This Occasional Paper commemorates the forty-fifth anniversary of the Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters (ABDM), a unique body that provides expert advice to the United Nations Secretary-General on issues related to disarmament and international security. Drawing on the insights and experiences of current and former members, the publication highlights the Board's contributions to advancing multilateral disarmament, its distinctive features and strengths, and its potential role in addressing the pressing challenges of today's world.