Introductory remarks are by EEAS Special Envoy Marjolijn van Deelen and UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu on the overall importance of the NPT Review Conference and cooperation with the EU.

Ambassador Gustavo Zlauvinen, President NPT Review Conference (Argentina) shares his experience on engaging States Parties through the project supported by the EU. Ambassador Syed Mohamad Hasrin Aidid, Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the UN and Ioan Tudor, Chief WMD Branch, UNODA explain how the EU project is beneficial for the Review Cycle.

Watch the video on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/8NdMCw5fkiI

Background on the EU Project

In the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (2003), the EU identifies support for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as a first priority for action at the international level, calling for its integral preservation, strengthened implementation and universalisation. In this vein, the Council adopted in April 2019 a Decision to support financially the organisation by UN Office for Disarmament Affairs of a series of consultations: three thematic seminars for all States Parties on nuclear disarmament (Geneva), nuclear non-proliferation (New York) and peaceful uses of nuclear energy (Vienna), as well as four regional meetings. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, three regional seminars were held in physical format Asia-Pacific (Bangkok, 3-4 December 2019), Africa (Addis-Ababa, 29-30 August 2019), and the Middle East (Amman, 13-14 November 2021). The regional meetings covered all three of the NPT pillars viewed through the lens of regional priorities and concerns. All activities sought to highlight the benefits already provided by the NPT and the need to preserve them by enhancing Treaty implementation.

Find the full Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/615 of 15 April 2019 on Union support for activities leading up to the 2020 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) here: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32019D0615

For more on EEAS work on Non-proliferation and Disarmament go here: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/disarmament-non-proliferation-and-arms-export-control-0_en?s=280#15418