UN official explains treaty stages and the depository's role after questions on autonomous weapons and other instruments

A reporter asked when a treaty on autonomous weapons might appear and why one has not yet been adopted. David Nanopoulos said he could not answer on negotiations: "If there is such a treaty one day, we will then intervene to allow states to sign and ratify it." He outlined three stages for treaties: negotiation (where political momentum and a forum are needed), adoption (a text is agreed), and participation (states join, ratify and implement).

Nanopoulos emphasized the depository's function is focused on participation after a treaty is adopted and that launching negotiations or deciding post-adoption implementation is outside his office's mandate. He repeated that the Office works "between the negotiation and the implementation" and will facilitate signature and ratification when instruments are opened.