Austria

Wants a treaty, terms open (LBI-OPEN), since 2018-08-30, stated directly (EXPLICIT)

Supports negotiating a treaty but has not said what it should prohibit.

Austria, with Brazil and Chile, formally proposed that the Geneva convention start negotiating a treaty to guarantee meaningful human control. The proposal did not yet say what the treaty should ban.

The 2018 working paper proposes a mandate to negotiate a legally binding instrument.

negotiate a legally-binding instrument to ensure meaningful human control over critical functions in lethal autonomous weapon systems

Proposal for a Mandate to Negotiate a Legally-binding Instrument that addresses the Legal, Humanitarian and Ethical Concerns posed by Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (CCW/GGE.2/2018/WP.7), 2018-08-30 source

Wants a treaty with bans (LBI-BAN), since 2024-04-30, stated directly (EXPLICIT)

As chair of the April 2024 Vienna conference, and in its submission to the UN Secretary-General, Austria said it supports a treaty made of prohibitions and regulations, to be concluded by 2026. Austria started the UN resolution track in 2023 and voted Yes on all three resolutions.

The chair's summary affirms commitment to an international legal instrument on autonomous weapons systems.

affirms our strong commitment to work with urgency and with all interested stakeholders for an international legal instrument to regulate autonomous weapons systems

Humanity at the Crossroads: Autonomous Weapons Systems and the Challenge of Regulation. Chair's Summary, 2024-04-30 source

The chair's summary records convergence on explicit prohibitions within a two-tier structure.

There is strong convergence that AWS that cannot be used in accordance with international law or that are ethically unacceptable should be explicitly prohibited.

Humanity at the Crossroads: Autonomous Weapons Systems and the Challenge of Regulation. Chair's Summary, 2024-04-30 source

Austria's submission states support for a legally binding instrument structured as prohibitions plus regulations.

Austria will therefore promote negotiations for a legally binding instrument that consists of prohibitions and regulations.

UNGA Resolution 78/241: Submission by Austria, 2024-05-28 source

Austria endorses 2026 as the target date for concluding a legally binding instrument.

the objective of concluding a legally-binding instrument by 2026 is an appropriate target date

UNGA Resolution 78/241: Submission by Austria, 2024-05-28 source

Austria reaffirms its position in favor of a legally binding instrument in 2025.

emphasize its position in favour of a legally binding instrument on autonomous weapons systems

UNGA Resolution 79/239: Submission by Austria, 2025-05-12 source

The Foreign Ministry states the national position for international legal regulation with human control.

Austria takes the clear position that significant human control over autonomous weapon systems is necessary and supports the international legal regulation of these weapon systems.

Autonomous Weapons Systems (ministry topic page, undated; date given is access date), 2026-07-16 source

Austria wants a negotiating mandate at the Review Conference, built on the agreed elements.

It is therefore vital for our efforts` credibility that the set of elements agreed by consensus now serves as a basis for a negotiation mandate.

Preparatory Committee, 7th Review Conference CCW: Statement on behalf of Austria, Preparation for Main Committee II, 2026-09-08 source

Austria's goal is a protocol that draws a line between acceptable and unacceptable systems.

finalize work on a protocol to draw the line between the acceptable and the unacceptable

Preparatory Committee, 7th Review Conference CCW: Statement on behalf of Austria, Preparation for Main Committee II, 2026-09-08 source

Austria restates that humans must stay in control of autonomous weapon systems.

Humans must always remain in control over autonomous weapon systems.

Preparatory Committee, 7th Review Conference CCW: Statement on behalf of Austria, Preparation for Main Committee II, 2026-09-08 source

Shift: wants a treaty, terms open → wants a treaty with bans 2024-04-30

First verified Austrian-authored text committing to explicit prohibitions.

There is strong convergence that AWS that cannot be used in accordance with international law or that are ethically unacceptable should be explicitly prohibited.

Humanity at the Crossroads: Autonomous Weapons Systems and the Challenge of Regulation. Chair's Summary, 2024-04-30 source

The submission commits to promoting negotiations for an instrument of prohibitions and regulations.

Austria will therefore promote negotiations for a legally binding instrument that consists of prohibitions and regulations.

UNGA Resolution 78/241: Submission by Austria, 2024-05-28 source