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The UN Disarmament Fellows’ Visits
The European Union (EU) Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium is tasked with arranging the visit of the United Nations (UN) Programme of Fellowships on Disarmament to Brussels, Belgium. The Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) organises the two-to-three-day visit which aims to familiarise participants with the structure and functions of the EU’s main institutions and policy-making bodies, as well as the EU’s strategies and policies in the field.
Launched by the General Assembly in 1978 at its first special session devoted to disarmament, the UN Programme of Fellowships on Disarmament aims to train and build the capacity of officials from UN Member States to enable them to participate more effectively in international disarmament deliberating and negotiating fora. Since its inception in 1979, participants in the Fellowship Programme are selected by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) based on nominations from Member States. The selection process considers the greater needs of developing countries by training their young diplomats in the field of disarmament and security, and the need for geographical and gender balance. Many participants of the programme have held positions of responsibility in the field of disarmament within their governments and disarmament-related international organisations.
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▶ UN Disarmament Fellows: EU-Focused Day in Vienna – April 2025
On 10 April 2025, the VCDNP, on behalf of the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC), was pleased to organise and host a one-day programme in Vienna to provide the 2025 UN Disarmament Fellows with an overview of the policies and functioning of the European Union (EU), in particular related to non-proliferation and disarmament. The 24 UN Disarmament Fellows represented countries from around the world, with this year’s cohort including only one EU Member State representative.
The intensive programme brought together speakers from the EU Delegation in Vienna, representatives from the European External Action Service (EEAS), and the EU Commission in person and virtually, as well as members of the EUNPDC network. Ambassador Carl Hallergard, EU Ambassador to the International Organisations in Vienna, welcomed the Fellows and provided remarks reflecting on Europe’s history, the establishment of the European Union, and the challenges Europe faces today. These themes were seen throughout the programme.
EU Ambassador in Vienna Carl Hallergard and VCDNP Executive Director Elena K. Sokova with the UN Disarmament Fellows
Following welcome remarks, the programme commenced with an overview of the key EU institutions, covering in detail the European Council, the Council of the EU, the European Commission, and the European Parliament. Subsequent sessions focused on thematic areas, including the European Union’s approach to space security, emerging technologies and arms control, and export controls on arms and dual-use items.
The programme concluded with a presentation from EUNPDC network member Dr. Oliver Meier, Policy & Research Director at the European Leadership Network, focused on Europe and the European Union in today’s changing world.
The highlight of the programme was the opportunity for the Fellows to engage in an in-person, informal dialogue with EEAS Special Envoy for Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Ambassador Stephan Klement. The session covered topics across the weapons of mass destruction (WMD) spectrum, the EU’s 2003 WMD strategy, and the EU’s role in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
The interactive dialogue allowed for an open and frank conversation about the EU’s position in the non-proliferation and disarmament field and the challenges today’s geopolitical environment presents.
EU Special Envoy for Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Stephan Klement and VCDNP Executive Director Elena K. Sokova
The one-day EU-focused programme in Vienna was packed with dynamic presentations, active Q&A sessions, and positive feedback from the participants.
The VCDNP extends its gratitude to the European External Action Service and the EU Delegation in Vienna for their support and cooperation in organising the programme, and thanks the European Union for its support to the EUNPDC for making the event possible.
▶ UN Disarmament Fellows Visit to Brussels – June 2024
From 18 to 19 June 2024, the VCDNP, on behalf of the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC), organised a visit for the 2024 UN Disarmament Fellows to Brussels, Belgium, to learn more about the policies and functioning of the European Union, in particular on non-proliferation and disarmament.
The group of 25 Fellows, representing countries from around the world, travel to various centres of international disarmament and non-proliferation, including Geneva, Vienna, and New York, to gather insights about the work of the international organisations and to gain a better understanding of issues relevant to non-proliferation and disarmament.
UN Disarmament Fellows and VCDNP staff visiting the EU Council
The programme in Brussels commenced on 18 June with a tour of the EU Council, to learn about one of the key legislative branches of the European Union and how decisions are made in the EU. Following the tour, participants proceeded to the European External Action Service (EEAS), where Deputy Head of the Division for Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Export Controls Mr. Stefan Tressing welcomed them. The Fellows were introduced to the work of the Division and of other policy-making organs in the EU working on non-proliferation and disarmament matters, as well as the EU’s overall approach to these issues.
