Global discussions on the regulation of autonomous weapons systems, often referred to as “killer robots,” are gaining traction. A recent United Nations General Assembly meeting held in New York on May 12-13, 2025, brought together officials from 96 countries, UN agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and various nongovernmental organizations. The meeting aimed to address concerns about these advanced technologies.
Mary Wareham of Human Rights Watch emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues: “Dozens of states expressed grave concerns and alarm about removing human control from weapons systems.” She urged nations to begin negotiations for a treaty this year.
Autonomous weapons systems are designed to operate without human intervention. Once activated, they rely on software and sensors to identify targets and can engage them without human approval. This has raised significant ethical, legal, humanitarian, security, and technological challenges.
During the UN meeting, many states advocated for a new international treaty that would prohibit unpredictable autonomous weapons systems. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger called for a legally binding instrument banning such weapons by 2026.
More than 120 countries support negotiating a treaty that prohibits and regulates autonomous weapons systems. The proposed regulations aim to ensure meaningful human control over these technologies.
The General Assembly resolution mandating this meeting was adopted in December 2024 with overwhelming support but faced opposition from Belarus, North Korea, and Russia. Discussions at previous meetings under the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) have been stalled due to consensus decision-making requirements.
Sierra Leone’s foreign minister Musa Timothy Kabba highlighted the global nature of the risks posed by autonomous weapons systems: “It is essential that all UN member states… participate fully in shaping the rules governing these emerging technologies.”
Human Rights Watch distributed a report titled “A Hazard to Human Rights” during the meeting. It argues that autonomous weapons systems contravene fundamental human rights principles during both peacetime and conflict.
Several countries voiced concerns about accountability gaps associated with these technologies. Algeria pointed out their potential threat to life by removing human judgment from lethal force decisions. Austria, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, among others, noted difficulties in holding individuals accountable for violations caused by machines.
Human Rights Watch co-founded the Stop Killer Robots campaign advocating for an international treaty ensuring meaningful human control over force use. Mary Wareham concluded: “Countries need to go beyond simply stating their concerns and begin immediate treaty negotiations.”
