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A Nobel Effort: The Roles and Actions of Parliamentarians to support Diplomacy, Disarmament and International Humanitarian Law
Wednesday May 6, 11:30am-12:45pm. Conference Room A. United Nations
On January 27, 2026, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set the hands of the Doomsday Clock to 85 Seconds to Midnight, indicating how close humanity is coming to a civilizational catastrophe from climate change, nuclear war, biological threats, misuse of AI or a global war triggered by rising authoritarianism, militarism and acts of aggression.
Diplomatic and legal approaches to addressing aggression, building common security and the rule of law, and resolving international disputes peacefully, are important to reduce nuclear risks, diminish reliance on nuclear deterrence, and achieve regional and global nuclear disarmament.
Parliamentarians and parliaments play critical roles in the development and implementation of diplomatic solutions and disarmament agreements, and in promoting compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law.
Of note and inspiration for this event is that 2026 is the 125th anniversary of the first Nobel Peace Prize, which was jointly awarded to Henri Dunant (Switzerland) for founding the International Committee of the Red Cross and to Frédéric Passy (France) for co-founding the Inter-Parliamentary Union and for being instrumental in the establishment of the first international tribunal – the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The vision and leadership of these Nobel Laureates can help inspire us today.
Speakers
- Hon Dr Paddy Torsney
Permanent Observer of the Inter-Parliamentary Union to the United Nations. - Hon Mrs Rabea Abouras MP
Member of the Libyan Parliament Delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Council. Member, Parliamentarians for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament (PNND). Remarks of Hon Rabea Abouras MP - Hon Dr Hedy Fry MP
Member of the Canadian Parliament. OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative on Gender Issues. PNND Council Member. (Presentation by video message) - Ms Kehkashan Basu
Founder and Director, Green Hope Foundation. Co-President, World Federalist Movement-Institute for Global Policy. Winner of the Inaugural Voices Youth Gorbachev-Shultz Legacy Award for Nuclear Disarmament. UN Human Rights Champion. - Mr Jonathan Granoff
President, Global Security Institute. PNND Senior Advisor and Board Member.
Moderator:
- Mr Alyn Ware
PNND Global Coordinator. Program Director, World Federalist Movement-Institute for Global Policy. Member, World Future Council.
About the Inter-Parliamentary Union
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments. The IPU promotes democratic governance, institutions and values, working with parliaments and parliamentarians to articulate and respond to the needs and aspirations of the people. It works for peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and sustainable development through political dialogue, cooperation and parliamentary action.
About Parliamentarians for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament
Parliamentarians for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament (PNND) is a global, cross-party network of legislators (current and former) working to reduce the risks of nuclear war, prevent nuclear weapons proliferation and promote the global abolition of nuclear weapons. PNND works in close cooperation with the United Nations, other interparliamentary bodies such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and with civil society organizations in the field of peace, disarmament, human rights and sustainable development.
About the World Future Council
The World Future Council highlights policies that have been adopted and proven to be effective in protecting current and future generations. The Council consists of 50 members from around the world, each who have made significant contributions in the fields of peace, human rights, environmental protection, youth empowerment and/or protecting the rights and well-being of future generations.