- Establishment: The United Nations Disarmament Commission (UNDC) was established in 1952 as a subsidiary body of the UN General Assembly. Its primary purpose is to promote arms control and disarmament efforts globally.
- Mandate: The UNDC is tasked with considering various issues related to disarmament and making recommendations to the General Assembly. It meets annually and operates by consensus.
- Composition: The Commission is composed of all UN member states, and each member state has an equal vote in its proceedings.
- Three Working Groups: The UNDC typically organises its work through three working groups:
- Recommendations: The UNDC’s recommendations and reports do not have legally binding force. However, they serve as important guidelines and contribute to shaping global discussions on disarmament and arms control..
- Nuclear Disarmament: One of the significant goals of the UNDC is nuclear disarmament, aiming to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons worldwide.
- Disarmament and Development: The Commission recognizes the important link between disarmament and sustainable development, emphasising the potential for redirecting resources from military spending to development programs.