February 7, 2018 • updated April 16, 2018
The James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) and the Arms Control Association held an in-depth discussion of the work of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), now celebrating its 30th year of efforts to slow the spread of unmanned systems able to carry weapons of mass destruction.
The meeting was held on Thursday, February 15, 2018, from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the CNS offices, 1400 K Street, Suite 1225, Washington, DC.
The discussion looked back, to review the accomplishments of the regime, and looked ahead, to consider current and future challenges to its mission.
- Ambassador Piet de Klerk, former Chair of the MTCR, made opening remarks on maintaining consensus in this multilateral body.
- An expert panel followed, moderated by Tom Countryman, former Acting Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, with comments and slides by Dr. Richard Speier, who played a key role in launching and sustaining the MTCR; Michael Elleman, Senior Fellow, International Institute for Strategic Studies and specialist on regional missile developments; and Rachel Stohl, Managing Director, Henry L. Stimson Center, addressing the increasing proliferation of military drones.
- Vann Van Diepen, former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation, who was actively involved for many years in advancing MTCR objectives, delivered the event’s keynote address, capping the session.
Learn More
For more on the MTCR at 30, see Leonard S. Spector, “The Missile Technology Control Regime and Shifting Proliferation Challenges,” Arms Control Today, April 2018
