Fall 2024 Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Short Course

The VCDNP held its 28th short course on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament issues from 23 to 27 September 2024, providing training to 24 diplomats and officials from 23 countries across all regions of the world. Half of the participants were women, and 75% came from developing countries.

During the week-long course, participants examined various nuclear-related topics, such as global and regional dimensions of the nuclear non-proliferation regime, arms control and disarmament, nuclear safeguards, nuclear security and regional case studies. The course promoted an inclusive and diverse learning atmosphere, enabling participants to engage with a broad network of diplomats, practitioners, and experts. This was facilitated through discussions led by VCDNP experts and invited guest speakers, including:

• The history, provisions and review process of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) by VCDNP Japan Chair for a World without Nuclear Weapons Gaukhar Mukhatzhanova
• The IAEA and the evolution of safeguards by VCDNP Senior Fellow Laura Rockwood
• A set of case studies in nuclear verification by Dr. Jacques Baute
• An overview of nuclear security by VCDNP Executive Director Elena K. Sokova
• The humanitarian initiative and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) by Ambassador Alexander Kmentt
• Peaceful uses of nuclear technology by VCDNP Senior Fellow Ingrid Kirsten
• Approaches to negotiation and current status of North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme by VCDNP Senior Research Associate Noah Mayhew and Open Nuclear Network Analyst Tianran Xu

In addition, the course participants were able to engage with IAEA and CTBTO representatives on safeguards implementation issues and the history, provisions, and entry into force of the CTBT. An alumni panel allowed current and former course participants to exchange tips and insights on negotiating on nuclear matters in a multilateral format, particularly with regard to Vienna-based international organisations.

The course participants also had the opportunity to visit the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and gained insights into the operations of the IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre as well as the CTBTO’s International Data Centre and International Monitoring System.

The following are testimonials from the fall 2024 cohort:

“I came with zero to no knowledge in the subject, now I can confidently say that I can adequately negotiate on behalf of my state on the subject going forward.”

“As a newly arrived diplomat with both IAEA and CTBTO responsibilities, the course material was enormously useful and practical.”

“Incredibly rich and insightful in terms of content, calibre of speakers, and range of topics covered!”

“The level of engagement that was encouraged throughout, diversity of participants (gender, geographical, generational & files covered), and the range of topics.”

The VCDNP extends its gratitude to the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria for their generous support of its capacity-building and training activities.