The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) held a briefing event in support of the preparations for the Second Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) for the 2026 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, which will take place in Geneva between 22 July - 2 August 2024.
The event aimed to stimulate thinking and exchange ideas on substantive issues related to the upcoming PrepCom. It included a briefing on some of the key topics the PrepCom may touch upon to create a baseline of knowledge among participants, including nuclear disarmament, nuclear cooperation, regional issues such as the Middle East WMD-Free Zone, procedural issues, and expectations from the PrepCom.
The briefing featured opening remarks by Dr. Robin Geiss, Director, UNIDIR and Amb. Akan Rakhmetullin, Chair-Designate of the 2024 NPT PrepCom. The event was moderated by Dr. James Revill, Head of Programme, WMD and Outer Space Security Programmes, UNIDIR.
Speakers:
• Amb. Jarmo Viinanen, Ambassador, Strategic and Arms Control, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Chair of the 2023 NPT PrepCom
• Ms. Gaukhar Mukhatzhanova, Director of Program, The International Organizations and Non-Proliferation Program, Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP)
• Mr. Andrey Baklitskiy, Senior Researcher, WMD Programme, UNIDIR
• Dr. Chen Zak Kane, Head of Project, the Middle East WMD-Free Zone Project, UNIDIR
Following the briefing, participants were asked to participate in a qualitative Mentimeter survey, shared during the event, to gauge perceptions on how best to prepare for the PrepCom and what are the Conference’s key priorities.
Resources:
☣️ Chemical and biological weapons research at UNIDIR: unidir.org/focus-area/chemica...
💣 Our Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme: unidir.org/wmd
🌐 UNIDIR website: unidir.org/