Global Report on the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems by Non-State Armed Groups for Terrorism-related Purposes
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and Conflict Armament Research (CAR) launched a Global Report on the Acquisition, Weaponization, and Deployment of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) by Non-State Armed Groups for Terrorism-related Purposes.
This report aims to raise global awareness about the risks and threats posed by the proliferation of UAS, including their utilization for terrorism-related activities. It is designed to improve the understanding and readiness of Member States to prevent, counter, and mitigate threats associated with UAS.
Emerging from a multi-phased research initiative by UNOCT*s Global Counter-Terrorism Programme on Autonomous and Remotely Operated Systems (AROS Programme) and in partnership with CAR, this report provides a comprehensive analysis of global trends and developments in the acquisition, weaponization, deployment, prevention, and counteraction of UAS. It also contributes in the development of a global baseline for national experiences.
The research leading to the report was informed by:
- a questionnaire distributed to Member States, International Organizations and national institutions
- interviews with UN entities, civil society, and the private sector
- a 3-day series of technical expert consultations convened by UNOCT and CAR (Jan 2023)
This document serves as a key contribution of the AROS Programme to support the ongoing initiatives of the General Assembly and Security Council to address the challenges posed by emerging technologies for terrorism-related purposes, such as the Abu Dhabi Declaration (2023), the Delhi Declaration (2022), and the 8th review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (2023).
The realization of this report was made feasible through the generous support of the United Arab Emirates.
For additional information
- Please contact oct-aros@un.org
- Read the report here