Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI)
Founded in September 2010, the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI) is a ministerial-level group of states within the framework of the Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) focused on practical steps that will promote the consensus outcomes of the 2010 NPT Review Conference. It aims to achieve a number of goals, first among them advancement of the nuclear disarmament agenda and greater transparency in the way nuclear weapons states fulfill their disarmament commitments.
- Member
Member (12)
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Australia -
Canada -
Chile -
Germany -
Japan -
Mexico -
Netherlands -
Nigeria -
Philippines -
Poland -
Turkey -
United Arab Emirates
Regime Overview
Established
- September 2010
Background
Founded by Australia, Canada, Chile, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates in September 2010, the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI) is a ministerial-level group of states within the framework of the Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) focused on practical steps that will promote the consensus outcomes of the 2010 NPT Review Conference.
The first NPDI Ministerial Meeting was held 22 September 2010 in New York and subsequently twice a year thereafter.
Principal Organs
The NPDI does not have a formal constitution or permanent secretariat, and its administration is non-hierarchical. Decisions are made by consensus, which requires agreement, but not unanimity.
Regime Objectives
The NPDI has sought to “to take forward the consensus outcomes of the 2010 NPT Review Conference and jointly to advance the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation agendas as mutually reinforcing processes.” It aims to achieve a number of goals, first among them advancement of the nuclear disarmament agenda and greater transparency in the way nuclear weapons states fulfill their disarmament commitments.
The NPDI’s current thematic priorities include:
- Encouraging greater transparency surrounding nuclear disarmament efforts;
- Addressing the lack of substantive work in the Conference on Disarmament across the four core issue on its agenda;
- Increasing support for and conclusion of key legal instruments that safeguard and govern nuclear activities and;
- Strengthening the NPT regime.
Developments
2020-2021
2020
On 27 April, Senior Officials of the NPDI issued a joint message in light of postponement of the 2020 NPT Review Conference. The message indicated NPDI’s support for President-designate Zlauvinen’s decision and commemorated the 50th anniversary of the NPT. In the message, the senior officials emphasized NPDI’s continuing commitment to the goals of the NPT and the review process.
2019-2018
2019
On 8 April, the members of the NPDI submitted a working paper to the Preparatory Committee for the 2020 NPT Review Conference promoting the peaceful use of nuclear technology in order to achieve 9 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
On 18 April, the members of the NPDI submitted a working paper to the Preparatory Committee for the 2020 NPT Review Conference advocating for standardizing of national reporting by states as both a transparency measure but also to increase confidence-building per policy recommendations submitted previously in the 2010 NPT action plan. On the same day, NPDI offered a working paper on disarmament and non-proliferation education in accordance with the 2010 Review Conference.
On 24 April, members of the NPDI submitted a working paper in support of de-alerting in a step towards reducing the risk of accidental use.
2018
On 24 April, NPDI held a meeting of heads of states during the Second Session of the 2018 NPT Preparatory Committee to discuss the evolving role of NPDI in global nuclear disarmament.
Also during the Second Preparatory Committee, NPDI released a General Joint Statement that highlighted their specific initiatives: improving the NPT review process, strengthening nuclear safeguards standards, increasing transparency and addressing North Korean proliferation dangers.
These topics are reflected in NPDI’s four working papers at the 2018 NPT Preparatory Committee:
- NPT/CONF.2020/PC.II/WP.24
- NPT/CONF.2020/PC.II/WP.29
- NPT/CONF.2020/PC.II/WP.26
- NPT/CONF.2020/PC.II/WP.36
On 23 April, Germany delivered a statement on behalf of the NPDI to the 2018 NPT Preparatory Committee in Geneva, Switzerland. The statement highlighted the issues addressed in NPDI’s working papers, expressed support for the continued adoption of Additional Protocols, and reiterated the NPDI’s support for the JCPOA.
2017-2016
2017
On 3 May Ambassador Michael Biontino of Germany delivered a statement on behalf of NPDI at the initial general debate of the 2017 NPT Preparatory Committee. He acknowledged that differences of opinion exist within NPDI over the nuclear ban treaty negotiations. He stressed that these differences would not hinder NPDI’s commitment to the NPT and the implementation of the 2010 NPT Action Plan.
NPDI submitted six working papers at the 2017 NPT Preparatory Committee:
- NPT/CONF.2020/PC.1/WP.3
- NPT/CONF.2020/PC.1/WP.6
- NPT/CONF.2020/PC.1/WP.16
- NPT/CONF.2020/PC.1/WP.17
- NPT/CONF.2020/PC.1/WP.26
- NPT/CONF.2020/PC.1/WP.28
2016
On January 13th, the NPDI released a joint statement condemning the DPRK’s nuclear test conducted on January 6th. The group called for urgent efforts to strengthen the international disarmament and nonproliferation framework, citing the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty and its entry into force as an important area of focus in future negotiations.
