From June 28-30, Assistant Secretary for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, Frank A. Rose, co-chaired the third IPNDV Plenary meeting in Tokyo, Japan, that featured the participation of over 25 countries. The Partnership brings together some of the best technical minds in order to to address the complex challenges associated with nuclear disarmament verification for future arms control agreements. This will, in turn, contribute to progress in reducing the role and number of nuclear weapons, as the security conditions allow.
During the Tokyo Plenary meeting, the three Working Groups reviewed a series of draft papers and briefings related to the 10 output documents agreed to at the prior plenary in Oslo, Norway. These documents will catalogue a variety of concepts and options focused on disarmament verification, including potential inspection techniques, equipment, and procedures applicable to future agreements. The Partners also drew from written proposals drafted during the February 2016 intercessional meetings in Geneva, and produced detailed work plans for the remainder of the first phase of the Partnership, that extends through the end of 2017.
The United Arab Emirates has agreed to host a fourth Plenary meeting in November 2016, which will continue the Partnership’s focus on the efforts of the Working Groups.
More information about the IPNDV can be found at: //2009-2017.state.gov/t/avc/ipndv
Learn more about the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance (AVC) by visiting 2009-2017.state.gov/t/avc and following @StateAVC on Twitter.
