare. UNIDIR also supported theorganization of the first Summit on Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military
Domain. In 2023, the Institute launched the UNIDIR artificial intelligence policy
portal to increase transparency and information-sharing on the development ofpolicies on artificial intelligence and defence and security. In 2024, UNIDIR willcontinue to explore the different implications of artificial intelligence for global
security, with a particular focus on confidence-building measures and support fornational policy development.
31. UNIDIR also launched two new workstreams in 2023. The first workstream is
focused on exploring the development of key enabling technologies and their impact
on international peace and security, including quantum technologies, synthetic data,
Internet fragmentation and submarine cables. The second focuses on the use of futuresand foresight methodologies to explore the impact of emerging technologies on thecontemporary international peace and security environment.
Gender and disarmament
32. The gender and disarmament programme of UNIDIR contributes to genderequality in multilateral processes and the incorporation of gender perspectives into
arms control and disarmament. It thereby supports the broadening of the scope ofarms control beyond weapons and also addresses the impacts of weapons and violence
on individuals.
33. Building on recommendations put forward by UNIDIR and other stakeholders,the Global Framework for Through-Life Conventional Ammunition Management, as
adopted in 2023, includes an objective dedicated to gender mainstreaming. In linewith the Institute’s best practices for collection of gender-disaggregated data, theGlobal Framework is also aimed at achieving an increased understanding of thedifferentiated impacts of unplanned explosions at conventional ammunition sites andof the diversion of conventional ammunition.
34. To advance knowledge on the linkages between the availability of weapons andammunition and the occurrence of gender-based violence, UNIDIR published“Addressing weapons in conflict-related sexual violence: the arms control anddisarmament toolbox”. This report shows that, in countries with disaggregated dataon weapons, 70 to 90 per cent of incidents of conflict-related sexual violence arereported to involve weapons, in particular firearms. This finding was reflected in theannual report of the Secretary-General on women and peace and security, in which heunderscored the importance of arms control in the prevention of gender-based
violence and called for gender parity in all areas of international security.
35. UNIDIR was invited to present its research to the Security Council during theopen debate on small arms and light weapons convened by Ecuador in December
2023. On that occasion, UNIDIR urged Security Council members to support thesystematic collection of data on the impacts of weapons and ammunition,
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disaggregated by sex and age, including when recording casualties and conflict related sexual violence.
36. Another important area of work was the Convention on the Prohibition of theUse, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their
Destruction. As the Convention’s Oslo action plan for the period 2020–2024 enteredits final year, UNIDIR launched “Beyond Oslo: taking stock of gender and diversity
mainstreaming in the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention”, an in-depth analysis of
the implementation of action points covering gender, diversity and inclusion.
37. As part of a new research project, UNIDIR began work with a diverse group of
experts connecting gender issues with nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
The Institute also coordinated the submission of an official working paper on taking
forward gender mainstreaming efforts in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons, which was co-sponsored by a cross-regional group of 11 States
parties at the first session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review
Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
38. Throughout 2023, the programme delivered briefings to national actors andcollaborated with multilateral stakeholders on research projects, side events andworking papers covering distinct disarmament forums. All of this contributed to agreater appreciation of the importance of gender analysis in international security,
which was reflected in the fact that a record proportion – 38 per cent – of resolutions
adopted by the First Committee in 2023 included a gender perspective, a significant
increase from 25 per cent in 2019.
39. In 2024, UNIDIR will continue to support States and stakeholders in efforts toadvance multilateral policy and dialogue on gender and disarmament. In particular,
the Institute will step up its work on gender and security technology with thedevelopment of the Women in AI fellowship, a new initiative to promote themeaningful engagement of women in discussions related to military applications ofartificial intelligence.
A Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction
40. UNIDIR completed the first phase of the project on a Middle East zone free of
weapons of mass destruction, which was funded by the European Union and launchedin 2019. In its first phase, the project helped to fill the research gap om the Middle
East zone, built analytic capacity to support new thinking on regional security issues
and the zone, developed proposals on how to move forward and fostered dialogue
between experts and policymakers on regional security issues, which could thencontribute to ongoing multilateral processes.
41. In 2023, the project held four events, attracting a total of over 400 participants.
Activities focused on dialogues and research related to enhancing regional security
and the prospects for establishing the zone. Project activities, such as a workshop on
regional security perspectives, co-organized with the Bahrain Center for Strategic,
International and Energy Studies in Manama, encouraged discussions on regional
perspectives and priorities, including threat perceptions. UNIDIR continued tofacilitate existing processes and to inform future ones by drafting reports,summarizing States’ positions and helping bridge positions during regional
conferences. It supported the fourth session of the Conference on the Establishmentof a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass
Destruction and its intersessional working committee. UNIDIR also participated in
14 related events and regularly briefed and consulted with States of the region andentities such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Office for
Disarmament Affairs.

