On July 25, 2024, the Sustained Dialogue on Peaceful Uses (SDPU) initiative, facilitated by CRDF Global, hosted a side event on the margins of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Preparatory Committee Meeting (PrepCom) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
The side event, titled The NPT in Action: Showcasing Progress on Expanding Peaceful Uses, featured a panel discussion with SDPU thought leaders from activities recently held under the initiative. Panelists included Mr. Shota Kamishima of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Dr. Nwamaka Lasebikan – a key voice from the SDPU Trilateral Meeting in Nigeria, Dr. Jaya Gurung from the SDPU Consultative Visit in Nepal, Dr. Awanwee Petchkongkaew from the SDPU Regional Workshop in Thailand, and Dr. Alfredo Montes Niño from the SDPU Regional Workshop in Paraguay. The recent activities in Nepal, Thailand, and Paraguay focused on SDPU efforts to improving food safety and security; the meeting in Nigeria focused on SDPU efforts to improving healthcare outcomes.
The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Surbhi Grover of the University of Pennsylvania Department of Radiation Oncology, who asked panelists to share their experience with the SDPU program and highlight important outcomes of the workshops of which they were a part. Panelists highlighted the importance of the third pillar of the NPT, to expand access to peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology with the aim of making progress towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and 3 (Good Health & Well-Being).
The panel concluded with reactions from the audience. During this time, UK Ambassador David Riley shared the UK’s strong support for the SDPU program and the crucial role of Article IV of the NPT and called on further support to strengthen collaboration between expert organizations, like the IAEA, and stakeholders from the development community. Ms. Christine Martin of the U.S. Department of State echoed Ambassador Riley and the UK’s support for the SDPU on behalf of the U.S. government and stressed that the NPT provides a mechanism that facilitates access to nuclear science and technology the global community within the SDPU’s thematic areas of food, health, and water and do so in a safe, secure, and peaceful way.
This side event, and all activities under the SDPU would not be possible without the significant contributions of our partners. We thank our panelists for their engagement in the program and their dedication to expanding access to and awareness of the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.
This side event and the SDPU are jointly funded by the U.S. Department of State and the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. For more information on the activities discussed above and the program at large, go to www.sustaineddialogue.com.
