Thailand Hosted a Dialogue on Strengthening Nuclear Disarmament through Regional Cooperation

New York, 2 May 2025 – Thailand convened a high-level discussion to assess how Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones (NWFZs) complement the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and other key disarmament instruments. The side event, titled “Complementary Role of Regional Efforts to International Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Regime,” took place on the margins of the Third Preparatory Committee for the 2026 NPT Review Conference.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Mr. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations, stressed regional cooperation's critical role. "Amid growing geopolitical tensions and nuclear risks, this dialogue helps identify convergences for next year's Review Conference," he stated. He noted that NWFZs foster trust and reinforce the NPT, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) obligations, while aligning with global commitments like the Pact for the Future's Action 25.

The event brought together experts and representatives from Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones (NWFZs), UN agencies, academia, and key stakeholders to examine how regional initiatives can strengthen global disarmament efforts and foster meaningful dialogue between Nuclear-Weapon States (NWS) and NWFZ members. Discussions centered on maximizing these frameworks to reinforce compliance with existing agreements and lay the groundwork for a successful 2026 NPT Review Conference.

Expert panelists highlighted regional contributions to global disarmament efforts. H.E. Mr. Flávio Roberto Bonzanini (OPANAL) emphasized Latin America's pioneering role through the Treaty of Tlatelolco, while Mrs. Chatvadee Chindawongse (ASEAN Department, MFA Thailand) detailed the progress on South East Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty and urged stronger Nuclear-Weapon State engagement. Professor William Potter (Center for Non-proliferation Studies) analyzed NWFZs' role in breaking multilateral impasses, with Mr. Cristian De Francia (IAEA) outlining legal connections between regional and international frameworks. Mr. Brady Mabe (ICRC) stressed the humanitarian necessity of strengthening NWFZs within global disarmament efforts.

Organized by the Permanent Mission of Thailand to the UN, the forum underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation in reducing nuclear risks and advancing a safer and more secure world.