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42. UNIDIR continued to promote a better understanding of past and current efforts
by releasing a report discussing the various narratives on the Middle East zone and aseries – authored by the negotiators themselves – on the consultations held in Glion,
Switzerland, and Geneva in 2013 and 2014. The project also produced analyses on
issues relevant to the ongoing and any future zone negotiations, such as the modalities
of nuclear disarmament, how to address chemical and biological weapons, and thepeaceful use of nuclear energy in the context of the proposed zone. The project’s main
findings were discussed at an expert workshop in Prague and published in its final
report.
43. The project’s second phase was launched in July 2023. Its main objectives are(a) to assist in mitigating regional trends in the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction; (b) to encourage regional security arrangements and arms control,
non-proliferation and disarmament norms and processes; (c) to develop a more in depth understanding of the relationship between the zone and current regional andinternational developments; and (d) to promote an effective, verifiable, inclusive andsustainable zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East.
Managing exits from armed conflict
44. The UNIDIR project on managing exits from armed conflict is developing aunified, rigorous assessment of how and why individuals exit an armed conflict andsustainably reintegrate into civilian life. The project’s main objective is to produce arobust, comparable and shared base of evidence that will allow partners across theUnited Nations to design interventions that help prevent the onset of conflict andpromote sustainable peace.
45. In 2023, UNIDIR, after consultation with partners from across the United
Nations system – the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United
Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP), the Department of Peace Operations and the World Bank – and experts invarious fields, agreed on the Conflict Exits Assessment Framework, which provides
a converging vision for what “successful” transitions away from conflict look likeand a road map for rigorous assessment of the impact of efforts by the United Nations
to support such transitions. Over recent years, UNIDIR has deployed its framework
and assessment tools in six countries – Cameroon, Chad, Colombia, Iraq, the Niger
and Nigeria – to support practitioners on the ground with evidence to enhance theirwork in real time.
46. In 2023, the project produced 11 publications and launched two new researchseries: the Fieldwork Note series, focusing on research processes, lessons learned andpractical insights from field research; and the Research into Action series, bridging
academia and practitioners through interviews with scholars on key findings of theirotherwise difficult-to-access work and its policy implications. In addition, UNIDIR
conducted seven surveys with a total of over 5,000 respondents, under took
participatory research with young people and held a number of focus groups andinterviews with hundreds of key informants. The project also organized 32 eventswith a total of over 1,400 participants, including a three-day conference in New Yorkin March 2023 that brought together experts, United Nations leaders and high -level
diplomatic representatives to enhance cross-sectoral approaches to conflict
prevention and post-conflict reintegration.
47. The project partners with UNDP, the Department of Peace Operations, the World
Bank, the secretariat of the Regional Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience Strategy
for Areas Affected by Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin Region, and the United
Nations University (UNU) Centre for Policy Research.

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48. In 2024, the project will focus on several key activities in Colombia, Iraq and
Nigeria. In Colombia, it will follow up with participants in the differential assistanceprocesses for Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC-EP)
dissidents and criminal groups. In Iraq, the project will analyse the impact of shifting
returnee profiles on community acceptance. In Nigeria, it will conduct surveys withmass surrenders from Boko Haram and expand research on banditry in the north-westof the country.
Knowledge and advisory support
49. The knowledge and advisory support of UNIDIR is continually in high demand,and its notable impact is widely recognized. Throughout 2023, UNIDIR regularly
supported the informed engagement of all States in multilateral processes relating toarms control and disarmament.
50. UNIDIR provided advice to United Nations disarmament, peace and security
entities. It supported the First Committee and the Conference on Disarmament,
including through a high-level retreat. This retreat and the subsequent report andpresentations on revitalizing the Conference laid out a number of possible steps,
strides to be made and major reforms, some of which have been implemented. The
Institute also briefed the Security Council on small arms and light weapons.
51. UNIDIR organized two events alongside the first session of the Preparatory
Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, in 2023, providing insights into nuclear risk
reduction and nuclear disarmament verification. UNIDIR also coordinated thesubmission of an official working paper on taking forward gender mainstreaming
efforts in the Non-Proliferation Treaty, with co-sponsorship coming from a crossregional group of 11 States. Ahead of the fifth Review Conference of the States Parties
to the Chemical Weapons Convention, UNIDIR launched a major report and a seriesof events that helped inform the preparations of States parties. The Chair of the
Review Conference welcomed the Institute’s work and the recommendations
provided to States parties. The working group on the strengthening of the Biological
Weapons Convention and a range of States parties to the Convention invited UNIDIR
to provide briefings, both regional and bilateral. The Institute also supported theinformal working group on nuclear disarmament verification of the Treaty on theProhibition of Nuclear Weapons. The Institute’s weapons of mass destruction
programme further briefed the working committee of the Conference on the
Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weaponsof Mass Destruction.
52. General Assembly resolution 77/64 underscores the impact of work by UNIDIR
in the field of conventional arms. In 2023, UNIDIR advised various international andregional processes on conventional arms and ammunition control. It supported thepresidency of the ninth Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty,
convening dialogue activities which underpinned the presidency’s working paper on
the role of industry. Further, UNIDIR and the Office for Disarmament Affairs, throughthematic seminars, gathered recommendations for the fourth United Nations
Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of
Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light
Weapons in All Its Aspects, in 2024. The General Assembly has encouraged Member
States to use the Institute’s counter-improvised explosive device self-assessment tool.
Since 2020, at least 14 States have used the tool, with UNIDIR supporting a 2023
assessment in Thailand. In its work on weapons and ammunition management in
2023, UNIDIR supported a baseline assessment in Côte d’Ivoire, led by the Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the first examination of

