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This week, APLN hosts two sessions at the Jeju Forum, featuring several of our senior members, and we become the latest Asia-Pacific organisation to join Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy. Amrita Jash writes on the drivers of China’s nuclear modernisation, Amit Sharma argues that great power competition is making peace elusive in Ukraine, and we share member activities.
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Jayantha Dhanapala (1938-2023)
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| We are deeply saddened by the passing of our senior network member and former UN Under-Secretary General for Disarmament, Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala.
He was a distinguished international civil servant, disarmament and non-proliferation crusader, and deeply admired and respected in Sri Lanka and internationally for his expertise and dedication to a world free of weapons of mass destruction. He is widely credited for bringing the 1995 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review and Extension Conference to a successful conclusion, extending the Treaty indefinitely.
The APLN is grateful for his contributions to the cause of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and we pass our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this time. |
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Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity
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| This year, the Jeju Forum for Peace & Prosperity will be held from May 31 to June 2 focusing on the theme of “Working Together for Sustainable Peace and Prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.”
On June 1, APLN will co-host two special sessions with the East Asia Foundation titled “Dilemmas of Strategic Positioning: Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Future of ASEAN” and “The Age of Transformation?: Asia-Pacific vs. Indo-Pacific.”
The event will feature senior APLN members, senior experts, and international officials including APLN Vice Chair Moon Chung-in, Ambassador Kim Sung-hwan, Ambassador Sujata Mehta, Ambassador Ton-nu-thi Ninh, and Ambassador Kasit Piromya, among others. |
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APLN makes Gender Champions Pledge
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| APLN has joined Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy. GCNP is a leadership network that brings together heads of organisations working in nuclear policy who are committed to break down gender barriers and make gender equity a working reality.
By joining GCNP, we reaffirm our commitment to actively promoting gender equality and creating a more inclusive and diverse nuclear policy landscape. |
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From Minimum to Limited Deterrence:
China’s nuclear build-up and future implications
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| Amrita Jash‘s policy brief analyses China’s nuclear build-up, highlighting its shift from a minimum to a limited deterrent. Factors driving this change include a revised understanding of deterrence and a pursuit of enhanced status. Implications for rival countries like the United States, India, and Japan are significant, necessitating transparency, conflict resolution, and arms control discussions. |
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A Perspective on the War in Ukraine
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| Amit Sharma argues that great power competition is making peace in Ukraine elusive. The revival of US oil exports, the growing partnership between China and Russia, Russia’s nuclear threats, and the suspension of arms control treaties all raise concerns about strategic stability. The outcome of the war will impact global nuclear order and regional alliances, while the people of Ukraine urgently need peace. |
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APLN has more than 130 members from 20 countries in the Asia-Pacific. Below we feature some of their contributions to security debates in the region and beyond.
The latest APLN member activities can be found on the APLN website.
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| Nobumasa Akiyama, APLN Senior Associate Fellow and Professor at Hitotsubashi University, argues that the G7 should take a firm stand against moves that run counter to international norms and nuclear disarmament, while taking steps that provide a foundation and a way forward for the international community to make some progress toward the common goal of a world without nuclear weapons. |
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| John McCarthy, former Australian Ambassador to the United States, Indonesia and Japan, and High Commissioner to India, points out that New Delhi will never involve itself in any US confrontation with China that did not threaten its own security. It is guided by what it thinks is best for India. |
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| Manpreet Sethi, APLN Senior Research Adviser, argues that despite 25 incident-free years between India and Pakistan, it would be naive to ignore the potential for future dangers, considering the unresolved issues and grievances between the two countries. It is imperative to energise existing communication channels or build new ones to avert the possibility of a full-blown crisis. |
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| Ramesh Thakur, Director of the Centre for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament at the Australian National University, examines the Indo-Pacific nuclear situation and evaluates potential avenues for Australia to play a significant role in mitigating nuclear risks. |
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