August 17, 2023
In keeping with its deep tradition, CNS was very visible at meetings of the Working Group for Further Strengthening the NPT Review Process and the 2023 NPT Preparatory Committee in Vienna. The Working Group was held from July 24-28 and the PrepCom ran from July 31-August 11.
William Potter speaking to the CNS-hosted reception at the VCDNP for CNS alumni who attended the PrepCom.
Among the 100-plus delegations that assembled in Vienna for the two sets of NPT meetings, were over two dozen past and present CNS/NPTS students, visiting fellows, and staff members. They included CNS Director Bill Potter, who served as an advisor to the delegation of Austria, VCDNP expert Gaukhar Mukhatzhanova, who advised the Finnish Chair of the Working Group and the PrepCom, VCDNP expert Federica Dall’Arche, who was a member of the Italian delegation, former Visiting Fellow Ambassador Li Song of China, and other alumni on the delegations of China, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization, France, the International Atomic Energy Agency, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, OPANAL, the Russian Federation, and the United Arab Emirates.
Current NPTS students Shizuka Kuramitsu and Spencer Erjavic also represented UNIDIR and CNS, respectively.
One MIIS highlight of the PrepCom was the assumption by NPTS alumnus Gabiden Laumulin as Acting Chair of the meeting in his capacity as representative of Kazakhstan, which will chair the 2024 NPT PrepCom (See photo below).
NPTS Alumnus Gabiden Laumulin from Kazakhstan briefly presided over the 2023 NPT PrepCom in Vienna. He is seated next to the Secretary General of the meeting.