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subnational practices in Somalia, and shared key findings of earlier assessments in
the Central African Republic and Togo.
53. Throughout the year, UNIDIR continued to advise and generate research forvarious groups of governmental experts. Via dedicated studies on artificial
intelligence, it helped the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous
Weapons Systems to progress in its work. The Group’s Chair and several experts
acknowledged the impact of these contributions. UNIDIR also provided “invaluable”
support to the Group of Governmental Experts on Nuclear Disarmament Verification
and, through presentations and background papers, advised the new Group ofGovernmental Experts on Further Practical Measures for the Prevention of an Arms
Race in Outer Space.
54. Open-ended working groups also continued to benefit from the research andadvice of UNIDIR. The Institute supported the successful diplomatic process of the
open-ended working group on conventional ammunition, which led to the adoptionof the new Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition
Management. Together with the Office for Disarmament Affairs, UNIDIR also lent
technical support to the Chair of the open-ended working group on security of and in
the use of information and communications technologies 2021–2025 and facilitatedMember States’ knowledge- and information-sharing through several dedicatedevents. UNIDIR delivered working papers and expert presentations to the open -ended
working group on reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of
responsible behaviours and organized related regional events, briefings andconsultations of the Chair with non-governmental entities from industry, academia
and civil society.
55. The Institute again conducted its in-person annual disarmament orientation
course for newly arrived diplomats in Geneva, together with the Office for
Disarmament Affairs. This brought together 44 participants from 38 Member States,
an increase of 83 per cent compared with 2022. This course will be continued
annually, subject to funding.
Dialogue activities
56. Inclusive dialogue is central to the mission of UNIDIR. The Institute exercises
important convening and bridge-building functions and serves as an interactive,
global platform for inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogues. UNIDIR regularly brings
together representatives of States, civil society and industry, as well as experts andresearchers from various disciplinary and geographical backgrounds, to discuss adiverse range of disarmament and global security issues. In 2023, its 148 events
engaged more than 11,000 participants at the national, regional and international
levels on topics spanning the breadth of its research programmes.
57. The year 2023 saw unparalleled levels of participation in the Institute’s annual
flagship events. The 2023 Cyber Stability Conference, organized for the first time in
New York and attended by more than 500 participants, explored ways to advance thediscussion on the rights and responsibilities of States in the use of information andcommunications technologies. The 2023 Outer Space Security Conference provided
a unique forum for discussing policy options to enhance space security, with morethan 1,000 participants from a diverse range of States joining the discussion. The 2023
Innovations Dialogue attracted the highest-ever level of participation, with over 2,000
participants from around the world, a 25 per cent increase from 2022, to discuss theimpact of artificial intelligence on future battlefields.
58. Also in 2023, UNIDIR convened the first informal strategic weapons andammunition management dialogue for the United Nations and the first global
symposium on weapons and ammunition management. These unique platforms
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gathered important lessons learned on strengthening national frameworks forweapons and ammunition management and identified opportunities for enhancing
coordination and cohesion across the United Nations.
59. As in 2022, UNIDIR again organized quarterly briefings for all regional groupsof Member States. This important activity was enabled by the increase in the regularbudget subvention approved in December 2021. In line with the diplomatic prioritiesof the year, the briefings focused on the fifth Review Conference of the States Parties
to the Chemical Weapons Convention; the discussions of the open -ended working
group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies
2021–2025; and countering threats posed by improvised explosive devices. One
additional briefing was delivered to the African Union on child recruitment andreintegration. UNIDIR also convened regional dialogues in South-East Asia and West
Africa to share effective national measures and opportunities for enhanced regional
cooperation for countering threats from improvised explosive devices. The results ofthese regional efforts were shared during international conferences in Geneva.
60. In collaboration with ECOWAS, UNIDIR convened a regional seminar in Accra.
The event brought together representatives of West African States and disarmament
experts to discuss gender perspectives on arms control and disarmament. Over 50
participants from more than 12 West African countries engaged in panels andbrainstorming sessions covering gender-sensitive arms control, gender and diversity
mainstreaming in mine action, and the participation and leadership of women in arms
control.
The Institute
61. The complex geopolitical situation in 2023 once again led to a markedly
increased demand for the Institute’s independent, evidence-based research on global
security issues. As a result, the Institute continued on a growth trajectory, in line withthe operating model established by the Secretary-General in his 2018 report(A/73/284).
Staffing and operations
62. The number of full-time positions grew by 41 per cent in 2023 to reach 58 (seeannex IV), up from 41 in 2022, and had reached 71 as of the first quarter of 2024.
Current personnel originate from 33 countries on five continents and speak more than
20 languages, including all six official languages of the United Nations. Ninety -one
per cent of staff have a postgraduate degree, including 28 per cent who hold a doctoral
degree. UNIDIR has a male-to-female gender ratio of 63:37 among staff.
63. The Institute’s steadfast commitment to youth and the engagement of next generation researchers continued in 2023. Its research talent-building Graduate
Professional Programme brought 23 young researchers from 17 countries and fivedifferent regions to UNIDIR.
64. Only two institutional functions of the 71 positions at UNIDIR are currently
covered by the United Nations regular budget (the Director and Executive Officer
positions). Other positions are covered by voluntary contributions that are subject tounpredictable changes in a challenging global funding environment. Against thisbackdrop and given the growing demand for and importance of the Institute’s work
among the international community as a whole, the Institute’s Board of Trustees, at
its June 2023 meeting (see A/78/287), endorsed the need for a further increase of theInstitute’s regular budget subvention to preserve and guarantee an “irreducible core”(see A/70/186) that covers both institutional and research leadership.

