The Nuclear Future: An Agenda for Disarmament?

For decades nuclear proliferation has been an ebbing threat and influence over international relations. There have been continuous efforts since the 1940s to prevent nuclear proliferation, yet it continues to be a significant and prominent issue in current global affairs. This discussion with Ambassador Stephen Klement and Professor Ramesh Thakur will address alternative ambitions to prevent nuclear proliferation, the impact of this on nuclear ambitions in Europe-Asia relations, and what the future of nuclear use will look like for the next generation. Our speakers will share their personal areas of expertise, with Ambassador Klement talking on the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (also known as the Iran nuclear deal), and Professor Thakur discussing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Speakers: 

Ambassador Stephan Klement: Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the International Organisations in Vienna

Dr. Stephan Klement is the new Permanent Representative of the European Union to the United Nations in Vienna and Special Advisor in charge of the nuclear implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in the European External Action Service (EEAS). He has been involved in the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue since 2004. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the nuclear policy and nuclear non-proliferation field, working in different European Institutions, as well as in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He is the holder of a doctoral degree in physics as well as in international law.

Professor Ramesh Thakur: Emeritus Professor at the Crawford School of Public Policy and Former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations

Ramesh Thakur is Emeritus Professor in the Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University, Senior Research Fellow, the Toda Peace Institute, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs. His last post was Director of the Centre for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament at the ANU. He was formerly Senior Vice Rector of the United Nations University and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations. Educated in India and Canada, he has held full time academic appointments in Fiji, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia and been a consultant to the Australian, New Zealand and Norwegian governments on arms control, disarmament and international security issues. Professor Thakur was a Commissioner and one of the principal authors of The Responsibility to Protect doctrine and Co-Convenor of the Asia–Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament amongst other notable roles.