PH Underscores Urgency of Nuclear Risk Reduction at ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop

DFA Assistant Secretary for United Nations and Other International Organizations Kira Christianne Danganan-Azucena chairs one of the sessions during the Workshop.

BRISBANE 30 March 2023 – The Philippines co-chaired with Australia the 2nd ARF Workshop on Nuclear Risk Reduction on 22-23 March 2023, where participants underlined the need to reduce risks associated with the use of nuclear weapons.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for United Nations and Other International Organizations Kira Christianne Danganan-Azucena served as Philippine co-chair for the Workshop, alongside Ambassador for Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation Ian Biggs of Australia.

“The threat of the use of nuclear weapons still looms over all of us. We must therefore remain dedicated to the work of eliminating them at the soonest possible time, utilizing the existing security dialogue architecture, to reaffirm our commitments and obligations to this end, promote a clear understanding of the risks that lie along the road, and agree on and produce concrete steps that bring us closer to our collective goal,” said Assistant Secretary Danganan-Azucena in her opening remarks. 

In a country statement, the Philippines emphasized that nuclear risk may be eliminated only if nuclear weapons cease to exist. Efforts to reduce nuclear risk should therefore not legitimize the existence of nuclear weapons nor serve as a substitute for tangible progress in fulfilling nuclear disarmament obligations.

The Workshop featured expert panel discussions on nuclear risk reduction and current prospects for disarmament, both globally and from the ASEAN regional perspective. Participants also discussed measures that ARF members may consider implementing to reduce nuclear risk.

DFA Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations Carlos D. Sorreta provided a pre-recorded keynote message for the Workshop, where he highlighted the ARF as an ideal platform to advance cooperation in reducing nuclear risk:  “The ARF continues with its work, bringing together parties to some of the world’s longest-standing conflicts and flashpoints. The ARF, like many other ASEAN-led mechanisms, is a testament to the convening power of ASEAN." 

Established in 1994, the ASEAN Regional Forum aims to promote open dialogue on political and security cooperation among its members, with a view to advancing confidence-building and preventive diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region. The ARF undertakes regular discussions and cooperation in various areas, including non-proliferation and disarmament. 

The 1st ARF Workshop on Nuclear Risk Reduction was held virtually on 18-19 November 2020, and was also co-chaired by the Philippines and Australia. END

Participants of the 2nd ARF Workshop on Nuclear Risk Reduction (DFAT Australia photo)