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65. The high calibre of the Institute’s diverse workforce is what makes it such an
impactful think tank. In line with the Institute’s scalable and economical staffing
model, researchers are offered consultancy contracts through the United Nations
Office for Project Services (UNOPS). These contracts include similar leave
entitlements to those for United Nations staff and the possibility to cover relocation
costs and issue Swiss residence permits for eligible family members. The conditions
provided by UNOPS for consultancy contracts remain more attractive than those
provided by the United Nations Office at Geneva. In 2023, calculated measures weretaken to retain talent, such as the addition of a medical insurance subsidy for staff on
UNOPS contracts.
66. At the institutional level, a Senior Communications and Partnerships Specialist
was added in the first quarter of 2024 to further boost the Institute’s outreach anddissemination activities, as well as its global impact. Despite the marked growth of
the Institute’s research activities, the administrative team remains lean, butreorganization in a decentralized manner has allowed it to attain maximum efficiency
in supporting the significant surge in operational demands from programmes andprojects. Furthermore, in the light of the United Nations liquidity crisis and a volatile
funding environment, a cautious approach is being taken in filling even essential
positions as they become vacant.
67. As requested by the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary
Questions, UNIDIR contracted a Senior Human Resources Specialist to evaluate its
operational and staffing requirements. The Specialist noted that “to fulfil the increasein demand, the Institute’s research outputs have grown by more than 500 per cent in
the last five years” and concluded that “the growth in UNIDIR’s staffing is justified
as it is due to significantly increased demand, and consequently greater workload
placed on the Institute, leading to an increase in its operational requirements”.
UNIDIR continues to follow the staffing model contained in the report of theSecretary-General (A/73/284) published in 2018 after the independent assessment of
UNIDIR requested by the General Assembly in its resolution 70/69. The Specialist’s
evaluation reconfirmed that the use of the United Nations Office at Geneva to provide
contracts for United Nations staff and consultants or UNOPS for international
individual contractor agreements was “the most suitable method considerin g the sizeof the Institute, dependency on voluntary contributions and ability to offer attractive
contracts to researchers”. A deliberate effort to fill vacant positions with a more
equitable geographical representation among staff has resulted in an incr ease in
non-European staff from 49 per cent in 2023 to 56 per cent in the first quarter of 2024.
The Specialist encouraged UNIDIR to continue its efforts to maximize regional
diversity in its workforce. Finally, the Specialist reviewed the Institute’s fund ing
structure against the backdrop of an uncertain economic outlook and recommended
an increase in the regular budget subvention for the Institute to improve thepredictability and sustainability of research in core areas.
68. UNIDIR extended its human resources services agreement with UNOPS until theend of 2027, with the administrative charges rate reduced to 7 per cent from 1 January2024 (down from 8 per cent since the start of the arrangement, in 2019). The service
fees incurred in 2023 to administer approximately 50 contracts amounted to $293,598,
compared with $150,090 in 2022.
69. For all other operational requirements, procurement, United Nations staff andshort-term consultancies, information technology support and facilities management,
UNIDIR relied on its memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Officeat Geneva. The total billing for all these services, as well as rent, totalled $390,847 in
2023, compared with $319,242 in 2022.

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Communications and outreach
70. In 2023, UNIDIR developed a new web presence and undertook a major
redesign of its suite of publications, enabling significant improvements in brandrecognition and the global dissemination of its research products.
71. The Institute’s new website offers a more audience-focused and appealing
channel through which stakeholders can discover and engage with its research andgrowing range of digital tools. The new site foregrounds the Institute’s focus areas
and research products in order to provide more intuitive and user-friendly access to awide range of audiences. Bringing in the inventive visual interpretations of local andinternational artists, photographers and researchers has also enabled UNIDIR toconnect with its audiences in more visually impactful ways.
72. In 2023, rising demand for the Institute’s collection of accessible, interactive
digital tools led to the development and launch of the artificial intelligence policy
portal, the space security portal, the Cyber Policy Portal database and the Biologica lWeapons Convention national implementation measures database. These tools
increase transparency around the activities of States, which in turn can help to build
mutual trust and common understanding. Crucially, however, they also provide up to-the-minute data to inform and improve the Institute’s research and advisory workand further solidify its position as a digital hub for addressing key global security
issues.
73. Targeted outreach to key partners within and beyond the United Nations system,
as well as coordinated cross-platform social media campaigns, saw visits to theInstitute’s website and digital tools rise to over 1 million. The Institute’s combinedsocial media audience also surpassed 50,000 followers, with a stronger emphasis onvideo content leading to a fivefold increase in total YouTube watch time comparedwith 2022.
74. The total of 148 events held by the Institute, attracting over 11,000 participants,
marked 2023 as yet another year of significant expansion in activities and outreach.
75. The Institute’s 96 publications in 2023 dealt with everything from long-standing
issues like revitalizing the work of the Conference on Disarmament and strengthening
bilateral nuclear arms control to the use of synthetic data in artificial intelligence andAfrican perspectives on advancing space security. UNIDIR also remains strongly
committed to reaching new and underserved audiences through multilingual outputs.
To this end, the Institute produced translations into 10 other languages, including, forthe first time, the South-East Asian languages of Thai, Khmer, Vietnamese and Bahasa
Indonesia. Multiple language versions of the online portals and databases will belaunched in 2024 with the objective of further improving accessibility. A complete
listing of UNIDIR publications in 2023 is available on the Institute’s website. 1
76. In 2024, the Institute will take advantage of increased capacity to redefine andrelaunch its communications strategy and thereby enhance its communications andengagement work across the board.
Partnerships
77. To harness wide-ranging expertise and first-rate thinking around the globe,
UNIDIR works with a diverse, global network of individuals and partner institutions,
including the United Nations family, regional organizations, research institutes,
academia, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.

