6 September 2022, London – The “Activating a UN Special Session on Disarmament” conference, organized by the Strategic Concept for Removal of Arms and Proliferation (SCRAP Weapons) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), was hosted by the SOAS University in London. PAM was represented by Hon. Dumitrita Gliga, member of the Romanian delegation.

In a context of increasing international tensions, following Russian aggression against Ukraine, the event aimed at raising awareness about the disarmament agenda and promoting the activation of a fourth special session of the United Nations General Assembly, devoted to disarmament.

Hon. Gliga addressed the panel dedicated to the presentations from disarmament activists and organizations. In her intervention, she recalled the commitment of PAM to promote progress on disarmament, non-proliferation and weapons control, supporting the efforts of the international community to secure a global peaceful security environment.

Hon. Gliga reiterated the strong condemnation against Russia dangerous rhetoric and repeated threats of escalating the conflict in Ukraine to nuclear warfare. In particular, the “Russian decision to hamper the works of the Tenth Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and opposition to demilitarize the perimeter around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant”, clearly and unilaterally endanger the security of the European continent, the Mediterranean region and the entire planet.

All participants recognized that parliaments and parliamentarians are key stakeholders of the disarmament efforts on the international scene, to ensure compliance of multilateral commitments to disarmament and non-proliferation, avoid the escalation of conflicts, and offer protection not only to populations already victims of armed violence, but also safeguard the future of the planet.//