EU as reliable partner supporting non-proliferation of lethal weapons
The European Union is one of the world’s largest donors to disarmament and non-proliferation efforts.
Since 2007 the EU has donated €450m to counter the spread of deadly weapons worldwide.
In particular, a large amount of funding is used to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) such as nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.
Considerable effort is also directed to preventing the spread of small arms, landmines and new lethal autonomous technologies, amongst other things.
EU diplomacy is a reliable contributor to worldwide efforts to counter the spread of WMDs, other weapons and for Arms Export Control.
To promote disarmament and non-proliferation, the EU works with governments, NGOs and multilateral organisations like the UN.
The EU’s efforts are grounded in its foundational commitment to peace, multilateralism and international law. Ensuring security and peace around the globe are our top priorities. In this spirit, our daily work contributes to the international community endeavours to prevent the spread and use of weapons that pose the greatest threats to human life. - Special Envoy for Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, Stephan Klement
Arms control partnerships
The EU engagement includes
- Funding for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) , which is responsible for preventing terrorist access to radioactive materials.
- Partnering with UN, International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), and NGOs for the eradication of landmines and cluster munitions in places like Colombia, Iraq and Laos.
- Pushing for modernised arms control agreements across the cyber, space and Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS) domains
- Pushing for sanctions and increasing diplomatic pressure at the international level for example with Russia, due to their war of aggression against Ukraine
- Funding arms interdiction programmes with international organisations such as Europol
Learn more about the EU’s non-proliferation programmes to prevent weapons of mass destruction from spreading by following this link to the page about Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Export Control
Europe as a reliable partner
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