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78. In 2023, UNIDIR launched its global disarmament research network, which is
aimed at convening a broad network of experts from all regions of the world. The
Network reinforces the Institute’s global networked approach, helping to ensure thatideas are properly heard and integrated from the ground up to enrich the discourse
through various perspectives and cross-disciplinary expertise on a global basis. As
part of this new initiative, four thematic networks were initiated in 2023: national
security priorities and public spending; nuclear weapons and delivery systems;
convergence of biological and chemical weapons; and governance of artificial
intelligence in the military domain. The nuclear dialogue, for example, brought
together senior experts from around the world to identify concrete options forpursuing risk reduction.
79. In 2023, UNIDIR also further strengthened its collaboration with partners fromacross the United Nations system, many advancing complementary action in the areaof peace and security and others working on topics in a nexus with global security,
such as humanitarian affairs, human rights and development. Partners included theCounter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, the Department of Peace
Operations, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, IOM, the Officefor the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Office of the United Nations HighCommissioner for Human Rights, UNDP, UNICEF, the United Nations Institute forTraining and Research, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice ResearchInstitute, the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit, theInter-Agency Working Group on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration,
UNU, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of
Women (UN-Women) and WHO. The Institute also engaged with IAEA, theOrganization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the World Bank, theOrganisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations Cyber
Hub. Providing research insights and evidence on peace, security and disarmament,
UNIDIR contributed to various United Nations inter-agency processes, including
those on counter-terrorism; disarmament, demobilization and reintegration;
sanctions; mine action; improvised explosive devices; small arms and light weapons;
biological risks; biological weapons; and space security.
80. Close cooperation and coordination with the Office for Disarmament Affairs
continued across all of the Institute’s programmes, including through theco-organization of events and activities and at the strategic and institutional levels. A
two-day retreat between the two partners served to ensure alignment and joint
planning for the year ahead.
81. UNIDIR also partnered with regional organizations all over the map, on topics
such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, multidimensional security, conventionalarms control, and gender and disarmament. Regional partners included the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the African Union, the Caribbean
Community, the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States,
the Economic Community of Central African States, the Southern African
Development Community, the Lake Chad Basin Commission, the Regional Centre on
Small Arms, the European Union and the Organization of American States. The
Institute also continued collaboration with research institutes and scholars worldwide,
including the Verification Research, Training and Information Centre and the Secure
World Foundation. It forged new partnerships with academic institutions, including
Seokyeong University in Seoul and the Centre for International Strategic Studies inIslamabad. UNIDIR also collaborated with the Bahrain Centre for Strategi c,
International and Energy Studies to co-organize a workshop on regional security
perspectives.
82. In 2024, UNIDIR is revamping its fellowship programme. Senior fellows andfellows are invited to enrich the intellectual life and knowledge base of the Institute
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with new, diverse perspectives and ideas on critical arms control and disarmament
challenges.
Resource mobilization
83. UNIDIR achieved another record year in 2023, with the highest-ever donor
income of $12,535,342 (compared with $7,856,076 in 2022) and the largest and mostdiverse number of donors, at 37 (33 in 2022) in the history of the Institute. Its
continuous growth is testament to the effectiveness of its new resource-mobilization
strategy, whereby, under the strategic leadership of the Director, all branches of theInstitute are now engaged in fundraising all year long.
84. The percentage of unearmarked contributions fell from 8 per cent in 2022 to
6 per cent in 2023. At its January 2024 meeting, the Institute’s Board of Trustees
reiterated its appeal to all Member States to continue to make financial contributions
to the Institute, if possible multi-annual, and strongly encouraged them to unearmark
all or part of their contributions so as to sustain the Institute’s viability, independence
and impartiality and the quality of its work over the long term.
85. In 2023, UNIDIR became eligible to apply for a review of its official
development assistance coefficient. The successful application was supported byseveral Member States and submitted by Canada. It resulted in an increased
coefficient of 36 per cent as from 2024, compared with 27 per cent during the previous
five years. The work of the Institute’s conventional arms and ammunition programme
and its project on managing exits from armed conflict was determined to be 100 per
cent eligible for official development assistance. This is a step in the right direction
for States willing to provide unearmarked contributions to the Institute or to support
these areas in particular.
86. UNIDIR established six new multi-year agreements in 2023 and has alreadysigned three in the first quarter of 2024, giving it flexibility in operational planningand implementation.
87. The annually recosted regular budget subvention amounted to $742,100 in 2023($683,500 in 2022) and offered some much-needed financial stability. As this funds
only two of the Institute’s positions and accounted for less than 8 per cent of total
operations in 2023, the Institute is considering presenting a request for an increase to
the General Assembly in due course.
88. In line with established practice, in 2023 UNIDIR briefed its donors throughbiannual donor forums and regular bilateral discussions. It also engaged with private
sector and philanthropic partners on the basis of its revised and updated guiding
principles for engagements with non-State actors.
Resources and expenditures
89. Total actual revenue and expenditure for 2023 amounted to $12,899,000 and$10,047,000, respectively (see annex II, table 1). This compares with projected
revenue and expenditure for 2023 (see A/78/163) of $9,276,000 and $8,523,000,
respectively. The higher-than-expected revenue was due to contributions from new or
returning donors – Indonesia, Japan, Liberia, Romania, the Holy See, IOM and
UNICEF – and larger-than-expected contributions from Canada, Germany, Norway,
the United States of America and the European Union. Expenditure was 18 per centhigher than the projection due to the integration of the project on managing exits fromarmed conflict, the establishment of phase II of the Middle East weapons of mass
destruction-free zone project, and growth in the conventional arms and security andtechnology programmes and in the weapons of mass destruction workstream related

