New York, 4 August 2022 (TDI): The Event for the Role of Diversity took place as a side event for the 10th Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference. Many panelists joined the event held on Wednesday.
Full house at the @UN_Disarmament & @StateDept side event on #NPTdiversity during #NPTRevCon.
Panelists sharing their views and experiences on how diverse & inclusive processes + decision-making contribute to sustainable progress in nuclear disarmament & non-proliferation. pic.twitter.com/Vc2u13vVrN
— ODA (@UN_Disarmament) August 3, 2022
An Overview of the Event
The United States (US) and the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) commenced the event on “Role of Diversity in Promoting Nuclear Non-Proliferation and disarmament”.
The main aim of the event was to discuss issues of diversity. It also saw discussions on how diverse genders can help in the more effective implementation of disarmament.
Izumi Nakamitsu, the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, and the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control, Bonnie Jenkins hosted the event.
They were joined by the Foreign Minister of Sweden, Ann Linde, and Gustavo Zlauvinen, the President of the Tenth Review Conference of NPT.
Moreover, Jorge Valderrabano, the Regional Coordinator of UNOY Peace, and the Permanent Representative of Costa Rica, Maritza Chan also attended the event along with many others.
In the event, participants discussed how voices of different genders and underrepresented people could help bring peace and nuclear disarmament.
Moreover, they also shared experiences on how these diverse voices can help make better decisions and implement policies effectively.
Remarks by Izumi Nakamitsu
The High Representative of Armament affairs thanked everyone for joining the event. During her address, she emphasized that putting people at the center of nuclear disarmament policy was important to achieve sustainable progress in its implementation.
She said that it was time that “we rethink the issue of security and nuclear discourse and come out of the traditional point of view.” According to her, it was important that different perspectives coming from different people are considered.
Izumi emphasized that Non-proliferation policymaking had seen an increase in participation from different genders and that it is their aim to further strengthen it.
According to her, a stronger people’s perspective on human rights and gender equality frameworks will strengthen nuclear disarmament and non–proliferation policies.
That is why she called for more people to participate in policy-making and share their opinions on nuclear disarmament.
Concluding her remarks, she thanked everyone again for joining the unique conference to discuss inclusiveness and diversity in non-proliferation.
Today, I put on my #inclusionglasses together w. @AnnLinde, @UnderSecT, @MaritzaChanV, @G_Zlauvinen & @jhvalderrabano at #NPT2022 #10RevCon – let’s make space for more diverse voices + put people at the center of nuclear disarmament & non-proliferation policies. #NPTdiversity https://t.co/rSdadFJBPA
— Izumi Nakamitsu (@INakamitsu) August 4, 2022
Permamnet Representative of Costa Rica
The Permanent Representative of Costa Rica, Maritza Chan also addressed the event. Her emphasis on “what is not measured is not seen” was appreciated by many.
At the 10th #NPTRevCon Side Event: The Role of Diversity- @MaritzaChanV emphasizes, “What is not measured is not seen.” #NPTdiversity
— NAPF New York (@napfnewyork) August 3, 2022
During her address, she highlighted the role of women in the process of decision-making and policy implementation. She said that diversity is very important in disarmament, arms control, and non-proliferation.
Diversity in disarmament, non-proliferation & arms-control matters.
It’s time to acknowledge that violence is inherently gendered.
Join us! @Jenkinsbd @UN_Disarmament @AnnLinde @G_Zlauvinen @eland_princess https://t.co/uGQkiLn7H3
— Maritza Chan (@MaritzaChanV) August 3, 2022
She took the opportunity at the event to bring to attention the various forms of discrimination faced by women. She called for immediate and necessary steps to be taken to increase other gender inclusion in the issues related to disarmament.
