The New Nuclear Normal? Preserving Security in an Insecure World 03/03/2025 23:00 to 01/01/1970 00:00 - Despite global commitments to a nuclear-free future, the world is witnessing a resurgence of nuclear armament and escalating risks. Event Report: The New Nuclear Normal? 108 KB March 4, 8:15-9:45 AM | UN Headquarters, New York Last year, UN Member States adopted the Pact for the Future, reaffirming their commitment to “advance the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons.” Yet, reality stands in stark contrast as many nuclear disarmament achievements of the past decades are dissipating: Nuclear-armed countries further build up and modernize their arsenals, and nuclear weapons feature increasingly prominent in the security strategies of a growing number of countries, further entrenching the divide between nuclear-armed states and the vast majority of countries that have chosen a path free of nuclear weapons. While some states view nuclear deterrence as a fundamental element of their security, others see it as a source of profound global instability and a direct threat to international security. Held during the Third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, this discussion event organized by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), in partnership with the Arms Control Association and the International Disarmament Institute at Pace University, aimed to bridge these divergent security perspectives to constructively discuss a common path ahead and how to deal with the existential threat of nuclear weapons. The meeting, held under Chatham House rule, brought together selected parliamentarians and diplomats from UN member states, representatives from international organizations, and civil society experts. Read the full event report here. Program Welcome: Matthias Jobelius, Director, FES New York Moderation: Daryl Kimball, Executive Director, Arms Control Association Speakers: H.E. Amb. Alexander Kmentt, Director Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Department, Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hon. Marilou McPhedran, Senator, Manitoba, Canada Open discussion with all participants Wrap-up: Emily Welty, Professor and Co-Director, International Disarmament Institute, Pace University
