Nations Agree on Autonomous Weapons Document

A total of 128 states that are parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons have agreed on a document that could pave the way for international rules governing autonomous weapons. The non-binding text represents a significant step forward after more than a decade of negotiations.

These are weapon systems capable of identifying and engaging targets with varying degrees of autonomy, sometimes referred to as "killer robots". Concerns about the use of lethal autonomous weapon systems are also growing in connection with conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan and the Middle East.

The states reached a consensus following negotiations in Geneva, which dragged on into the night due to disagreements over wording. While the agreement is not legally binding, it could pave the way for formal negotiations on an international treaty.

The United States and Russia favor national rules over legally binding international regulations. Washington advocated for greater flexibility, including on issues related to human decision-making.

The organization Stop Killer Robots criticized the outcome, saying both the definition of an autonomous weapon and measures to limit potential harm to civilians appeared to have been watered down.

(Reuters, lud)