5th Meeting of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament 

Joint Statement by Gareth Evans and Yoriko Kawaguchi, Co-Chairs

Vienna: 2-4 July, 2010

The International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament will hold its final meeting in Vienna, 2-4 July, following the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review (NPT) Conference held 3-28 May in New York.

The Commission will review progress in meeting its mandate of re-energising global efforts towards the goal of eliminating nuclear threats and in particular the recommendations of its Report, 'Eliminating Nuclear Threats – A Practical Agenda for Global Policymakers', published on 15 December 2009 against the outcomes of the 2010 NPT Review Conference, - and consider the next steps in carrying forward the key recommendations of the Commission. It welcomes the opportunity to engage with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other key Vienna-based nuclear agencies, including the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).

The Commission will specifically consider proposals for the establishment of a Global Centre for nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament - that would produce an annual report card on progress toward these objectives, and provide both research and advocacy in cooperation with existing research bodies and think-tanks worldwide.

The Commission's Report expressly aimed at stimulating and influencing high level political discussion and decision-making across the world on all nuclear issues, including the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Following its launch, Co-chairs and Commissioners undertook an extensive advocacy and outreach program to bring the report to the attention of Government policy-makers, multilateral organisations, policy institutions, media and NGOs, targeting key nuclear conferences and stakeholders in over 30 countries.

For detailed background on the Commission, an independent global panel established by the governments of Australia and Japan, and the full text of its report, see www.icnnd.org.

Media Opportunities

Saturday 3 July, 09:00 am: photo opportunity at the opening of the Commission meeting at the Hilton Vienna Plaza hotel (Schottenring 11).

Monday 5 July, 16:30 pm, press conference at the Vienna International Centre, M-Building, Room M6 (Contact: Greg Webb; press@IAEA.org; 43 (1) 260022047; 43 (0) 69916522047; Fax 43 (1) 2600 29610.)

Please direct media inquiries, including requests for interviews with the ICNND Co-chairs, to the ICNND Secretariat: Leona Landers – 43 (0) 699 1708 5225, icnnd.@dfat.gov.au; or the Australian Embassy: Richard Holzer-Remondi - 43 (1) 506 74 183; - 43 (0) 699 1055 5011; richard.holzer-remondi@dfat.gov.au; or the Permanent Mission of Japan: Toshio Kaneko – 43 (1) 260 6345.