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Related news: Weapons of mass destruction

SIPRI delivers intensive online course on chemical and biological weapons

On 28–31 May, SIPRI and the European Union Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC) delivered an intensive online introductory course on chemical and biological weapons for graduate and postgraduate students. Participants learned about the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons, efforts to eliminate them, and the various mechanisms used to control their spread, as well as endeavours to reduce the risk of chemical or biological agents in terrorist attacks.

Addressing the challenges posed by chemical and biological weapons: Intensive online introductory course for students of technical disciplines

mso-themecolor:text1">SIPRI and the European Union Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC) invite graduate and postgraduate students of the technical or natural science disciplines to apply for an intensive online introductory course on chemical and biological weapons—their proliferation, the efforts to eliminate them, the various mechanisms used to control their spread—and

SIPRI at the 12th Consultative Meeting of the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium

On 12 and 15 June 2023, SIPRI took part in the 12th Consultative Meeting of the European Union Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC). The Consultative Meeting, which is funded by the EU, was organized by the Foundation for Strategic Research and gathered representatives of the EU, its member states and think tanks. 

Former SIPRI Vice Chair Jayantha Dhanapala—in memoriam

SIPRI mourns the passing of Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala, former Vice Chair of the SIPRI Governing Board and former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs. Ambassador Dhanapala passed away at the age of 85.

Dan Smith, SIPRI Director, said, ‘Jayantha was a monumental figure who has had a lasting impact on the field of non-proliferation and disarmament. He was a skilled diplomat with an astonishingly broad range of knowledge on disarmament affairs.’

SIPRI to co-host WMD non-proliferation and disarmament pathways online course with a focus on nuclear and aerospace engineering

SIPRI and the European Union Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC) are pleased to host a second installment of the intensive introductory course on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), mechanisms to control their further spread and pathways to disarmament. The course will take place on 2–5 May 2023 online.

Statement by Dan Smith, SIPRI Director: Suspending the New START treaty benefits nobody

(Stockholm, 22 February 2023) Yesterday, in his State of the Nation address, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would suspend its participation in New START, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between the world’s two nuclear superpowers: Russia and the United States.

SIPRI and EUNPDC co-host intensive course on ‘WMD Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Pathways’

On 6–8 December 2022, SIPRI and the European Union Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC) hosted an intensive introductory course on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), mechanisms to control their further spread and pathways to disarmament.

Global nuclear arsenals are expected to grow as states continue to modernize–New SIPRI Yearbook out now

(Stockholm, 13 June 2022) SIPRI today launches the findings of SIPRI Yearbook 2022, which assesses the current state of armaments, disarmament and international security. A key finding is that despite a marginal decrease in the number of nuclear warheads in 2021, nuclear arsenals are expected to grow over the coming decade.

Global nuclear arsenals grow as states continue to modernize–New SIPRI Yearbook out now

(Stockholm, 14 June 2021) SIPRI today launches the findings of SIPRI Yearbook 2021, which assesses the current state of armaments, disarmament and international security. A key finding is that despite an overall decrease in the number of nuclear warheads in 2020, more have been deployed with operational forces.

Recent advances in artificial intelligence contribute to nuclear risk—new SIPRI report

Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) contribute to nuclear risk according to a new report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The authors warn that nuclear-armed states’ competition in military AI and premature adoption of AI in nuclear weapons and related capabilities could have a negative impact on strategic stability and increase the likelihood of nuclear weapon use. The report proposes AI-specific nuclear risk reduction measures and is now available now.

 

SIPRI presents new reports at the Non-Proliferation Treaty PrepCom in New York

SIPRI discussed two new reports at the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) for the 2020 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, held at the United Nations in New York on 29 April–10 May 2019.

The reports cover perspectives on the impact of artificial intelligence on strategic stability and nuclear risk, and the operationalization of nuclear disarmament verification.

Artificial intelligence, strategic stability and nuclear risk: Euro-Atlantic perspectives—new SIPRI report

Ahead of the 2019 Preparatory Committee for the 2020 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York, SIPRI is pleased to announce the release of a new edited volume, the first in a trilogy on regional perspectives, ‘The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Strategic Stability and Nuclear Risk: Euro-Atlantic Perspectives’. Companion volumes offering perspectives from East Asia and South Asia are forthcoming.

