Vietnam chairs Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation on the Non-Proliferation Treaty
WVR - From October 28-29, the Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation for member countries of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) with the theme: “Towards the 11th NPT Review Conference in 2026 (NPT RevCon 11)” was held in Hanoi.
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| Overview of the Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation on the NPT Review Conference held in Hanoi. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The conference, chaired by Vietnam, was co-organized with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the European Union (EU). It saw the participation of about 100 delegates from 30 countries and regional, international organizations, along with representatives from relevant Vietnamese agencies.
This event marks the first in a series of consultations planned worldwide by Vietnam leading up to the NPT RevCon 11, scheduled from April 27 to May 22, 2026, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, USA.
The consultation aims to provide a forum for NPT member countries in each region to discuss and share their positions, priorities, and concerns related to the NPT review process. It also helps Vietnam, as the Chair of the NPT RevCon 11, and the Secretariat to understand the positions, viewpoints, and best practices of countries to effectively prepare and ensure the success of next year's conference.
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| Izumi Nakamitsu, UN Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, delivers the opening speech at the conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Speaking at the opening of the conference, Izumi Nakamitsu, UN Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, noted the increasing geopolitical tensions, particularly the stagnation in cooperation among nuclear-armed states, the arms race trend, and challenges posed by emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
The RevCon11 conference holds significant importance, expected to reinforce commitments to the treaty's goals across its three pillars. Under-Secretary-General Nakamitsu commended and expressed confidence in Vietnam's role as Chair in leading the NPT review process, appreciating Vietnam's organization of the consultation in Hanoi.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang speaks at the conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
At the conference, Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang expressed gratitude to the United Nations and the international community for entrusting Vietnam with the responsibility of chairing the Review Conference. He shared the assessments of the UN Under-Secretary-General, emphasizing the crucial role of the NPT amid current challenges. He stated that NPT member countries, especially those in the Asia-Pacific region, should be partners in affirming their commitment to disarmament and non-proliferation, promoting dialogue, addressing differences, and finding common ground to tackle current nuclear security challenges and promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy for sustainable development. The Deputy Minister also highlighted the Asia-Pacific region's leading role in implementing the NPT, emphasizing ASEAN's efforts in establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Southeast Asia.
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| Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, chairs the conference. (Photo: Thành Long) |
Chairing the regional consultation, Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations and “President-designate” of the NPT RevCon11, affirmed his commitment to lead the chairmanship transparently, balanced, and inclusively, ensuring that the legitimate concerns and interests of all NPT member countries are heard and reflected in the review process. The Ambassador also shared insights into the current complex context, the necessity of strengthening the NPT process, and Vietnam's priorities and activities as Chair.
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| Ambassador Đỗ Hùng Việt speaks at the conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
At the conference, international delegates highly appreciated and expressed support for Vietnam's role in leading one of the most complex and important multilateral security-political processes today. Delegates engaged in candid and substantive discussions, offering specific proposals during seven thematic sessions on topics related to the upcoming review process, including the context, opportunities and challenges, the role and expected implementation of the review process, measures to enhance the NPT, and the balanced and effective implementation of the NPT's three pillars: disarmament, non-proliferation, and the promotion of peaceful nuclear energy use, as well as the role and potential contributions of regional organizations.
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| Dr. Tran Quang Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Department of Nuclear Radiation Safety, speaks at the thematic session. (Photo: Thành Long) |
During the thematic session on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, Dr. Tran Quang Tuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Nuclear Radiation Safety, Ministry of Science and Technology, stated that in Vietnam, the benefits of the peaceful application of nuclear energy are evident in various fields such as healthcare, education, industry, agriculture, and research, contributing to improving human life and socio-economic development.
He affirmed that Vietnam consistently cooperates closely with the IAEA and international partners in implementing the NPT and is gradually domesticating and applying international standards and best practices in state management of nuclear safety, security, nuclear inspection, and the peaceful application of nuclear energy.
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| Timor Leste Ambassador to Vietnam João Pereira contributes his views at the conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Following the conference in Hanoi, Vietnam will conduct consultations in Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and with key countries, groups, and partners leading up to the NPT RevCon 11. Prior to the consultation in Hanoi, from October 21-23, Ambassador Do Hung Viet conducted the first consultation with one of the five nuclear-armed states recognized by the NPT in China. The results of these consultations will be compiled by Vietnam in collaboration with the United Nations to produce reports to inform all NPT member countries, aiding the organization of the 2026 conference.
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| Delegates pose for a commemorative photo. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
| The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was signed in 1968 and came into effect in 1970, currently having 191 member countries. The NPT plays a central role in international non-proliferation and disarmament mechanisms with three core components: (1) Non-proliferation of nuclear weapons; (2) Nuclear disarmament; and (3) The use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. To date, the NPT is the most comprehensive international treaty, with the participation of the five recognized nuclear-armed states, who are also permanent members of the UN Security Council: the UK, France, the USA, Russia, and China. Vietnam officially joined the NPT in 1982. Since the NPT came into effect in 1970, the NPT Review Conference has been held every five years to discuss measures to promote the implementation and enhance the universality of the Treaty. To date, ten review conferences have been held (1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2022). The NPT RevCon 11 will be held from April 27 to May 22, 2026. Based on the consensus of NPT member countries regarding the nomination by the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Vietnam will assume the position of Chair of the RevCon11. With the approval of the Prime Minister, Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, will directly assume this position. According to the procedural rules of the Conference, from now until officially elected to the position at the 2026 Conference, Ambassador Do Hung Viet will conduct consultations and exchanges with countries, groups, and other partners as the “President-designate” of the Conference. |
