Lessons From Training, Dialogue And Research: The Vcdnp’S Contribution To Nuclear Governance

Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, Vienna, Austria.The Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation serves as a hub for training, results-oriented dialogue and research on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, particularly on “Vienna issues.” Since the Center opened in 2011, it has held over 25 short courses for diplomats and practitioners on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, as well as courses for Vienna-based ambassadors, students of the natural sciences, and specialised courses focused on nuclear safeguards and nuclear security. In 2018, the VCDNP was recognised for this work in UN General Assembly resolution 73/73 -- the only non-governmental organization mentioned in the resolution along with four major international organizations. Given its close ties to the diplomatic community, the IAEA, the CTBTO and other international organizations in Vienna, the VCDNP also functions as a convener and platform for dialogue that brings together these different stakeholders. These discussions provide an opportunity to reach across traditional divides and break silos to have meaningful exchanges on nuclear issues. The VCDNP has organised and hosted numerous track 1.5 meetings, brought different sectors together to discuss the false dichotomy between peaceful uses of nuclear energy and nuclear security, and fostered important dialogue between the safeguards and export control communities with the aim to strengthen nuclear governance. The VCDNP’s current research agenda is focused on a number of pressing issues, including ways to make the most of the tenth NPT Review Conference, evolution in IAEA safeguards, analysis on the modern state of nuclear arms control, universalization of nuclear security conventions and many other nuclear governance issues. VCDNP staff further contribute to the discourse on nuclear issues with analysis on current issues, such as safeguards vis-à-vis the JCPOA and alternatives should the Open Skies Treaty collapse completely. With these different lines of work, the VCDNP partners with governments, international organisations and other civil society organisations to have the maximum impact in the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament sphere. This paper will detail the VCDNP’s different lines of work in this field and lessons learned.[330/350 words]