The Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems concluded its 2024–2026 mandate in Geneva, adopting its final report by consensus at a closing meeting that ran into the early hours of 5 September 2026. The report sets out “elements of an instrument” on autonomous weapon systems for consideration by the CCW Seventh Review Conference, which meets on 16–20 November 2026.
APILS welcomes this result. Reaching consensus in the present geopolitical climate was no small feat, and there were moments in the final session when it seemed out of reach. We commend the Chair, Ambassador Robert in den Bosch of the Netherlands, and his team for their patient and skilful work in steering the Group to agreement.
The report contains much to build on. For the first time, States have agreed on a characterisation of lethal autonomous weapon systems. The report affirms that control and human judgement are essential to ensuring compliance with international law, and recognises that measures to exercise such control may be taken both before and during use, a formulation we supported in our statements to the session. It also recognises that measures to ensure compliance are needed across the life cycle of these systems, from development and testing through to their use.
At the same time, we regret that the price of consensus was a weaker text. Over the course of the negotiations:
- several commitments were softened from obligations to encouragement;
- a provision calling for the legal review of significant modifications to a system was deleted;
- accountability was narrowed to the use of autonomous weapon systems rather than their full life cycle.
APILS, jointly with Utrecht University, delivered two statements at the session: on paragraphs 35–38 and on paragraphs 39, 40 and 47 of the draft.