# CCW GGE LAWS

**Type:** International governance body  
**Full Name:** Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons  
**Status:** Active (mandate expires November 2026)  
**Governance:** Consensus-based decision making among High Contracting Parties  

## Overview

The GGE LAWS is the primary international forum for negotiating governance of lethal autonomous weapons systems. Established in 2014 under the CCW framework, it has conducted 20+ sessions over 11 years without producing a binding instrument.

## Structure

- **Decision Rule:** Consensus (any single state can block progress)
- **Participants:** High Contracting Parties to the CCW
- **Output:** 'Rolling text' framework document with two-tier approach (prohibitions + regulations)
- **Key Obstacle:** US, Russia, and Israel maintain consistent opposition to binding constraints

## Current Status (2026)

- **Political Support:** UNGA Resolution A/RES/80/57 passed 164:6 (November 2025)
- **State Coalitions:** 42 states calling for formal treaty negotiations; 39 states ready to move to negotiations
- **Technical Progress:** Significant convergence on framework elements, but definitions of 'meaningful human control' remain contested
- **Structural Barrier:** Consensus rule gives veto power to small coalition of major military powers

## Timeline

- **2014** — GGE LAWS established under CCW framework
- **September 2025** — 42 states deliver joint statement calling for formal treaty negotiations; Brazil leads 39-state statement declaring readiness to negotiate
- **November 2025** — UNGA Resolution A/RES/80/57 adopted 164:6, calling for completion of CCW instrument elements by Seventh Review Conference
- **March 2-6, 2026** — First GGE session of 2026; Chair circulates new version of rolling text
- **August 31 - September 4, 2026** — Second GGE session of 2026 (scheduled)
- **November 16-20, 2026** — Seventh CCW Review Conference; final decision point on negotiating mandate

## Alternative Pathways

Human Rights Watch and Stop Killer Robots have documented the Ottawa Process model (landmines) and Oslo Process model (cluster munitions) as precedents for independent state-led treaties outside CCW consensus requirements. However, effectiveness would be limited without participation of US, Russia, and China—the states with most advanced autonomous weapons programs.

## References

- UN OODA CCW documentation
- Digital Watch Observatory
- Stop Killer Robots campaign materials
- UNGA Resolution A/RES/80/57