Disarmament in Review
On 8 October, the Vienna Office of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), in partnership with the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and the Austrian Research Association, hosted a panel discussion entitled “After the Summit of the Future: New Momentum for Arms Control & Disarmament?” as part of the Office’s recurring Vienna Conversation Series. The panel explored key dynamics emanating from the Summit of the Future process and the role of different stakeholders in advancing disarmament-related actions.
Initially proposed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his 2021 Our Common Agenda report, the Summit of the Future was convened on 22 and 23 September 2024, bringing together world leaders to forge a common path towards a strengthened global architecture and a more peaceful and prosperous world. At the Summit, States adopted a “Pact for the Future”, including a Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations, outlining a wide set of commitments to reinvigorate multilateralism and identify solutions to pressing challenges – current and future – facing the international community.
The Pact, which was the result of more than two years of negotiations among Member States, includes, inter alia, wide-ranging actions to advance international peace and security. Within this framework, disarmament and arms control issues have gained a prominent role in the Pact across multiple areas.
The panellists and audience shared perspectives on how the Pact for the Future may, or may not, revitalize multilateralism and foster a new global consensus to strengthen disarmament and non-proliferation, as well as on what role various stakeholders can play in advancing disarmament-related actions. The panellists further explored how the Pact integrates disarmament with broader agendas, such as the sustainable development goals and human rights, while elevating the contributions of young people both in shaping and taking forward such efforts.
Professor Markus Kornprobst, Professor of International Relations at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, moderated the panel. Ms. Rebecca Jovin, Chief of the UNODA Vienna Office, underlined that the Pact, inter alia, represented a renewed commitment to a world without nuclear weapons, which was especially significant given the current global nuclear risks. She further noted the broad-ranging commitments – both explicit and implicit – inherent in the Pact relating to the implementation of and advancement towards disarmament goals, while stressing that the Pact was a starting point rather than the culmination. Mr. Jaewoo Shin, Senior Analyst at the Open Nuclear Network (ONN), acknowledged the challenging state of nuclear disarmament while underlining that the Pact was forward-looking while also at the same time seeking to address immediate risks.
Mr. Markus Wainde Wane, UN Youth Delegate of Austria, highlighted the positive potential of the “Declaration on Future Generations,” particularly its emphasis on peace and security and its proposal for the creation of a Special Envoy For Future Generations to ensure transparency and accountability for commitments made by Member States. He further noted that peace and security were among the top concerns for young people. Finally, Ms. Stephanie Fenkart, Director of the International Institute for Peace, emphasized the importance of elevating and discussing disarmament issues, particularly those relating to nuclear risks, in view of growing challenges posed by technological advances in warfare and a shifting world order. She further expressed her support to the UN Secretary-General’s “New Agenda for Peace” leading up to the Summit of the Future process, which prioritizes human security over State security. The audience participated actively in the discussion, reflecting the strong interest held by different stakeholder groups, including diplomats, international organizations, civil society, academia and young professionals in the practical steps required to further international peace and security emanating from the Pact. The need for sustained dialogue and collective action were expressed by many participants.
The recording of the event is available here, and a podcast version can be found on UNODA websites.
