May 29, 2020
As the Tenth NPT Review Conference has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, States Parties should use this hiatus to work together to overcome existing challenges and take advantage of emerging opportunities in order to ensure a successful outcome that maintains the NPT’s status as a pillar of international peace and security.
On 28 May 2020, CNS partnered with the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and Center for Energy and Security Studies (CENESS) to organize a webinar on challenges and opportunities for the 10th NPT Review Conference. Senior diplomats and UN officials, joined by CNS’ Dr. William Potter and Gaukhar Mukhatzhanova, addressed such questions as the impact of the postponement and the pandemic itself of the Review Conference, the implications of the continuously worsening crisis in US-Russian arms control, the status of past NPT commitments and ways to build on previously agreed steps and measures to advance nuclear disarmament. Nearly 200 participants around the world joined the webinar, underscoring the importance governments and civil society attach to the NPT and the Review Conference that will mark the 50th anniversary of its entry into force and 25th anniversary since its indefinite extension.
Webinar: Took place on May 20, 2020
CNS’s Dr. William Potter and Gaukhar Mukhatzhanova joined senior diplomats and UN officials to discuss challenges and opportunities for the Tenth NPT Review Conference. UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu and President-Designate of the 19th NPT Review Conference Ambassador Gustavo Zlauvinen were among the speakers at the webinar jointly organized by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, CNS and the Center for Energy and Security Studies.
Speakers
Opening Remarks
Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu
High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
United Nations
Professor William Potter
Founding Director
James Martin Center for Non-Proliferation Studies
Panelists
Ambassador Maria del Socorro Flores Liera
Permanent Representative of Mexico to the Conference on Disarmament
Ambassador Aidan Liddle
Permanent Representative of the UK to the Conference on Disarmament
Ambassador Benno Laggner
Resident Representative of Switzerland to the IAEA
Permanent Representative to the CTBTO Preparatory Commission
Discussant
Ms. Gaukhar Mukhatzhanova
Director, International Organizations and Non-Proliferation Program
James Martin Center for Non-Proliferation Studies
Closing Remarks
Ambassador Gustavo Zlauvinen
President-designate of the Tenth NPT Review Conference
Moderator
Mr. Anton Khlopkov
Director Center for Energy and Security Studies
