The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), an inter-governmental organisation within United Nations, conduct research on disarmament, non-proliferation and security in order to support the international community in its thinking and its initiatives.

UNIDIR examines topical questions as well as future problems in fields as different as nuclear weapon free zones, security in extra atmospheric outer space, tactical nuclear weapons, refugee security, computer warfare, confidence’s measures at a regional level or light and small-bore weapons. On this last account, UNIDIR is founder member of Geneva Process on the small weapons.

Collaborating with researchers, diplomats, governmental officials, non-governmental organisations and other institutions, UNIDIR is used as a link between the researchers’ community and United Nations Member States. The Institute’s activities are financed by the contributions of governments and different institutions.

UNIDIR is head of Patricia LEWIS (director) and Christophe CARLE (deputy director), who is French.

UNIDIR is based in Geneva, primary centre for security and disarmament negotiations, home of the Disarmament Conference.

France has been giving a constant support to the Institute since the founding of UNIDIR and remains one of the principal contributors of the Institute.

www.unidir.org