Topic A – Preventing Small-Arms Diversion to Non-State Armed Groups

Small arms and light weapons can remain in circulation long after the conflicts that they were meant for ended. Weapons intended for legitimate buyers can be diverted by non-state armed groups through unauthorized transfers, corrupt intermediaries, and failures in end-use controls. Existing measures to combat diversion such as weapons marking, stockpile management, and end-user verification already aim to reduce these risks, but their current effectiveness also depends heavily on national enforcement and international cooperation. While stronger monitoring remains an option, it also raises concerts over national sovereignty, cost of implementation, and sensitive security information. Therefore, the central question remains: How can DISEC prevent small arms from reaching non-state armed groups without obstructing the legitimate security needs of the state?

Topic B – Regulating Private Military and Security Companies in Armed Conflict

Private military and security companies(PMSCs) have become increasingly involved in armed conflicts, providing services such as armed protection and operational support. Their involvement allows states to access specialized capabilities without having to rely on their own armed forces, but also makes tracing responsibility harder when violations occur. Operations can span different hiring, registration, and deployment states, each with different laws and enforcement mechanisms. While international law already applies to PMSCs and their personnel, regulation remains dependent on individual states. In DISEC, delegates will be challenged to decide how far military activity should be privatized, define state responsibilities, and whether or not international regulations must be revised to close gaps in accountability.