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to chemical and biological weapons. The donor income carried forward at the end of2023 was flexible and will be utilized in 2024 and 2025.
90. Details on voluntary contributions and other transfers from United Nations
system entities in 2023 and the first quarter of 2024 are included in annex II, table 3.
91. Throughout the year, UNIDIR monitored its financial situation to ensure that
expenditure did not outpace revenue. Controls included a strengthened annual
budgeting process, the provision of an annual cost plan to the United Nations Officeat Geneva, biannual financial briefings to its Board of Trustees and donors, quarterly
executive budget reviews, monthly updates on the Institute’s financial dashboard andmore robust internal controls. In collaboration with the Department of Management
Strategy, Policy and Compliance, UNIDIR also further strengthened its monitoring ofinternal controls, leading to high scores on all associated indicators.

III. Programme of work and financial plan for 2024 and 2025
92. The programme of work for 2024 was approved by the Board of Trustees at its
meeting in June 2023 (see A/78/287). It reflects the updated workplans of theInstitute’s research programmes, guided by three cross-cutting priorities:(a) strengthening multilateral disarmament processes, including with a view toaddressing the implications of new technologies; (b) continued implementation of theinitiative of the Secretary-General on Securing Our Common Future: An Agenda for
Disarmament, with a focus on efforts to reduce the impact of arms-related violenceon civilians; and (c) expanding the Institute’s engagement in different regions of theworld, including through inclusive, interactive online formats. In line with its
mandate, UNIDIR will emphasize long-term, forward-looking research and consider
the wider linkages between disarmament, conflict prevention, development andglobal security.
93. To ensure sustained high-quality, impactful research outputs and resultsoriented management, UNIDIR continues to implement its strategic research agenda
for the period 2022–2025, which was formulated in 2021. It does this while operating
a continuous review process that includes quarterly implementation reviews, impact
monitoring and reporting. The next multi-year strategic research agenda for theInstitute and corresponding workplans for individual programmes will be developedin 2024 to cover the period 2025–2030.
94. It is estimated that implementation of the Institute’s programme of work for2024 and 2025 will incur expenditure of $12.1 million and $12.3 million, respectively,
as shown in annex II, table 1.
95. To ensure financial stability and sustainability, the Institute will continue to set
aside at least 15 per cent of its annual budget for operational liquidity requirements,
composed of both programme support cost revenue and unearmarked funds.

IV. Conclusion
96. In an increasingly complex and contested security setting, the need and demand
for the independent, evidence-based and forward-looking research of UNIDIR onsome of the world’s most pressing security challenges has never been clearer.
Equipping all States with the tools and the know-how to participate effectively inmultilateral arms control and disarmament processes, providing inclusive spaces for
productive dialogue between a truly diverse array of actors in times of global tension,and building capacity and trust in the public and private domains drive practicalchange in every region of the world and demonstrate the Institute’s vital contribution
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to the broader spectrum of global peace and security diplomacy. Indeed, as the
Secretary-General remarked when addressing the Conference on Disarmament in
February 2024, “Despite the current diplomatic deadlock ... the most effective
disarmament tool is inclusive diplomacy. We need that diplomacy now – urgently.”
97. In 2023, the symbolic Doomsday Clock moved closer to midnight than everbefore, and demand for the work of UNIDIR grew markedly. At the same time,
however, financial support came from the largest and most diverse group of donors
in the Institute’s history. Despite the prevailing erosion of the disarmament, arms
control and non-proliferation architecture, this has enabled the Institute tosignificantly expand its research activities, advisory services, capacity-building workand global impact, through both the launch of five new digital tools and the
production of an unprecedented volume of events and research outputs.
98. Nevertheless, the Institute continues to rely almost exclusively on voluntary
contributions for all of its programmatic work. Today’s geopolitical landscape has
destabilized the voluntary funding environment, and unearmarked funding has
continued to decline. These issues pose a threat to the autonomy and sustainability of
the Institute’s statutory research functions and its ability to support the international
community in line with growing global demand. As such, it has never been more
important that UNIDIR receive meaningful support from the regular budget
subvention and from Member States across all regions, in particular where that
support is multi-year and unearmarked. With this backing and with the continued
enthusiasm and dedication of its diverse personnel and partners, UNIDIR can and willcontinue to deliver on its mission of building a more secure world for all.

