A Total of 23 Teams and 46 Students Comprising Undergraduate and Graduate Students from Domestic Universities Attended
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The "2020 Youth Model Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Conference," jointly hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, and the Korean Nuclear Policy Association, was held on the 10th at the Royal Hotel in Seoul, the Ministry announced on the 12th.
This conference was promoted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the NPT's entry into force, which is regarded as the cornerstone of the international non-proliferation regime, and to enhance public interest and understanding of the NPT.
The NPT is an international treaty forming the foundation of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. It came into effect in March 1970 and aims to prevent the horizontal proliferation of nuclear weapons, realize nuclear disarmament, and promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy. NPT parties hold review conferences every five years to assess treaty implementation.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the NPT's entry into force and the 25th anniversary of its indefinite extension. The review conference was originally scheduled to be held in New York from April 27 to May 22, but was tentatively postponed to early next year due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
A total of 23 teams comprising 46 university and graduate students from Korea participated in this conference, sharing opinions on ways to advance nuclear disarmament and adopting a final document reflecting youth perspectives on nuclear disarmament progress.
Starting with the opening remarks by Lee Tae-ho, the 2nd Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, congratulatory video messages were delivered by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Gustavo Zlavinen, Chair of the 2020 NPT Review Conference, and Izumi Nakamitsu, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, to support the activities of the youth participants.
As a result of the conference, Lee Won-jin and Han Geum-sang from France, and Kim Chae-rin and Bae Sang-ryeong from Egypt, who presented creative perspectives on strengthening nuclear disarmament implementation from a youth viewpoint, were awarded the Minister of Foreign Affairs Award (Grand Prize) and the Korea National Diplomatic Academy President Award (Excellence Award), respectively. Notably, this conference is evaluated as significant in that it led youth participation in disarmament and non-proliferation discussions as part of implementing the "Youth and Disarmament and Non-Proliferation" resolution adopted under the leadership of the Korean government at the 2019 UN General Assembly.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
