From 1 to 5 September 2025, the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (GGE LAWS) met for its second 2025 session. During this session, delegations continued to refine a rolling text containing the elements of a possible instrument on lethal autonomous weapon systems. The rolling text contains five sections or “boxes”, grouping thematically linked elements.
APILS engaged actively in the development of the rolling text. With reference to the 12 May version of the text, we made the following interventions:
- Statement on Box I (characterisation of lethal autonomous weapon systems);
- Statement on Box II (applicability of humanitarian law and the need for human involvement to ensuring compliance);
- Statement on Box III, paragraphs 1–5 (prohibitions and requirements);
- Statement on Box III, paragraph 6 (measures to ensure legal compliance in use);
- Statement on Box IV (measures to ensure legal compliance across the lifecycle, including legal reviews);
- Joint Statement on Box V (accountability and responsibility; with Utrecht University).
On 3 September, the Chair issued a revised text of Box I, on which we also made an intervention (Statement on Revised Box I).
On 5 September, the Chair issues a further revised text of Box, on which we made a further intervention (Joint Statement on Revised Box I).
