The Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Chosen to Establish the Japan Chair for a world without nuclear weapons

The Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) is proud to announce that it has been chosen as the recipient of funding to establish the Japan Chair for a world without nuclear weapons in Europe. On 27 February, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa named the VCDNP as one of only three non-governmental organizations globally to receive an endowment of over 6.8 million euros from Japan to promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and the achievement of a world without nuclear weapons.

The funding agreement was signed by H.E. Ambassador Atsushi Kaifu, Permanent Representative of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, and Elena Sokova, VCDNP Executive Director, during a ceremony at the VCDNP offices on 1 March 2024.

“We are deeply honored to have been chosen to receive the Japan Chair for a world without nuclear weapons endowment, -- says Elena Sokova, VCDNP Executive Director. -- This recognition is a testament to the VCDNP’s numerous contributions to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation through groundbreaking research, impactful capacity-building programs, and the ability to bring together national governments, international organizations, academia, and civil society for a constructive and result-oriented dialogue. This award underscores the significance of the Center’s multifaceted approach to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and motivates us to redouble our efforts towards achieving a safer and more secure world for all.”

Dr. William Potter, Chair of the VCDNP Advisory Board and Director of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, congratulates the VCDNP on the wonderful news and expresses his great appreciation to the government of Japan for recognizing the Vienna Center’s contributions to disarmament and non-proliferation.

Under the leadership of the Japan Chair for a world without nuclear weapons, the endowment will support a research forum focused on examining ways to advance the disarmament agenda at international fora, particularly the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons review process, and increase the effectiveness of disarmament machinery, as well as promoting a substantive dialogue on nuclear deterrence and disarmament.  In addition, interest income from the endowment will fund a dedicated fellowship for young scholars and a summer internship for graduate students from Japan at the VCDNP.

The Japanese government funding will allow the Center to build on its strengths and reinforce its continued commitment to meaningful and impactful contribution to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation research, dialogue, and capacity-building.