Arms Control, Peace and Security

"The Broken Chair", a monument to landmine victims and symbolic appeal for respect for human rights in front of Place des Nations in Geneva — Creator: Handicap-International

In the current geopolitical climate, with an increasing number of conflicts around the world, violations of international law as well as growing military spending, multilateral arms control is often dismissed as a relic of the past. But defence capabilities and arms control are not opposites.

As a multilateral hub, Geneva has hosted landmark agreements, from the Geneva Conventions to treaties banning anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions, regulating arms transfers and preventing diversion.

We bring together governments, experts, civil society and academia to protect existing regimes, address emerging technologies and develop fair, effective and future-oriented norms. The programme supports Germany, Europe and its partners in strengthening multilateralism, building coalitions and preserving space for diplomacy.

Because affected states, communities and civilians bear the greatest consequences of weapons use, their perspectives must shape current and future regulations. We work with civil society and international actors in conflict zones to ensure arms control processes are inclusive and context-specific.

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Publication & Podcast Series “Building Back Better: A Call for Courage”

Small plant growing through cracks in worn asphalt — Creator: Photocase: Nordreisender

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Arms Control, Peace and Security
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The Negative Impacts of Cluster Munitions and Findings from the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions

Cluster munitions scatter unexploded bomblets, maim civilians and block farmland long after conflicts end. The Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions assessed progress and reaffirmed commitment to this life-saving...

Installation of a bomb casing releasing bomblets above the Third Review Conference stage in Vientiane. — Creator: FES Geneva

2026
Arms Control, Peace and Security
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As the world rearms, Geneva keeps diplomacy alive

National defense budgets are climbing amid rising geopolitical tensions, but multilateral diplomacy on arms trade control and new military and defense technology has not gone quiet in Geneva.

A row of international flags on flagpoles symbolizing multilateralism and diplomacy. — Creator: Dom Free on Pexels

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Arms Control, Peace and Security
2020

Series of Virtual Consultations on the Arms Trade Treaty

"Arms Diversion”: The fourth and last consultation of the series focused on arms diversion.

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Publications

Reconstruir mejor

Bartmann, Yvonne (Hrsg.) ; Lienert, Salome | Berlin : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Politica Global y Desarrollo ; Geneva : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Geneva Office, Octubre de 2020

un llamamiento a ser valientes

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Reconstruire en mieux

Bartmann, Yvonne (Hrsg.) ; Lienert, Salome (Hrsg.) | Berlin : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Politique Globale et Développement ; Geneva : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Geneva Office, Octobre 2020

un appel au courage

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Building back better

Bartmann, Yvonne (Hrsg.) ; Lienert, Salome (Hrsg.) | Berlin : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Global Policy and Development ; Geneva : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Geneva Office, October 2020

a call for courage

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Economic, social and cultural rights and sustaining peace

Cahill-Ripley, Amanda ; Hendrick, Diane | Geneva, Switzerland : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Geneva Office ; Lancaster, United Kingdom : Lancaster University Law School ; Geneva, Switzerland : Quaker United Nations Office Geneva, [2018]

an introduction