March 13, 2025
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In 2022, at the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic, the UN General Assembly declared March 5th as the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation. The significance of this resolution lies in raising global awareness of the risks posed to humanity by weapons of mass destruction and illegal attempts to proliferate them in violation of international legal norms. Education remains an underappreciated tool in the efforts to build peace and promote disarmament processes. Educated and responsible citizens are key allies and a reliable foundation for the diplomacy of peace. The Kyrgyz Republic, as one of the initiators and depositaries of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia, remains steadfast in its commitment to the principles of peace, nonviolence, and the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
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For the reason, the students and faculty of the International and Comparative Politics Department were invited to visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, and attended conference.
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The lecture opened with welcoming remarks by Mr. Asein Isaev, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, who emphasized the significance of this International Day, which was the result of the dedicated efforts of Kyrgyz diplomats. He highlighted the importance of education and knowledge in promoting peace and security. Mr. Asein Isaev particularly stressed that youth鈥攕tudents, researchers, future diplomats, and experts鈥攃an play a crucial role in shaping a safer future.
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A special video address was also delivered by Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs. She noted that disarmament is, above all, about building trust through dialogue. As the global disarmament architecture faces increasing challenges and distrust replaces dialogue, raising awareness about disarmament and non-proliferation becomes even more critical. She emphasized that meaningful youth engagement is essential to making disarmament more effective, sustainable, and inclusive.
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Ms. Nakamitsu also encouraged students to take an active part in the newly launched UN Office for Disarmament Affairs initiatives, including the 芦Not One Nuclear Explosion Campaign禄 (N.O.N.E) and the 芦Youth Leader Fund for a World without Nuclear-Weapons禄.
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The keynote speakers of the event were:
- Professor William Potter, Director of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (Monterey, USA).
- Mr. Deepayan Basu Ray, Director of the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Kathmandu.
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Professor William Potter delivered a lecture on the balance sheet of disarmament and non-proliferation, as well as the most effective approaches to disarmament and non-proliferation education. In turn, Director Deepayan Basu Ray shared insights on how young professionals can contribute to global disarmament efforts.
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Davlatbekova, Shukrona:
鈥樷�橳he Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness Conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made us think of an听 important question: Why does the world still hold onto weapons that can destroy it? They exist to protect countries, yet they are the biggest threat to humanity. If these weapons can erase entire cities in seconds, why are they still kept?
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The whole idea of disarmament is both necessary and frustrating at the same time. Necessary because weapons (especially nuclear ones) are a threat to everyone, not just the countries that own them. Frustrating because despite all the treaties, speeches, and awareness campaigns, nations still hold onto them out of fear and power struggles.
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What really stands out is the absurd amount of money spent on weapons when so many global problems - poverty, healthcare, climate change - are still unresolved. Imagine if even half of those resources went into things that actually improve lives instead of preparing for destruction. But the biggest problem is - Trust. No country wants to disarm first because they fear others won鈥檛 follow. It鈥檚 a cycle of "we need weapons because they have weapons." That鈥檚 why awareness and international pressure matter. People, especially young voices, need to push for policies that prioritize peace over military strength. So while disarmament might feel idealistic, it鈥檚 not impossible. It鈥檚 just about breaking the cycle of fear and proving that real security comes from cooperation, not from who has the biggest arsenal.
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Note: When walking out of the event, one thought stayed in mind: True peace isn鈥檛 about avoiding war. It鈥檚 about creating a world where weapons are no longer needed to feel safe.鈥欌��
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Yousufzai, Khadija:
鈥淎ttending the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness conference was a valuable opportunity to deepen my understanding of global security and the role of youth in promoting peace. The lectures by Dr. William C. Potter and Mr. Deepayan Basu Ray provided important insights into disarmament efforts and the challenges of non-proliferation. I found the discussion on international cooperation and the role of youth particularly relevant, as it emphasized the need for collective action in addressing nuclear threats. The Q&A session at the end of the conference was highly engaging, fostering deeper conversations on how young people can contribute to these efforts. This experience broadened my perspective on disarmament and reinforced my interest in exploring ways to support non-proliferation initiatives through my studies and future endeavors.鈥�
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