IGF 2024

Cybersecurity is a key issue in the global Internet Governance Ecosystem. Cybersecurity is challenged by cybercriminals and cyberattacks against critical infrastructure. But since more than a decade we see also the development of artificial intelligence- based weapon systems which have the potential to undermine both international peace and security as well as the functioning of the Internet.
The Open Forum will discuss recent developments and new perspectives of the need for regulation of Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS). The 79th UN General Assembly in October discussed the AWS Report of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres published in July 2024 pursuant to the UN Resolution , introduced by Austria in 2023, and supported by the overwhelming majority of UN member states. This year, the UN General Assembly adopted two resolutions: the follow up resolution sponsored by Austria and a cross-regional group of co-sponsors, which is aimed to intensify the AWS discussion and another one sponsored by the Netherlands and the Republic of Korea together with a cross-regional group of co-sponsors on the application of AI in the military domain more broadly, which goes beyond AWS. For 2025, the UN will organize a two-day multi-istakeholder informal consultation on AWS. The call of the UN Secretary General and the ICRC President, supported by many states, to conclude negotiations on a legally binding instrument on AWS by 2026 is still on the table.
The Open Forum will discuss recent developments and new perspectives of the need for regulation of Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS). The 79th UN General Assembly in October discussed the AWS Report of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres published in July 2024 pursuant to the UN Resolution , introduced by Austria in 2023, and supported by the overwhelming majority of UN member states. This year, the UN General Assembly adopted two resolutions: the follow up resolution sponsored by Austria and a cross-regional group of co-sponsors, which is aimed to intensify the AWS discussion and another one sponsored by the Netherlands and the Republic of Korea together with a cross-regional group of co-sponsors on the application of AI in the military domain more broadly, which goes beyond AWS. For 2025, the UN will organize a two-day multi-istakeholder informal consultation on AWS. The call of the UN Secretary General and the ICRC President, supported by many states, to conclude negotiations on a legally binding instrument on AWS by 2026 is still on the table.