Vietnam chairs Middle East-North Africa Regional Consultation Workshop on the 11th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
WVR - From January 7-8, the consultation workshop for member countries in the Middle East-North Africa region of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) took place in Amman, Jordan.
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| The consultation workshop for member countries in the Middle East-North Africa region of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty took place in Jordan. |
The workshop was chaired by Vietnam, co-organized with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the European Union (EU), with representatives from 30 countries, international organizations, and research institutes from the Middle East-North Africa region. It follows regional consultation workshops in Asia-Pacific in Hanoi (October 2025) and Africa in Addis Ababa (November 2025).
This is the third event in a series of regional consultations organized by Vietnam to prepare for the 2026 NPT Review Conference.
The workshop provided a forum for NPT member countries in the region to exchange positions, priorities, and specific proposals, thereby supporting Vietnam, as the designated Chair, in effectively preparing for the organization and discussions at the 2026 NPT Review Conference.
In the opening remarks, the UNODA shared a message from Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, emphasizing the importance of the 2026 NPT Review Conference in promoting unity, cooperation, and recommitment to disarmament, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy; affirming support for Vietnam's role as Chair.
Mr. Daifallah Ali Al-Fayez, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan, affirmed that the NPT is a crucial pillar of international peace and security, especially in the Middle East, and views the 2026 Review Conference as an opportunity to foster trust and concrete actions to balance the three pillars of the Treaty: disarmament, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Mr. Stephen Klement, EU Special Envoy for Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, shared the strong commitment of EU member states to fully implement the NPT, including the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in accordance with the Treaty.
Chairing the workshop, Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations and designated Chair of the NPT Review Conference, emphasized that the current complex international security context requires enhanced solidarity and cooperation to strengthen the NPT review process – one of the central multilateral processes for international peace and security.
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| Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, chairs the workshop. |
The Ambassador shared Vietnam's priorities to be promoted as Chair, affirming the commitment to conduct the Conference in a transparent, balanced, and inclusive manner, listening to and fully reflecting the legitimate concerns and interests of all member countries. He also called on countries in the Middle East-North Africa region, which has a historical role in the development of the NPT, to continue to contribute positively and responsibly to the 2026 Review Conference.
During the workshop, delegates engaged in substantive exchanges in seven thematic discussion sessions, focusing on central issues of the NPT review process. Delegates expressed concerns about the challenges of the current international security context and its impact on the Conference, sharing support and expectations that Vietnam will conduct the Conference in a balanced and effective manner, addressing the priorities of all nations.
Delegates also highlighted the concerns and priorities of the Middle East-North Africa region across all three pillars of the Treaty, emphasizing that comprehensive implementation of the NPT and establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East are crucial steps to strengthen the NPT framework and global peace and security.
| The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was signed in 1968 and came into effect in 1970, currently with 191 member countries. The NPT plays a central role in international non-proliferation and disarmament mechanisms with three core components: (1) Nuclear disarmament; (2) Non-proliferation of nuclear weapons; and (3) Use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. To date, the NPT is the most comprehensive international treaty, involving five nuclear-armed states and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: the United Kingdom, France, the United States, 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 universality of the Treaty. To date, ten Review Conferences have been held (in 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2022). The 11th NPT Review Conference will be held from April 27 to May 22 at the United Nations headquarters in New York, USA. Based on nominations from NPT member countries, Vietnam will assume the position of Chair for the 11th NPT Review Conference. To prepare for the 2026 NPT Review Conference, Vietnam, as the "designated Chair", will lead consultations with NPT member countries in four regions: Asia-Pacific (Hanoi, October 2025), Africa (Addis Ababa, November 2025), Middle East and North Africa (Amman, January 2026), and Latin America and the Caribbean (expected in Panama, February). The consultation results will serve as the basis for developing reports, guiding discussion content, and organizing the 2026 NPT Review Conference. |
