United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia, Pacific to Resume Operations from Kathmandu, Nepal, 21 November

NEW YORK, 17 November (Office for Disarmament Affairs) —— The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific is finalizing preparations to resume operations from its headquarters in Kathmandu, following a temporary relocation after the devastating earthquakes that hit Nepal in 2015.

Since 2008, the Regional Centre has strengthened its capacity to implement regional activities in support of Member States of Asia and the Pacific on disarmament, arms control and non‑proliferation, according to their practical needs.  It will further strengthen its promotion of regional dialogue and confidence‑building, peace and security issues.

On 21 November, the Foreign Minister of Nepal, Prakash Sharan Mahat, and United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Under‑Secretary‑General Kim Won‑soo, will unveil a plaque commemorating the resumption of operations from the new premises in Kathmandu.

Also on this occasion, the “Kathmandu Process”, a dialogue among States in Asia and the Pacific on disarmament, arms control and non‑proliferation issues, will be revitalized.  The first event of this Process is a high‑level round table on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1540 (2004).  The round table, organized by the Regional Centre in partnership with the Government of Nepal and the Committee established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1540 (2004), will discuss the 2016 comprehensive review on the status of implementation of the resolution, the role of regional cooperation, and synergies between the resolution and other disarmament and non-proliferation instruments, such as the Biological Weapons Convention.

For further information, please contact Yuriy Kryvonos, Director of United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, at info@unrcpd.org.