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Annex I
Explanatory note to financial annexes
All figures shown in annex II, with the exception of voluntary contributions, arebased on the United Nations statement of financial performance for the year 2023 forthe Institute.
Revenue
Voluntary contributions

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

Other transfers and allocations

Allocations from other funds
Subvention from the United Nations regularbudget
Allocations from United Nations common system
entities

Investment revenue

Investment revenue
Bank balance interest
Realized market gain (loss)
Unrealized market gain (loss)

Other revenue

Foreign exchange gains
Other miscellaneous income

Expenses

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Employee salaries, allowancesand benefits

Staff contracts administered by the United Nations
Secretariat
Staff salaries and wages, allowances, including
taxes and education grant, home leave, family
visit, rest and recuperation and education grant
travelGeneral temporary assistance compensation andallowances

Other expert contracts and fees

Individual contractors and individual consultants
administered by the United Nations Secretariat
and the United Nations Office for Project Services

Grants and other transfers

Outright grants and other transfers to
implementing agencies and partners and otherentities

TravelTravel of staff
Travel of expert personnel
Travel of representatives

Other operating expenses

Rent, utilities
Contracted services

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Annex II
Table 1
Actual revenue and expenses for 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, and projected revenue
and expenses for 2024 and 2025
(Thousands of United States dollars)

2023

First quarterof 2024 a

2024

2025

7 338

10 19010 1908 599

10 531b

8 202

9 493

8 424

2 004

925

926

835

3

–

6

6

361

–

50

50

12 8999 127

10 475c

9 315

Employee salaries, allowances and benefits

2 226

497

1 845d1 882

Other expert contracts and fees

3 626

1 620

6 039e

6 364

1 432

25

660

f

673

770

212

1 018g

1 038

1 160

278

1 407h

1 231

i

1 119

Description

Opening balance
Revenue
Voluntary contributions
Other transfers and allocations
Investment revenue
Other revenue
Total revenue
Expenses
Direct expenditure

Grants and other transfers
TravelOther operating expenses
Programme support costs

833

782

1 097

Total expenses

10 0473 414

12 06612 307

Surplus/(deficit) for the period

2 852

5 713

(1 591)(2 992)

Closing balance

10 19015 903

8 599

5 607

a

Position as at 5 April 2024; subject to change until the closure of the March 2024 accounting period.
Includes contributions pledged in 2021 or 2022 that were for 2023 and excludes those that were pledged in
2023 for future years.
c
A conservative projected total income of approximately $10.5 million, or $1.3 million more than the projected
total for the first quarter of 2024.
d
A projected decrease of approximately $400,000 compared with 2023 due to anticipated savings from vacant
positions and an increase in use of programme support cost funds to cover institutional staff.
e
A projected increase of approximately $2.4 million compared with 2023 due to growth in full -time staff (from58 in 2023 to 71 as at 5 April 2024) and other personnel.
f
A decrease of approximately $800,000 compared with 2023 due to the transition of administration of the
project on a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction from the United Nations Office for Project
Services to the Institute.
g
A projected increase of approximately $200,000 in travel expenses compared with 2023 due to an increase inoperations.
h
A projected increase of approximately $200,000 compared with 2023 due to an increase in operations.
i
A proportionate increase in programme support costs of approximately $300,000 as per applicable United
Nations financial rules and regulations.
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Table 2
Programme support costs, revenue and expenses, 2023
(United States dollars)

Revenue a

833 112

ExpensesInstitutional personnel
United Nations Office at Geneva services

392 297b

221 736

Total expenses

614 033

Closing balancec

219 079a

The standard 13 per cent programme support cost rate is applied to most donor income
except for funds from Liberia, the European Union and United Nations agencies, for which arate of 7 per cent is applied.
b
Cost of United Nations Office at Geneva indirect service charges.
c
A portion of the 2023 closing balance is carried forward and the rest is added to theInstitute’s operational liquidity reserve.

Table 3
Details on voluntary contributions for 2023
(United States dollars)
2023

First quarter of 2024 a

Canada b

389 369

944 090China

25 000–13 915–

1 382 061

1 401 033

150 605

109 649299 81053 362

3 603 276

1 629 472

4 048

–

f

5 252

–

Indonesia

20 000

–

Iraq

3 000

–

Ireland263 924

10 400Italy

109 649–Japan

32 83482 787

Kazakhstan

10 000–Liberia

199 758–

Description

A. Voluntary contributions

Czechia
European Unionc

Finland dFranceGermanyeHoly See
Hungary

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Luxembourg

10 627–

Netherlands (Kingdom of the) g

608 900

575 000

Norway h402 091539 246

Pakistan

5 000–

Philippines

10 000

10 000

Republic of Korea

80 000470 000

Romania

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2023

First quarter of 2024 a

Russian Federation

100 000

100 000

Spain

158 228–

Sweden179 759–

Switzerland i

910 000

210 000

3 000–

Description

Türkiye
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United States of America kj

