Topics to be debated during the Seminar

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Topics to be debated during the Seminar

Global Security Online - Newsletter 3, by the NPSGlobal Staff, 22 Oct 2009.

The debates have been organized in five panels. Each session is aimed at exploring a specific topic and it will be followed by a brief exchange of opinions and a Q&A session.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

8:30 Registration
9:00-9:40 Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:40-11:35 Panel 1: The Nuclear Nonproliferation Regime Facing the 2010 NPT Review
11:50-13:15 Panel 2: Nuclear disarmament – From Statements to Facts
13:13-14:45 Luncheon
14.45-15:15 Keynote Speaker
15:15-17:30 Panel 3: The Right of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technology.

Friday, October 30, 2009

9:00-9:30 Keynote Speaker
9:30-11:15 Panel 4: Impacts of Nonproliferation Initiatives Involving Fissile Materials
11:30-13:20 Panel 5: The future of the NPT. Should it be enhanced, changed, or replaced?
13.20-13.45 Closing Remarks

Objectives and expected outcomes of each panel:

Panel 1: The Nuclear Nonproliferation Regime Facing the 2010 NPT Review

Objectives: To outline the present status of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Regime, and the current situation of the disarmament and nonproliferation equation. In addition, to highlight the significance of the 2010 NPT Review.

Expected outcomes: Main strengths and weaknesses of the current regime. Conclusions about its present degree of erosion. Key expectations related to the 2010 Review Conference. [Comments will be nurtured with the results of the May NPT PrepCom.]

Panel 2: Nuclear disarmament – From Statements to Facts

Objectives: To outline commitments and actions to be taken by Nuclear Weapons States [including those outside the NPT] to reduce their potential contribution to the nuclear global danger. To discuss the role of NNWS in nuclear disarmament. To consider how those commitments should be reflected in the 2010 NPT Review.

Expected outcomes: A clear idea of potential behaviors of NWS and NNWS, facing the 2010 NPT Review (depending on their situation) and, therefore, of the feasibility of a progressive nuclear disarmament or rearmament. In addition, the current role and limits of deterrence, and the role of the nuclear weapons free zones.

Panel 3: The Right of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technology

Objectives: To outline how NNWS can contribute to a safer world, protecting, in turn, their rights of peaceful uses and of proprietary technology development [includes discussions on practical issues such as limits of verification, controversies about the IAEA’s Additional Protocol, the improvement on models of control, and proposals of IAEA’s regional delegation].

Expected outcomes: Expectations and positions of NNWS regarding the 2010 NPT Review, and in addition, a clear idea about the present and future role of IAEA, as well as reactions about potential proposals involving more restrictive standards of verification.

Panel 4: Impacts of Nonproliferation Initiatives Involving Fissile Materials

Objectives: Discussion about status and how nonproliferation initiatives involving fissile materials, such as the IAEA’s International Nuclear Fuel Bank and a future Fissile Materials Cut-Off treaty could impact different international actors.

Expected outcomes: Update on the initiatives, their pros and cons with focus on their multiple impacts.

Panel 5: The future of the NPT. Should it be enhanced, changed or replaced?

Objectives: To analyze the NPT’s future role as the basis of the nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation regime. To review alternatives of enhancement, radical change, or replacement, their impacts, and their underlying risks. To discuss out-of-the-box ideas, and relating actions, in order to reinvigorate the regime.

Expected outcomes: To clarify the different future scenarios and their relationship with the development and results of the 2010 NPT Review Conference.