UNIS/MA/329
22 June 2023

MEDIA ADVISORY

Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

31 July – 11 August 2023 at Vienna International Centre

Press briefing now at 2 p.m. on Monday 31st July

UNITED NATIONS, 22 June 2023 – The first meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) will be held at the Vienna International Centre in Vienna, Austria from 31 July - 11 August 2023. The Chair-designate of the first session is Ambassador Jarmo Viinanen of Finland.

The NPT entered into force in 1970 and was extended indefinitely in 1995. The Treaty is regarded as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and an essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. It was designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, to further the goals of nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament, and to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The next Review Conference of the NPT will be held in 2026. In the three years leading up to that meeting, the Preparatory Committee convenes annually to consider principles, objectives and ways to promote the full implementation of the Treaty, as well as its universality, and to make recommendations to the Review Conference.

At this first Preparatory Committee meeting, States parties will consider specific matters of substance relating to the implementation of the Treaty and relevant decisions. The opening meeting will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, 31 July, and will be held in the M-Plenary Conference Room (M-Building, first floor) at the Vienna International Centre.

Media access

Media representatives wishing to cover the conference are advised to apply for accreditation in advance through the United Nations INDICO platform. Facilities for the media including a press working area will be available at the Vienna International Centre.

Opening press briefing

Members of the media are invited for a press briefing with the Chair-designate Ambassador Jarmo Viinanen.

Date and time: Monday 31 July, 2 p.m.

Venue: Room C0225A, C-Building, 2nd Floor, Vienna International Centre

Live broadcast of the NPT Preparatory Committee

Open meetings will be broadcast live on UN WebTV. For schedule please see UN Journal, Media Alert, UN Web TV schedule, UNTV pool operation and other media resources, all of which are updated daily.

Side events

Alongside the official programme, various side events related to the three “pillars” of the NPT (disarmament, non-proliferation, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy) will be organized, featuring discussions with stakeholders ranging from UN agencies, governments, NGOs, and youth groups.

Exhibitions

Throughout the meeting, dedicated areas across the Vienna International Centre will feature exhibitions organised by States, local governments, and civil society organisations.

Resources

More information about the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons can be found here.  

For more information about the Preparatory Committee, see the dedicated webpage.

For accreditation, see the Media Accreditation to the Vienna International Centre website.

Social media

Follow us on social media, using the hashtags, #NPTPrepCom.

On Twitter: @UN_Disarmament (United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs), @INakamitsu (High Representative for Disarmament Affairs)

On Instagram: @unitednations_oda

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Media Contacts

Anne Thomas,
Information Officer,
UN Information Service Vienna,
Telephone: (+43 1) 260605588
Email: anne.thomas[at]un.org

 Suzanne Oosterwijk,
Political Affairs Officer,
Information and Outreach Branch,
UN Office for Disarmament Affairs,
Telephone: +1 917 367 2556
E-mail: suzanne.oosterwijk[at]un.org