Emerging technologies pose challenges to the control of biological weapons, new SIPRI report

(Berlin/Stockholm, 14 March 2019) Advances in additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence and robotics could increase the possibilities for the development, production and use of biological weapons. The existing biological arms control and non-proliferation governance framework needs to be adapted to address these security risks, according to a new report from SIPRI.

The landscape of arms control: Perspectives from Russia—new film series from SIPRI

SIPRI has produced a new series of films that provide Russian perspectives on the landscape of arms control. The interviewees give their assessments of the current obstacles facing the arms control agenda and ways to overcome them. The interviews were recorded in Moscow in October 2018 during a conference co-hosted by SIPRI and IMEMO.

Ahead of the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony: SIPRI, nuclear weapons and the state of disarmament

Disarmament issues have been at the core of SIPRI’s work since its foundation in 1966. On 10 December 2017, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) will formally receive the Nobel Peace Prize at a ceremony in Oslo. Ahead of the ceremony, SIPRI is pleased to present a primer on the state of nuclear weapons and disarmament.

Global nuclear weapons: Modernization remains the priority

(Stockholm, 3 July 2017) The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) today launches its annual nuclear forces data, which highlights the current trends and developments in world nuclear arsenals. The data shows that while the overall number of nuclear weapons in the world continues to decline, all of the nuclear weapon-possessing states are in the process of modernizing their nuclear arsenals and will not be prepared to give them up for the foreseeable future.

Global nuclear weapons: downsizing but modernizing

(Stockholm, 13 June 2016) The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) today launches its annual nuclear forces data, which highlights the current trends and developments in world nuclear arsenals. The data shows that while the overall number of nuclear weapons in the world continues to decline, none of the nuclear weapon-possessing states are prepared to give up their nuclear arsenals for the foreseeable future.

Nuclear force reductions and modernizations continue; peace operations increase—new SIPRI Yearbook out now

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) today launches the findings of SIPRI Yearbook 2015, which assesses the current state of armaments, disarmament and international security. Key findings include: (1) all the nuclear weapon-possessing states are working to develop new nuclear weapon systems and/or upgrade their existing ones; and (2) the number of personnel deployed with peace operations worldwide continues to fall while the number of peace operations increases.

 

SIPRI hosts workshop on a successful outcome of the 2015 NPT Review Conference

On 1 April 2015 SIPRI, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden and the Permanent Representation of Sweden to International Organizations in Vienna, held a workshop on promoting a successful outcome of the 2015 NPT Review Conference at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.

Nuclear forces reduced while modernizations continue, says SIPRI

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) today launches its annual nuclear forces data, which assesses the current trends and developments in world nuclear arsenals. The data shows that while the overall number of nuclear weapons in the world continues to decline, none of the nuclear weapon-possessing states are prepared to give up their nuclear arsenals for the foreseeable future.

Nuclear force reductions and modernizations continue; drop in peacekeeping troops; no progress in cluster munitions control—new SIPRI Yearbook out now

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) today launches the findings of SIPRI Yearbook 2013, which assesses the current state of international security, armaments and disarmament. Key findings include: (a) alone among the five legally recognized nuclear weapon states, China expanded its nuclear arsenal in 2012; (b)the number of personnel deployed with peace operations worldwide is falling rapidly, due to the withdrawal from Afghanistan; and (c) progress towards a global ban on cluster munitions stalled in 2012.

 

Arab Spring redefines conflict; 'fewer but newer' nuclear weapons; peacekeeping numbers plateau—new SIPRI Yearbook out now

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) today launches the findings of SIPRI Yearbook 2012, which assesses the current state of international security, armaments and disarmament.
 

Key findings include: 

  • Upheavals in the Middle East and North Africa in 2011 highlighted the changing character of contemporary armed conflict
     

3D Printing Missiles on Demand? Additive Manufacturing as a Challenge to the Missile Technology Control Regime

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This webinar brings together a distinguished panel of technical and policy experts to discuss the challenges additive manufacturing (AM) poses to export controls, and how they can be addressed through national and multilateral export control instruments such as the MTCR.

Perspectives on the arms control agenda in 2021: Obstacles and opportunities

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The conversation will explore the current state of nuclear arms control and disarmament efforts, looking ahead to the NPT Review Conference in August. It will also be an opportunity to discuss the latest developments in the control of chemical and biological weapons, emerging technologies and international arms transfers.