Nuclear-weapon-free zones (NWFZs) are important and practical regional measures by non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWSs) to promote the goals of maintaining strategic stability, nuclear non-proliferation, and strengthening confidence among states. Over the past half-century, significant progress has been made with NWFZs worldwide, and this rich experience should be leveraged to broaden the regime toward achieving a nuclear-weapon-free world (NWFW). Mongolia, with its unique single-state ‘nuclear-weapon-free’ status, offers valuable lessons.

This essay makes a case for building a more inclusive and effective NWFZ regime, based on Mongolia’s experience of attaining and promoting nuclear-weapon-free status as a single state. The author argues that an effective NWFZ regime must reflect the demands and requirements of the contemporary world order, especially with regards to information on measures that have been taken to keep the zone nuclear-free, as well as on verification and control measures. Also, the rights and obligations of NWFZs and the Nuclear Weapon States must be balanced; security assurances offered by the latter need to be clear-cut and legally binding and not remain as statements of intention. Experience also shows that non-nuclear-weapon states need to become more proactive and practical contributors to overall security based on their comparative advantages in promoting confidence-building and strengthening stability. 

About the Author

Enkhsaikhan Jargalsaikhan is an international lawyer and diplomat who has served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, representing his country in Austria and at the United Nations. He also served as the foreign policy and legal advisor to President P. Ochirbat, the first democratically elected President of Mongolia, and as Executive Secretary of the National Security Council of Mongolia when the State Great Hural (parliament) considered and adopted the country’s first concepts of national security and foreign policy in 1994. As the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jargalsaikhan served as the focal point in promoting Mongolia’s nuclear-weapon-free status.

Jargalsaikhan has contributed many articles on international relations, non-proliferation, and regional security, and organized/participated in many regional meetings aimed at promoting peace, stability, international cooperation, environmental protection, and good governance. He is Chairman of Blue Banner, a Mongolian NGO dedicated to promoting the goals of nuclear non-proliferation and Mongolia’s nuclear-weapon-free status. He was born in Mongolia in 1950 and has the title of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia.

The opinions articulated above represent the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Asia-Pacific Leadership Network or any of its members.

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