Following Mr. Tressing’s remarks, the work of the Council Working Party on Arms Export Control (COARM) and Council Working Party on Non-Proliferation (CONOP) was discussed. The day ended with presentations from representatives of the EU institutions and EUNPDC network on outer space and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. The UN Disarmament Fellows were also given the opportunity to hear from a representative of NATO on its work in arms control, disarmament, and weapons of mass destruction non-proliferation.
UN Disarmament Fellows receiving presentations at the European External Action Service
On the second day, the UN Disarmament Fellows visited the European Parliament. The tour was timely given the recent European Parliament elections that took place in early June 2024. The visit explained the Parliament’s structure and functioning, its co-legislative role together with the EU Council, and how decisions are made. After the visit, the Fellows heard thematic presentations covering a range of topics from cyber security, missile defence, and illicit arms trafficking, to the role of the EU Joint Research Centre and a review of Belgium’s presidency of the EU Council. An overview of the history, structure, and activities of the EUNPDC was provided as well.
UN Disarmament Fellows and VCDNP staff visiting the EU Council
At the end of the programme an anonymous survey was circulated. Overall, the participants found the programme to be very good and useful. A selection of comments is posted below (quoted as written):
“The session helped me to understand the role of the EU in the realm of non-proliferation and disarmament.”
“It was an excellent introduction to the work that EU is doing in regards to Disarmament and non-proliferation. I had very little knowledge prior but this visit has set a good base that I will build on.”
“It was extremely useful for a better understanding of the rules and functioning process of the main European institutions.”
The VCDNP extends its gratitude to the European External Action Service and the EU Council for their support and cooperation in organising the visit, made possible thanks to the generous support of the European Union for the EUNPDC.
▶ The UN Disarmament Fellows’ Visit to Brussels – September 2023
From 13 to 15 September 2023, the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP), on behalf of the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC), organised a visit to the seat of the European policy organs in Brussels for participants of the United Nations Programme of Fellowships on Disarmament.
Browse the visit’s programme here.
UN Fellows and VCDNP staff at the European External Action Service with Marjolijn van Deelen (in green)
The visit of the UN Disarmament Fellows to Brussels, which has taken place every year since 2018, is aimed at introducing participants to the EU’s decision-making processes and policies on disarmament and non-proliferation.
This year, the programme started with a visit to the European External Action Service (EEAS), where the Fellows were welcomed by Amb. Marjolijn van Deelen, EU Special Envoy for Non-Proliferation and Disarmament.
At the EEAS, the Fellows gained insights into the EU’s extensive involvement in international security, non-proliferation, and disarmament matters, including countering the spread of weapons of mass destruction, coordinating arms and dual-use export controls, and formulating policies on outer space. Presentations were delivered by EEAS and European Commission experts from different offices.
Jose Torres, Policy Officer in the Directorate General for Trade of the European Commission delivering a presentation
Following briefings at the EEAS, fellows were offered a guided tour of the Council premises where a wide array of significant events, including EU summits, multilateral summits, and ministerial meetings are held.
The second day of the visit was dedicated to thematic presentations from experts at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NATO, and the EUNPDC Network.
Eirini Lemos-Maniati, Deputy Director of the Arms Control, Disarmament, and WMD Non-Proliferation Centre, briefed the Fellows on NATO’s work in the field; Sigurd Schelstraete, Director of Disarmament and Non-Proliferation at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offered a national perspective; and Dr. Sybille Bauer, Chair of the EUNPD Consortium, provided an overview of the Consortium’s history, structure, goals, and activities.
Raluca Csernatoni, Louis Reitmann, and Clémence Poirier, respectively researchers at Carnegie Europe, the VCDNP, and the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) and members of the EUNPDC Network, provided insights on artificial intelligence, the value of diversity for nuclear weapons policy, as well as ballistic missile proliferation and cybersecurity.
Fellows were then offered tours of the Parlamentarium and the House of European History, where they learned about the complexity and the decades-long processes that led to the creation of the European Union as well as the structure and functions of the EU policy-making bodies.
UN Fellows and VCDNP staff at the European Council
The VCDNP would like to extend its gratitude to the EEAS and the EU Council for their generous support and cooperation in organizing this visit.