'Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) continue to cause deaths and injuries, endanger communities, and undermine both development and recovery across conflict and crime-affected contexts. Attacks on civilian infrastructure, such as bridges, roads, and communication towers, isolate communities, prevent humanitarian actors from reaching those in need, and weaken the relationship between citizens and their security providers. IED use therefore not only constitutes a security issue but also disrupts humanitarian action, constrains development, and destabilizes peace efforts.

In September 2015 UN member states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which replaced the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (2000–15) with a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets. While reaffirming core MDG aims, such as poverty reduction and the promotion of health care and education, these SDGs and targets tackle a much broader range of factors driving underdevelopment, and clearly connect development with peace, security, and arms control.

On average, armed violence kills 526,000 people each year.