13. Conventional arms control and regulation of new weapon technologies

Chapter:

13. Conventional arms control and regulation of new weapon technologies

Source:

SIPRI Yearbook 2021

Author(s):

Laura Bruun, Ian Davis, Nivedita Raju, Luke Richards, Pieter D. Wezeman, Siemon T. Wezeman

Conventional arms control by states usually falls within one of two broad approaches: limiting or prohibiting weapons considered to be inhumane or indiscriminate; or regulating and managing the procurement, production, transfers and trade of weapons, with a view to preventing their destabilizing accumulation, diversion or misuse. The first category includes the 1981 Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) Convention, the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine (APM) Convention and the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM). The second category includes the 2013 Arms Trade Treaty (ATT, see chapter 14). Other categories of weapon are not covered by a specific treaty. In some of these cases, states may consider a new treaty or—as in the case of lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS)—extension of the coverage of an existing regime. In cases where this approach has failed, states may consider alternative, less formal approaches—as in the case of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA). In more complex cases—such as the regulation of cyberspace or activity in space—the most appropriate approach may be the subject of intense debate.