The adopted its first devoted to by a of 152 in favour, 4 against and 11 abstentions, at its fiftieth . The resolution requested the Secretary-General to seek views from States and relevant stakeholders and submit a report to the Assembly. It recognized the continuing work of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons Group of Governmental Experts while opening a universal General Assembly track.
What this means for
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It expanded autonomous-weapons deliberations beyond the consensus-based CCW process to the full UN membership.
Pick a role above and this becomes the reading for that desk: what it means, what to watch, and a line you can use.
Peace & Security
- So what
- LAWS now sits in the General Assembly, not only the CCW experts’ track, shifting the politics around mandates, protection concerns and Council messaging.
- Watch for
- The Secretary-General’s report to the Assembly, based on States’ and stakeholders’ views, and how it links the new GA track with continuing CCW work.
- Use it
- Cite A/RES/78/241: the Assembly opened a universal track on lethal autonomous weapons systems while recognizing continuing CCW work.
Human Rights
- So what
- LAWS is no longer fenced inside the CCW: you can press human-rights risks, accountability and civilian-protection concerns in a universal General Assembly process as well.
- Watch for
- Track the Secretary-General’s report compiling views from States and relevant stakeholders for the Assembly, alongside the continuing CCW Group of Governmental Experts work.
- Use it
- Cite A/RES/78/241 to argue that LAWS now warrants Assembly-wide scrutiny, and submit rights-focused views when the Secretary-General seeks stakeholder input.
OPGA
- So what
- The Assembly opened a universal track on lethal autonomous weapons systems and tasked the Secretary-General to report back to Member States.
- Watch for
- Track the Secretary-General’s report requested by A/RES/78/241, based on views from States and relevant stakeholders.
- Use it
- Cite A/RES/78/241, adopted on 22 December 2023 by recorded vote. Safe line: “The Assembly opened a universal track while recognizing the CCW’s continuing work.”
Permanent Missions
- So what
- LAWS is now a two-track file: the CCW GGE continues, and the General Assembly has opened a universal track for all Member States.
- Watch for
- The Secretary-General’s requested report seeking views from States and relevant stakeholders, and whatever Assembly follow-up comes after this first dedicated LAWS resolution.
- Use it
- Cite A/RES/78/241 to brief capital: the Assembly has opened a parallel universal LAWS track; submit national views early for the Secretary-General’s report.
Development & Policy
No Development & Policy reading was written for this one: it was judged to sit outside that desk. It expanded autonomous-weapons deliberations beyond the consensus-based CCW process to the full UN membership.
Data & Digital
No Data & Digital reading was written for this one: it was judged to sit outside that desk. It expanded autonomous-weapons deliberations beyond the consensus-based CCW process to the full UN membership.
Front Office
No Front Office reading was written for this one: it was judged to sit outside that desk. It expanded autonomous-weapons deliberations beyond the consensus-based CCW process to the full UN membership.
Builders
No Builders reading was written for this one: it was judged to sit outside that desk. It expanded autonomous-weapons deliberations beyond the consensus-based CCW process to the full UN membership.
How other roles read this
Peace & Security
- So what
- LAWS now sits in the General Assembly, not only the CCW experts’ track, shifting the politics around mandates, protection concerns and Council messaging.
- Watch for
- The Secretary-General’s report to the Assembly, based on States’ and stakeholders’ views, and how it links the new GA track with continuing CCW work.
- Use it
- Cite A/RES/78/241: the Assembly opened a universal track on lethal autonomous weapons systems while recognizing continuing CCW work.
Human Rights
- So what
- LAWS is no longer fenced inside the CCW: you can press human-rights risks, accountability and civilian-protection concerns in a universal General Assembly process as well.
- Watch for
- Track the Secretary-General’s report compiling views from States and relevant stakeholders for the Assembly, alongside the continuing CCW Group of Governmental Experts work.
- Use it
- Cite A/RES/78/241 to argue that LAWS now warrants Assembly-wide scrutiny, and submit rights-focused views when the Secretary-General seeks stakeholder input.
OPGA
- So what
- The Assembly opened a universal track on lethal autonomous weapons systems and tasked the Secretary-General to report back to Member States.
- Watch for
- Track the Secretary-General’s report requested by A/RES/78/241, based on views from States and relevant stakeholders.
- Use it
- Cite A/RES/78/241, adopted on 22 December 2023 by recorded vote. Safe line: “The Assembly opened a universal track while recognizing the CCW’s continuing work.”
Permanent Missions
- So what
- LAWS is now a two-track file: the CCW GGE continues, and the General Assembly has opened a universal track for all Member States.
- Watch for
- The Secretary-General’s requested report seeking views from States and relevant stakeholders, and whatever Assembly follow-up comes after this first dedicated LAWS resolution.
- Use it
- Cite A/RES/78/241 to brief capital: the Assembly has opened a parallel universal LAWS track; submit national views early for the Secretary-General’s report.