The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Dr Patryk Pawlak to the Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters. The fifteen members of the Board, who serve in their personal capacity, are selected by the Secretary-General from all regions of the world based on their knowledge and experience in the field of disarmament and international security.
The Board advises the Secretary-General on matters within the area of arms limitation and disarmament, including on studies and research under the auspices of the United Nations or institutions within the UN system. Members of the Advisory Board also serve as the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR).
Commenting on his appointment, Dr Pawlak stated: “Weapons and armament are never a solution. And yet, over the last decade global military spending grew by 19 per cent between 2013 and 2022. It has now reached a record high of $2.24 trillion dollars. At the same time, whether in Ukraine or Gaza, we see that new technologies and weapons systems are used without respect for international law and with disregard to the human suffering they cause. These trends require us urgently to look into contemporary and future conflicts and how developments in science and technology impact disarmament, non-proliferation, and arms control. I look forward to exploring these and other related issues alongside the other distinguished members of the Board”.
Dr Pawlak has extensive experience in research and policy advice on international security aspects in the use of information and communications technologies, including in the context of the UN First Committee on disarmament and international security matters. He is a visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe.
Learn more about the 'Global initiative on the future of the Internet' led by by Dr Pawlak at the Global Governance Programme of the Robert Schuman Centre.