Final Document of the Sixth Review Conference - Consideration and adoption of the final documents

Sep 1, 2026

Upload by Kyle

The document records the consideration and adoption process for the final texts of the Sixth Review Conference under the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW). It provides historical context by summarizing prior review conferences’ decisions on regular five-year review practice, then explains how COVID-19 affected meetings and how technical decisions scheduled preparatory work and the conference dates. It also details organization in Geneva, including leadership, agenda, rules of procedure, program of work, committee structure, and elected officials.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatDOCX

Pages27

Reading Time9 min

AccessFree to download

Part I - Introduction

Background on previous CCW Review Conferences

COVID-19 impact and scheduling of the Sixth Review Conference

II - Organization of the Sixth Review Conference

Opening and leadership confirmations

Agenda, rules of procedure, and programme of work

Committee structure and elected officials

Geneva, 13–17 December 2021 Agenda item 20 Consideration and adoption of the final documents Final Document of the Sixth Review Conference Part I I. Introduction The First Review Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (CCW) agreed, inter alia, that “future review conferences should be held more frequently, with consideration to be given to holding a review conference every five years.” (CCW/CONF.I/16, Part I, Annex III, Final Declaration, Article 8). The Second Review Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention agreed, inter alia, that future review conferences should continue to be held on a regular basis. In this connection, the Conference decided, consistent with Article 8.3 (c) of the Convention, “to convene a further Conference five years following the entry into force of the amendments adopted at the Second Review Conference, but in any case not later than 2006, with preparatory meetings starting as early as 2005, if necessary.” (CCW/CONF.II/2, Part II, Final Declaration, Article 8). The Third Review Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention “[...] recalled their agreement reached by the Second Review Conference in 2001 in reviewing Article 8 of the Convention.” (CCW/CONF.III/11, Part II, Article 8). The Fourth Review Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (CCW) agreed that “review conferences should continue to be held on a regular basis”, as contained in paragraph 3 of the review of Article 8 of the Convention as stipulated in its Final Document (CCW/CONF.IV/4/Add.1)5. The Fifth Review Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (CCW) recalled the “agreement reached at all four previous Review Conferences that such conferences should continue to be held on a regular basis,” as contained in paragraph 50 of its Final Document (CCW/CONF.V/10). Due to the extraordinary circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Meeting of the High Contracting Parties, originally planned to be held in 2020, did not take place, and technical decisions (CCW/2020/1) were adopted through a silence procedure on 3rd May 2021. Paragraph 3(f) of the decisions stipulated that the Sixth Review Conference would be held from 13 to 17 December 2021, and that its Preparatory Committee would meet from 6 to 8 September 2021. The decisions also designated Ambassador Yann Hwang of France, Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament, as President of the Sixth Review Conference. II. Organization of the Sixth Review Conference The Sixth Review Conference was held in Geneva from 13 to 17 December 2021. On 13 December 2021, the Conference was opened by Ambassador Robbert Gabriëlse, Chairperson of the 2020 Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention. At its first plenary meeting, on 13 December 2021, the Conference confirmed the nomination by acclamation of Ambassador Yann Hwang of France as President of the Sixth Review Conference. The Conference adopted its Agenda as recommended by technical decisions of 3 May 2021 (CCW/2020/1) and endorsed by the Preparatory Committee (CCW/CONF.VI/PC/3). The Conference adopted the Rules of Procedure, as recommended by the Preparatory Committee of the Sixth Review Conference (CCW/CONF.VI/PC/3). The Conference confirmed the nomination of Ms. Radha Day, Chief of Service a.i. of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, Geneva Branch, as the Secretary General of the Sixth Review Conference. Ms. Heegyun Jung, Political Affai

FAQs

What does the document focus on regarding the Sixth Review Conference?

It covers the consideration and adoption of the final documents for the Sixth Review Conference, including how the conference’s final texts were prepared and adopted.

How did COVID-19 affect the CCW review process leading to the Sixth Review Conference?

The 2020 meeting did not take place due to COVID-19, and technical decisions were adopted through a silence procedure on 3 May 2021, which set the schedule for the Sixth Review Conference and preparatory committee.

Which committees were established for organizing work during the Sixth Review Conference?

The conference distributed its work between Main Committees I and II, with Committee I handling the convention’s scope and annexed protocols and preparation of final documents, and Committee II addressing proposals for additional protocols and emerging technologies related to LAWS.

Sep 1, 2026

Upload by Kyle