Disarmament in Review
July 8th, 2025
On 3 July 2025, the Vienna Office of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), in partnership with the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP), hosted an interactive webinar titled “Enhancing the disarmament regime: A conversation with the UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs.”
The Vienna community was invited to engage with the High Representative on developments, dynamics and prospects impacting non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control.
Webinar participants were welcomed by Ms. Rebecca Jovin, Chief of the UNODA Vienna Office, who set the scene and introduced the UN Under-Secretary-General, as well as event moderator, Ms. Elena Sokova, Executive Director of the VCDNP.
Ms. Nakamitsu reflected on the vital importance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in the face of ongoing global challenges and direct threats to the Treaty and the wider disarmament and non-proliferation regime. In this context, she echoed the Secretary-General’s concern about the recent military attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, as well as comments from Iran to withdraw from the Treaty. Moreover, she underlined the fundamental role of the Vienna community in garnering support for the NPT across its three pillars and contributing constructively to a successful 2026 NPT Review Conference.
In light of the recent figures indicating continuously rising military expenditure, Ms. Nakamitsu highlighted the forthcoming study of the Secretary-General on the impact of military spending on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emphasized the need to find creative solutions that can resonate with UN Member States. In particular, she reflected that the analysis aims to serve as a foundational document for rethinking the relationship between security, disarmament, and development in a mutually reinforcing manner.
Furthermore, Ms. Nakamitsu provided insights into the UN80 Initiative, a comprehensive reform process initiated by UN Secretary-General Guterres to ensure the UN remains fit-for-purpose. In particular, she communicated expectations and timeframe of the process, by underlining the goal to strengthen the role and credibility of the UN, streamlining its mandates and improving efficiencies. While proposals from the Secretary-General will be forthcoming, it will be up to Member States to take decisions on key institutional changes and restructuring. Moreover, the High Representative called for Member States to engage directly, communicate their priorities, and ensure the essential mandates and roles of the Vienna-based Secretariat entities are recognized and well represented in the reform efforts.
Following the moderated discussion, webinar participants were able to directly engage with the Under-Secretary-General through Q&A. Among the topics raised was the important role of disarmament education in shaping future perspectives and efforts, whereby Ms. Nakamitsu reaffirmed the work of UNODA together with diverse partners, including VCNDP, in facilitating understanding of and action for global disarmament goals. Ms. Nakamitsu also addressed the role of young people in raising awareness within their local communities to advocate for disarmament and non-proliferation from a bottom-up perspective. Responding to a question on prospects for preventing conflict in times of tension, the High Representative closed by underscoring the importance of drawing on all elements within the disarmament toolbox, including diplomacy, confidence-building, transparency and risk reduction.
The joint event underscored the wide range of issues facing multilateral disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation efforts and the key role that the Vienna-based community plays in actively engaging in discourse and intergovernmental efforts around them.
Did you miss the event? You can watch the recording here!
You can also listen to it on Spotify here!
