The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) was officially established in January 1998 as part of the UN Secretary-General’s reform initiative, following its earlier iterations as the Department for Disarmament Affairs (1982) and Centre for Disarmament Affairs (1992). Its roots trace back to the General Assembly’s second special session on disarmament in 1982. By 2007, it had evolved into the UNODA as we know it today. The organization collaborates with UN Member States, UN entities, and other partners to achieve the elimination of weapons of mass destruction and stringent control over conventional arms. Its mission focuses on promoting multilateral agreements, facilitating dialogue, and supporting concrete action in disarmament, arms control, and non-proliferation. The ultimate vision of UNODA is a secure world where human, national, and international safety is ensured through arms regulation, control, and elimination.

The Youth Leader Fund (YLF) is an innovative educational programme designed to empower young leaders from across the globe to actively engage in global nuclear disarmament efforts. Running from 2023 to 2030, this programme is structured in four phases, each lasting two years. The current opportunity is open for Phase II (2025–2026). Participants will begin with an engaging four-month online course covering key topics in disarmament, non-proliferation, arms control, and related global security issues. Those who complete the online component will be considered for a fully-funded, six-day in-person study tour to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Here, they will engage with survivors of atomic bombings (hibakusha), connect with fellow youth leaders, and collaboratively host a youth-led event. Additionally, participants will undertake community-based awareness initiatives and may serve as mentors for future cohorts. The programme uniquely emphasizes storytelling and communication as powerful advocacy tools, particularly appealing to youth from media and journalism backgrounds.