On 13 September, NPDI released a joint statement condemning the DPRK’s fifth nuclear test on 9 September. The statement strongly urges the DPRK to refrain from taking further provocative actions and to comply with its international obligations under relevant UNSCRs and the Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks.
On 14 October, during the 2016 session of the UNGA First Committee meeting (3 October-2 November), NPDI delivered one statement during thematic debates on nuclear weapons.
2015-2014
2015
During the 2015 NPT Review Conference (27 April-22 May), NPDI delivered two statements: one during general debate and the second during Main Committee I.
NPDI also submitted two working papers:
On 9 October, the delegation of Japan delivered the opening statement on behalf of the NPDI in the First Committee of the 70th Session of the General Assembly, through which the NPDI encouraged States to take further steps towards disarmament, even after the failure of the 2015 NPT Review Conference.
2014
On 12 April, the NPDI held its 8th Ministerial Meeting in Hiroshima, Japan, and published a statement calling for reduced nuclear arsenals, increased data transparency, strengthened IAEA safeguards system, the establishment of nuclear-weapons-free-zones, and a reiteration of the “catastrophic humanitarian consequences” that arise as a result of nuclear weapons.
During the 2014 NPT Preparatory Committee for the 2015 NPT Review Conference (28 April-9 May), the NPDI delivered a statement during general debate. The NPDI also submitted several working papers:
- NPT/CONF.2015/PC.III/WP.6
- NPT/CONF.2015/PC.III/WP.7
- NPT/CONF.2015/PC.III/WP.9
- NPT/CONF.2015/PC.III/WP.10
- NPT/CONF.2015/PC.III/WP.13
- NPT/CONF.2015/PC.III/WP.26
- NPT/CONF.2015/PC.III/WP.29
On 20 October, the NPDI gave a joint statement at the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly. The NPDI stressed, among other points, the continued importance of multilateral negotiations to achieve disarmament, improved transparency, and a treaty banning the production of fissile material.
The group also noted with grave concerns the nuclear and ballistic missile testing activities conducted by the DPRK and that the Conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other WMDs has not yet been held.
2013-2010
2013
On 14 February, the members of the NPDI released their statement deploring the 12 February nuclear test by North Korea.
On 4-5 March, the members of the NPDI participated in the Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons that took place in Oslo, Norway.
On 9 April, the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative was convened in The Hague with the aim of giving further impetus to their contribution to the NPT Preparatory Committee to be held in Geneva from 22 April to 3 May 2013.
During the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) of the 2015 Review Conference, the Netherlands and Germany gave a statement on behalf of the other NPDI members. NPDI members also submitted several working papers:
- NPT/CONF.2015/PC.II/WP.1
- NPT/CONF.2015/PC.II/WP.2
- NPT/CONF.2015/PC.II/WP.3
- NPT/CONF.2015/PC.II/WP.4
- NPT/CONF.2015/PC.II/WP.12
- NPT/CONF.2015/PC.II/WP.23
- NPT/CONF.2015/PC.II/WP.24
On 24 September, NPDI members convened the Seventh Ministerial Meeting in New York and released a statement in summation. They also welcomed two new members: Nigeria and the Philippines.
2012
During the First Session of the Preparatory Committee of the 2015 NPT Review Conference (30 April-11 May), the NPDI members submitted several working papers:
Turkey and Germany also gave statements on behalf of the other NPDI members.
On 12 June, the NPDI held their fourth ministerial meeting in Istanbul, Turkey. Their final statement was released on 16 June following the outcome of the First Session by the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) of the 2015 Review Conference that took place from 30 April-11 May 2012 in Vienna.
In September, NPDI members undertook consultations in the capitals of nuclear-weapon states to discuss the NPDI’s draft reporting form on nuclear disarmament and transparency. On 26 September, the Fifth NPDI Ministerial Meeting took place in New York. They released their statement summarizing these activities.
During the 2012 session of the UN General Assembly First Committee on Disarmament and International Security (8 October–6 November), Turkey gave a statement on behalf of the NPDI.
2011
In 30 April, the Foreign Ministers released the Berlin Statement on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. During this meeting the Foreign Ministers set out to develop a draft standard nuclear disarmament reporting form as part of their effort to contribute to nuclear disarmament transparency.
On 21 September, the NPDI released its third statement to the media outlining their achievements during their first year and objectives for the future.
2010
On 22 September 2010 the NPDI released its first statement which outlined the Initiative’s goals and objectives regarding implementation of the consensus outcomes of the 2010 NPT Review Conference.
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