Blog News
The Geneva Disarmament Platform is closing down
After three and a half years of promoting disarmament work and trying to inject new perspectives and working methods into the sector, the Geneva Disarmament Platform will be closing down on 30 April 2020.

After 30 April, the GDP will continue to exist as an NGO but will have no staff or operations. The website will remain available at least until the end of 2020, but it will no longer be updated
What’s on in Geneva this week? (6-10 April)
In the past few weeks we have certainly experienced interesting and challenging times as countries have taken stringent measures to address the COVID-19 global pandemic. Geneva enters its fourth week of the "stay-at-home" policy, here is a quick overview of what is no longer happening in disarmament this week

In just a few weeks, COVID-19 has interruped our lives while most activities are put on indefinite pause and it feels as if this "new normal" might continue for some time. Cartoon: first published on Latvijas Avize,(12.03.2020), by Gatis Sluka
What’s on in Geneva this week (30 March – 3 April)
In the course of a few weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the world political agenda, has had tragic human consequences and put severe strain on the global economy. It is quite hard to talk and/or think about anything else these days

As the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to spread, about a third of the global population is on lockdown while many disarmament events are cancelled or put on hold
What’s on in Geneva this week (23-27 March)
Amidst the global outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it comes as no surprise that most disarmament events scheduled for the coming weeks have now been postponed or cancelled

Seth Phillips - known from his Instagram account Dude with Sign - holding cardboard signs outlining basic protective measures against the new coronavirus. Photos: @dudewithsign
What’s on in Geneva this week? (16-20 March)
As the list of canceled or postponed meetings continues to grow in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus, there is not a whole lot of events to feature in our blog this week

Basic protective measures against the new corona virus include: washing your hands frequently, maintaining social distancing, coughing and sneezing into your elbow or a tissue, staying informed and following the advice given by your healthcare provider. Photo: Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP
What’s on in Geneva this week? (9-13 March)
Things seem to be moving in slow motion in Geneva as many events were cancelled in the past couple of days due to the COVID-19 coronavirus spread, and it seems this week will be rather quiet for disarmament. The Conference on Disarmament will continue with business as usual.

Will the CD find its way out the maze? Nothing could be less certain... The next plenary meeting is set to take place on Tuesday morning.
What’s on in Geneva this week? (2-6 March)
This week kicks off with an expert meeting on the humanitarian consequences and risks of nuclear weapons, hosted by the ICRC and IFRC. With just two months to go before the NPT Review Conference and

This week marks the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Photo: Lawrence Weiler
What’s on in Geneva this week? (24 February-1 March)
Last Friday and after a great deal of consultation on a revised "P6 package", the Conference on Disarmament finally held its first plenary meeting under the presidency of Argentina

On 24-26 February, the Conference on Disarmament holds its annual high-level segment. UN Photo by Violaine Martin
What’s on in Geneva this week? (17-21 February)
This week, there is a bit of time for the disarmament community to catch its breath as the schedule is not as busy as it has been lately. In Geneva, the Conference on Disarmament continues with business as usual (i.e. will-they-won't-they finally agree on a programme of work), with Argentina taking over the presidency

The Conference on Disarmament enters its fifth week of discussion and has yet to agree on a programme of work. (Photo: Dilbert by Scott Adams)
What’s on in Geneva this week? (10-14 February)
It is a busy week for disarmament. Without further ado, let's briefly run through the main events. The second round of consultation for the elaboration of a political declaration on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA) is taking place on Monday (Palais des Nations, room XXI). In January, Ireland circulated an Elements paper

Hosted by Ireland, the second informal meeting to address the humanitarian impact of EWIPA is taking place on Monday. Photo: ICRC