86 007–

1 182 983

1 852 131

Arms Trade Treaty secretariat l

15 057–Microsoft Corporation

200 000

215 000

Subtotal, A

10 531 639

8 202 170

HALO Trust m(6 952)–

Passthrough for Conflict Armament Research n

116 156–

B. Other transfers and allocations

International Organization for Migration

71 113–

United Nations Children’s Fund

303 493

86 497

United Nations University

313 768–

Office for Disarmament Affairso

464 025

75 100742 100

763 700

Subtotal, B

2 003 702

925 297

Total

12 535 342

9 127 467

Subvention from the United Nations regular budgetaAn additional $1.3 million is expected, mainly from regular core donors such as France, Ireland, Sweden and
Switzerland.
bIncludes $81,103 pledged by Canada in 2021 for 2023. Does not include a further $308,266 pledged in 2023
for 2024.
cPart of the conditional multi-year contributions from the European Union totalling $3.6 million. Revenue isrecognized during the course of the project as specific goods or services are provided under the terms of theagreement.
dIncludes $98,899 pledged by Finland in 2022 for 2023.
e
Does not include $1.6 million pledged by Germany in 2023 for 2024.
f
Includes $5,252 pledged by Hungary in 2022 for 2023.
g
Part of the multi-year contribution from the Kingdom of the Netherlands of $2.3 million. Does not include afurther $1.2 million pledged in 2022 for 2024 and 2025.
hPart of the multi-year contribution from Norway of $1.2 million. Does not include a further $804,182 pledged
in 2023 for 2024 and 2025.
I
Includes $60,000 pledged by Switzerland in 2021 for 2023 and $180,000 pledged in 2022 for 2023. Does notinclude a further $150,000 pledged in 2023 for 2024.
jIncludes $86,007 pledged by the United Kingdom in 2022 for 2023.
k
Part of the multi-year contribution from the United States totalling $5.2 million. Does not include $1.8 million
pledged in 2022 for 2024 and 2025 and $1.2 million pledged in 2023 for 2024 and 2025.
l
Includes $15,057 pledged by the Arms Trade Treaty secretariat in 2022 for 2023.
m
Reduction by $6,952 of a contribution of $18,952 pledged by the HALO Trust in 2021.
n
Funds from France for a one-time transfer to Conflict Armament Research.
oIncludes $32,200 pledged in 2021 for 2023 and $32,200 pledged in 2022 for 2023. Does not include a further$96,600 pledged in 2021 for 2024 and 2025.

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Annex III
Allocation and utilization of the 2023 regular budget subvention(United States dollars)

Allocation

742 100

Utilization
Director (D-2)

373 093

Executive Officer (P-5)

286 251

Quarterly briefings

37 117

3 non-OECD events

38 135

Total, utilization

734 596

Abbreviation: OECD, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

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Annex IV
2023 staffing table
Programme/job title

Grade

Number of staff

Institutional
Director

D-2

1

Deputy Director

D-1

1

Executive Officer

P-5

1Communications Officer

P-4

1

Senior Researcher/New York Liaison Officer

P-4

1

Finance and Budget Officer

P-3

1.5

Junior Professional Officer

P-2

2Communications Specialist

IICA-2

1

Team Assistant/Personal Assistant to the Director

G-4

Subtotal

0.5
10Conventional arms and ammunition
Head of Programme

P-4

1

Finance and Budget Officer

P-3

0.5

Senior Researcher

IICA-3

2

Researcher

IICA-2

3.5

Associate Researcher

IICA-1

5

Programme Assistant

IICA-1

1

Subtotal

13

Weapons of mass destruction
Head of Programme

P-4

1

Finance and Budget Officer

P-3

0.5

Senior Researcher

IICA-4

1

Senior Researcher

IICA-3

1

Researcher

IICA-2

2

Associate Researcher

IICA-1

2

Research Assistant

IICA-1

0.5

Subtotal

8

Space security
Associate Researcher

IICA-1

1

Research Assistant

IICA-1

1

Subtotal

2

Security and technology

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Head of Programme

P-4

1

Finance and Budget Officer

P-3

0.5

Senior Researcher

IICA-3

1

Researcher

IICA-2

5.5

Associate Researcher

IICA-1

1
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Programme/job title

Grade

Programme Assistant

IICA-1Team AssistantG-4

Subtotal

Number of staff

1
0.5
10.5

Gender and disarmamentHead of Programme

P-3

1

Researcher

IICA-2

1

Subtotal

2

Managing exits from armed conflict
Head of Project

IICA-3

1

Senior Researcher

IICA-3

1

Researcher

IICA-2

2

Associate Administrative Officer

P-2

Associate Researcher

IICA-1

Subtotal

0.5
3
7.5

A Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction
Head of Project

IICA-3

1

Project Coordinator

IICA-2

1

Researcher

IICA-2

1

Senior Researcher

IICA-2

Associate Administrative Officer

P-2

0.5

Research Assistant

IICA-10.5

1Subtotal

5

Total

58

Abbreviation: IICA, international individual contractor agreement.

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