What are "conventional weapons"?

Conventional weapons are weapons that are not considered weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, which are regulated through separate international treaties. Conventional weapons include everything from rifles and tanks to missiles, artillery and bombs.

Why is the agreement called the Convention on "Certain" Conventional Weapons?

The Convention does not regulate all conventional weapons. It focuses on specific types of weapons that raise humanitarian concerns because they can cause excessive suffering or continue harming civilians long after a conflict has ended. Its rules cover issues such as landmines, blinding laser weapons as well as unexploded bombs and grenades left behind after wars.

What is the purpose of the Seventh Review Conference?

Every five years, countries meet to assess whether the Convention still reflects today’s realities. They review how existing agreements are being implemented and discuss emerging military technologies. From 16 to 20 November 2026, the parties will meet for the seventh time to review the Convention. 

What will be discussed?

A pressing issue is the ongoing development of so-called "lethal autonomous weapon systems" — weapons that select and attack targets independently, without any need for human intervention. Given the grave consequences, the international community needs to assess who is accountable for military decisions that have been taken by machines, how much human control we need to maintain and whether these weapons should be forbidden altogether.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, together with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, already turned to States earlier in 2026, requesting the urgent establishment of clear restrictions on autonomous weapon systems. 

What is the Group of Governmental Experts and what is its role?

The Group of Governmental Experts was established by countries that signed the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. It brings together government representatives, military experts, lawyers and researchers, NGOs, and technical specialists to study emerging issues and develop recommendations.

Since 2024, the Group has focused on autonomous weapon systems. It presented its findings in September 2026, which identified possible provisions for future rules, including on maintaining human responsibility for the use of force and ensuring that autonomous weapons comply with international law. The report will be the basis for discussions at the Review Conference. 

What might come out of the Conference?

The conference will help determine how autonomous weapons and military uses of artificial intelligence should be governed in the future. Depending on each country’s stance, this could be the starting point for further negotiations on a legal framework for weapons run by artificial intelligence.