UN UNMANNED AVIATION COORDINATION
BACKGROUND
The United Nations (UN) System has increasingly integrated unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into its humanitarian, disaster relief, rule of law, and peacekeeping operations, recognizing their significant potential to enhance mission efficiency, accessibility, and reach. However, UAS operations across UN entities and Member States present critical challenges related to the efficiency, operational allowances, social acceptance, and safety.
To address these challenges, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), United Nations Department of Operational Support (UNDOS) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have launched a strategic initiative. This initiative aims to develop a unified framework for UAS operations within the UN System by promoting regulatory coherence, improving coordination, enhancing capacity-building, and fostering collaboration.
During the 1st Workshop on Unmanned Aviation for United Nations Missions which was held from 29 April to 1 May 2025 at the UN Headquarters, a diverse group of UN entities with operational, technical, and policy roles in unmanned aviation worked in an experience sharing and cross-sector collaboration environment. The 1st Workshop on Unmanned Aviation for United Nations Missions culminated in the endorsement of a foundational Declaration by the Organizations of the United Nations System on the Development of Harmonized Unmanned Aviation Frameworks. This declaration marked a collaborative environment for advancing regulatory alignment to support UN entities’ respective mandates, missions, and objectives, establishing the UN Unmanned Aviation Coordination Forum. Currently, the Declaration is endorsed by 15 UN Entities (UNDOS, ICAO, WFP, UNDP, UPU, ITU, FAO, OCHA, UNODC, UNOCT, UN-Habitat, UNDSS, IFAD, WHO, and IOM).
UN Unmanned Aviation Coordination Forum, jointly initiated by UNDOS, WFP, and ICAO, is designed as a light yet durable platform to foster coherence across the UN system, monitor implementation progress, and serve as the primary point of coordination for unmanned aviation activities. Structured in 3 layers (Executive Group, Steering Group and Coordination Group) for governance, the Forum's key objectives include conducting system-wide assessments, engaging expert groups, piloting implementation projects, and developing enabling regulatory provisions to facilitate rapid UAS deployment in emergencies.
Ultimately, this initiative aims to unlock the full potential of unmanned aviation across the UN System, enhancing mission safety, efficiency, sustainability and impact. It will also strengthen international cooperation and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in crisis-affected regions.
To achieve strategic goals, the Forum has five core areas of action, forming the basis of the ongoing multi-phase work plan: Partnership Initiation, Needs Determination, National Enabling Clause, Emergency UAS Framework, and Comprehensive UAS/RPAS Framework.