Roundtable Discussion on Article VI

Written By Carrene Gepilano

On 9 May 2025, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (NAPF) and its youth initiative, Reverse The Trend (RTT), in collaboration with the Missions of the Philippines, Kiribati, and Kazakhstan, convened a timely discussion on Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Speakers Included: Keina Tito, First Secretary of Kiribati; Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta, the Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN in Geneva; Julia Eberl, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Austria; Azamat Kairolda, Counsellor of Kazakhstan’s Permanent Mission; and Seth Shelden, General Counsel and UN Liaison of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). Christian N. Ciobanu, Policy and Advocacy Director of NAPF, RTT Project Coordinator, and Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) Adviser for Kiribati, moderated the event. Keina Tito discussed the lack of progress by nuclear-armed states on their nuclear disarmament commitments. She also emphasised the need for increased awareness of the humanitarian and environmental consequences of nuclear weapons, especially in regions like the Pacific. She also urged the nuclear-armed states to address the impact of their nuclear weapon testing programmes. Tito further noted that the TPNW complements and advances Article VI. Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta provided a comparison between the 2010 NPT Review Conference and today’s diplomatic climate. He recalled a more hopeful atmosphere in 2010, marked by multilateral cooperation and fewer geopolitical obstacles. In contrast to the 2010 atmosphere, he warned that “minor offenses” and personality clashes could derail consensus-building efforts in 2026. Ambassador Sorreta stressed the critical role civil society organisations (CSOs) played in 2010 and expressed concern that replicating that level of engagement may be difficult next year. Julia Eberl pointed to the growing humanitarian focus within disarmament discourse. She recounted the evolution of the humanitarian initiative and the groundwork that led to the creation of the TPNW. She explained how support for discussions on humanitarian consequences rose from 16 to 159 states between 2012 and 2015. Referencing the failed outcome of the 2015 Review Conference, she noted that the Humanitarian Pledge and subsequent UN General Assembly resolution approved by 143 states provided momentum for the TPNW. Eberl insisted that the “TPNW contributes to the NPT” and stressed the need for verification, victim assistance, and continued scientific research on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons. Azamat Kairolda reminded the audience that nuclear weapons are not a theoretical issue for Kazakhstan. “1.5 million Kazakhs were affected,” he said, referring to Soviet-era testing at Semipalatinsk. He urged for time-bound steps toward disarmament and the creation of an international trust fund. He also underscored the importance of nuclear weapon free zones. He further called on states to treat nuclear disarmament as a “contemporary humanitarian challenge” and not a matter of historical memory alone. Seth Shelden reaffirmed the importance of the TPNW in pushing forward global disarmament efforts. Shelden emphasised that the TPNW complements the NPT and fulfills the intent of Article VI by promoting genuine disarmament. “Whether or not the TPNW will ultimately bring about a nuclear free world, it remains an effective measure,” he said, calling on states to move beyond rhetoric. Furthermore, he praised TPNW states parties as leaders in the nuclear disarmament movement. He noted that a majority of NPT states parties are already states parties or signatories to the TPNW, and predicted that, by the time of the NPT Review Conference, they will also constitute a majority of UN member states overall, giving more voice to states advocating for disarmament. During the interactive discussion with the audience, Dr. Rebecca Johnson of the Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy highlighted the need for stronger legal measures to address global security and nuclear disarmament, as outlined in her paper “Making the NPT Work for Global Security.” She urged a focus on preventing nuclear escalation and eliminating nuclear weapons, advocating for treaties that explicitly prohibit the use, possession, and related activities. Johnson suggested that TPNW states parties should treat nuclear weapons as crimes, similar to chemical and biological weapons. Jackie Cabasso of Western States Legal Foundation raised a key question: “To what extent do concerns and uncertainty about US government leadership impact these discussions?” Panelists responded by stressing the importance of maintaining faith in the professionalism of the US foreign policy bureaucracy. They acknowledged the current challenges but expressed confidence that many capable professionals are still engaged, even if their roles are currently less visible. Nonetheless, the speakers expressed hope that once stability returns, US engagement in nuclear disarmament dialogue will resume with full strength. As preparations intensify for the 2026 Review Conference, the message from the round table was clear: words are no longer enough. With Article VI obligations unfulfilled and disarmament progress stagnating, many participants argued that the TPNW offers a viable and necessary path forward.