Common security and nuclear deterrence in a turbulent world

This event will include follow-up discussion on ideas and proposals in the statement Can Common Security replace Nuclear Deterrence which is being presented to the 2025 NPT Prep Com on April 30 at the plenary session dedicated to civil society statements.

The statement recognizes that nuclear deterrence is perceived and embraced by a significant number of countries as a mechanism to provide security, especially from potential or actual acts of aggression and to prevent a nuclear attack against them. Regardless of the validity or otherwise of this security perception, in order to move these countries to relinquish nuclear deterrence, it will be helpful to highlight and strengthen credible alternatives to nuclear deterrence, based on the UN Charter and international law.

These come under the rubric of common security – an approach to achieving national, regional and international security by taking into account the security needs of other nations – including one’s adversaries – as well as one’s own security needs. It is based on the assumption that sustainable security cannot be obtained by undermining or threatening the security of others, but rather on resolving conflicts with one’s adversaries.

Some practical ways to advance this are outlined in Chapter 2 of the Peoples Pact for the Future which was submitted to the UN Summit of the Future, and reflected in commitments adopted in the Pact for the Future, adopted by consensus at the Summit.

Also of relevance is the  civil society statement  Common Security v. Nuclear Weapons: How to replace the current reliance on nuclear deterrence with sustainable security for all, endorsed by 170 organizations from 39 countries (mostly from nuclear-armed and allied countries) and presented to the 2023 NPT Prep Com in Vienna.

Speakers:

• Rebecca Shoot, Executive Director, Citizens for Global Solutions. Chair, Washington Working Group on the International Criminal Court
• Paul Ingram. Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (by video presentation)
• Rabeea Aboras MP. Chair, Libyan Parliament Committee for Sustainable Development. Member, Libyan Delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union. 
• Alyn Ware. Program Director, World Federalist Movement – Institute for Global Policy. Global Coordinator, Parliamentarians for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament. International Representative, Aotearoa Lawyers for Peace. 

Moderators

• Sophie Rigg, Co-Chair, Climate Action Network UK Board. Strategic Lead, Mobilizing an Earth Governance Alliance
• John Vlasto, Chair, World Federalist Movement – Institute for Global Policy

A side event of the 2025 Non-Proliferation Treaty Prep-Com
Thursday May 1, 2025. 15:15-16:45
Conference Room A, United Nations