The CD is a forum established by the international community for the negotiation of multilateral arms control and disarmament agreements. While the conference is not formally a United Nations (UN) organization, it is linked to the UN through a personal representative of the United Nations Secretary-General; this representative serves as the secretary general of the conference. Resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly often request the conference to consider specific disarmament matters. In turn, the conference annually reports its activities to the Assembly.
Currently under discussion are a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT), a prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS), nuclear disarmament, and negative security assurances (NSA).