03/06/2026
Panel discussion marking 20 years of the Treaty of Semipalatinsk (CANWFZ) on 3 June 2026 at the Diplomatische Akademie Wien - Vienna School of International Studies
Opening remarks:
Martina Schubert (Deputy director, Vienna School of International Studies)
Siddharth Chatterjee (Chief Executive Officer, Global Neighbours)
Andreas Persbo (Director, Open Nuclear Network - A PAX sapiens Programme)
Keynote address:
Mukthar Tileuberdi (Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the United Nations)
Panellists:
Mandlenkosi Lunga Bengu
(Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of South Africa to the UN and other International Organisations in Vienna)
Rebecca Jovin
(Chief of Office, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs-UNOD, Vienna)
Vladimir Norov
(CEO, Silk Road Advisory; former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan)
José Antonio Zabalgoitia
(Permanent Representative of Mexico to the International Organisations in Vienna)
This a high-level public event marking the 20th anniversary of the Treaty of Semipalatinsk and highlighting the role of Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones as practical tools for nuclear risk reduction through perspectives from different regional zones. The event will bring together diplomats, regional experts and practitioners to reflect on the role of Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones as practical and effective mechanisms for nuclear risk reduction in an increasingly fragmented global security environment. Held immediately after the 2026 NPT Review Conference, the discussion will explore how regional cooperation frameworks can contribute to stability, trust-building and non-proliferation efforts.
Learn more about the DA and its programmes at https://www.da-vienna.ac.at.
Partners:
Open Nuclear Network: https://opennuclear.org/en
Global Neighbours: https://www.globalneighbours.org/en
Photo: © Stefan Keller auf Pixabay