Vietnam nominated as Chair of the 11th NPT Review Conference

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN, speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

From April 28 to May 10, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA, the third and final session of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom 3) took place to prepare for the organization of the 11th Review Conference (RevCon11) of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 2026.

According to a VNA reporter in New York, the meeting was attended by representatives of 191 member countries of the Treaty and more than 80 international and non-governmental organizations operating in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, shared common concerns about the current international security situation related to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation; emphasizing that nuclear-weapon-possessing countries have the responsibility to take the lead, demonstrate political will and take concrete actions in implementing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation obligations under the NPT.

The Ambassador expressed support for the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the implementation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) to complement the NPT, the establishment and maintenance of nuclear-weapon-free zones, including Southeast Asia (SEANWFZ), and efforts to promote dialogue and the peaceful resolution of nuclear concerns.

Emphasizing that the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is increasingly essential for sustainable development and addressing global challenges, the Head of the Vietnamese delegation proposed increasing support for developing countries in technology transfer, improving capacity for development and application of nuclear technology to contribute to common progress and stability.

On this occasion, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed Vietnam's consistent policy in its commitment to implementing the NPT goals and the legitimate rights of nations to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The Ambassador stressed that Vietnam prioritizes promoting nuclear research and application in many fields such as healthcare, environmental protection and energy security to implement the strategy of rapid and sustainable socio-economic development; and said that Vietnam has just restarted the nuclear power plant project to accelerate the energy transition, towards the goal of zero net emissions by 2050.

In particular, the PrepCom3 Session agreed to nominate Vietnam for the Chair of the 11th NPT Review Conference in 2026 based on the nomination of 120 member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

This decision demonstrates the international community's recognition and high trust in Vietnam's contributions to promoting nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, as well as expectations for Vietnam's role and capacity in managing and leading one of the most important international political-security processes today within the framework of the United Nations.

At the closing session, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang expressed his gratitude for the trust and support of the countries and emphasized that Vietnam will make efforts with the countries to carry out the NPT review process to achieve results that meet the expectations of the international community.

The head of the Vietnamese delegation also affirmed that he will consult extensively with countries, regional groups and relevant parties to narrow differences and promote consensus in this process.

The NPT was signed in 1968, entered into force in 1970, and currently has 191 member states (non-member states are India, Israel, Pakistan, South Sudan; North Korea withdrew from the NPT in 2003).

The NPT plays a central role in non-proliferation and disarmament mechanisms with three pillars including non-proliferation of nuclear weapons; nuclear disarmament; and the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Rotating President of the Conference on Disarmament - Mr. Anupam Ray and Chargé d'Affaires of the Vietnamese Delegation in Geneva - Mr. Cung Duc Han (Photo: Anh Hien/VNA)

To date, this Treaty continues to be the most comprehensive international treaty, with the participation of five recognized nuclear weapon states, which are also non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

Since the NPT entered into force in 1970, the NPT Review Conference has been held every five years to discuss measures to promote implementation and enhance the universality of the Treaty.

To date, countries have held 10 Review Conferences (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, 2026. Vietnam will officially assume the Chairmanship when the Conference begins, but from now until then, Vietnam will need to immediately deploy organizational logistics, conduct consultations with countries, groups of countries, regional groups, and relevant parties, and draft Conference documents, especially the Final Document - this document is of great political importance as well as strategic orientation for the implementation of the NPT.

The preparation and success of the Conference requires a very important role of the Chairman in directing, coordinating, leading, orienting, and harmonizing viewpoints, concerns, promoting exchanges, negotiations, and compromises between countries and groups of countries, especially groups with large differences such as countries that possess and do not possess nuclear weapons./.

(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/viet-nam-duoc-de-cu-lam-chu-tich-hoi-nghi-kiem-diem-npt-lan-thu-11-post1037932.vnp