Editing Office - Geneva

Armed violence patterns are evolving quickly . Major armed conflict no longer takes place on the front of the battlefield and has increased the number of villages, towns, and cities. Moreover, the intensity of terrorism, violent crime and civil turmoil is blurring the lines between conflict and non-conflict. Worldwide, more than half a million people die in violent conflict (82%) in non-conflict settings, mostly in towns and cities. [1] The impact of such violence is extremely diverse, ranging from injuries, or psychological harm to long-term effects such as mass displacement, deprivation of access to health and education, and impediments to investment and economic growth.

Urbanization of both conflict and non-conflict, compared to 60 per cent of the world's population is expected to live in urban areas by 2030 and that 90 per cent of this urban development is projected to take place in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. [2] Are States, Communities and Multilateral Institutions Prepared and Facilitated? Saving lives and protecting the people of the United Nations General Secretary's Agenda for Disarmament. Urban violence endangers the lives of civilians, affects the resilience and wellbeing of communities and their efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Yet understanding and responding to urban violence is challenging, as this phenomenon is heterogeneous. It is primarily a state-centric approach and is designed to support national standards . For example, explosive weapons and emerging technologies, explosive weapons and emerging technologies, and the regulatory and doctrinal frameworks have been developed primarily for inter-state conflict frameworks and processes. 

Scope of Research

In light of this, what could be better prevented, reduced or mitigated in its effects? UNIDIR is currently exploring a research approach to the topic of urban violence: a) analysis and diagnosis of the problem and its effects; 2) identify how arms control-related tools and approaches can contribute to reducing and mitigating the effects of violence; and 3) develop policy proposals to support preventative actions. This approach will be based on the Institute's experience and researchsmall arms and light weapons and their ammunition and explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA) .

1- What are the profiles of illicit small arms and ammunition in circulation and in misuse in regions? How are they enforcing urban violence (ie what are the enabling factors and characteristics) in conflict and non-conflict settings?

2- What is the extent of the effects of explosive weapons in populated areas , including direct and indirect costs, as well as their long-term impact? How can actors document and assess the effects of EWIPA and the effects of non-conflict settings?

3- To what extent do Existing arms control tools and instruments need to be revised and adapté to Effectively sponds to urban violence (ie what policies and regulations Could Be adjusted to be effective in urban environments)?

4- What are the challenges to addressing existing guidelines, principles and practices on the use of lethal force in urban environments (in conflict and non-conflict settings)?

OCHA, OHCHR, WHO, UNDP, UNODA, UN Habitat, World Bank and other specialized civil society organizations and academia. The initial focus of this research may be case study examinations of urban violence in cities in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.