Disarmament and International Security Committee

In today’s rapidly changing security environment, the rise of Private Military Companies (PMCs) poses a major challenge to international peace and stability. These corporate entities provide military services — from logistical support and training missions to full-scale combat operations — and are often hired by governments, international organizations, and even non-state actors. As warfare becomes more privatized, PMCs have gained increasing influence in conflict zones around the world. Due to their ambiguous legal status, many PMCs operate in a grey zone where international humanitarian law and the laws of armed conflict are difficult to apply. They have been linked to cases of abuse, civilian casualties, and even involvement in organized crime, such as arms, drug, and human trafficking. Their influence can rival that of national militaries, and their lack of accountability raises serious concerns about transparency, sovereignty, and the erosion of state monopoly on the legitimate use of force. Given the increasing role of PMCs in both regional and global conflicts, the international community can no longer afford to ignore their impact. DISEC must take the lead in evaluating the use of PMCs, considering options for global oversight, regulation, and the development of binding legal frameworks that define their permissible roles in warfare. It is essential that member states work together to ensure PMCs support stability, rather than act as destabilizing mercenary forces in the world’s most fragile regions.

In the evolving landscape of global conflict, traditional warfare is rapidly being overshadowed by new and sophisticated methods. Autonomous drones powered by artificial intelligence, and large-scale cyberattacks targeting critical national infrastructure represent only a few of the emerging threats facing the international community today. These technologies are no longer speculative — they are already being developed, deployed, and tested in conflict zones and geopolitical confrontations. Cyberattacks have the power to paralyze entire governments, financial systems, and communication networks; and the use of AI in unmanned combat systems raises serious concerns about accountability, targeting, and compliance with international humanitarian law. The decentralized nature of these new methods of war makes them particularly difficult to trace, deter, and regulate. Unlike conventional arms, these weapons do not require large-scale manufacturing or distribution networks, making them more accessible to state and non-state actors alike — including terrorist organizations, militias, and rogue nations. Given the destabilizing potential of these technologies, it is imperative that the United Nations takes urgent and unified action.