62nd Annual DPI/NGO Conference: “For Peace and Development: Disarm Now!”

Participants from around the world will gather from 9 to 11 September, 2009, to discuss how they can contribute to reducing arms while advancing peace. The current global economic and food crises have necessitated a realignment of the world’s financial resources. This can only be enhanced by effect comprehensive disarmament.

The DPI/NGO Conference is the main NGO event of the year at the United Nations. It typically attracts 2,000 representatives from some 90 countries. This year’s conference is organized by a partnership of the U.N. Department of Public Information in cooperation with the DPI/NGO Executive Committee, the Government of Mexico, and the U.N. Office for Disarmament Affairs. For the second time in its six-decade history, the Conference is held outside the United Nations New York Headquarters. Based on last year’s experience, we expect the new location will enhance participation of NGOs particularly from the Caribbean and Latin America.

The conference aims to highlight effective ways in which civil society can contribute to the advancement of disarmament, peace and development at the international, regional, national and local levels. We also expect to generate greater global awareness of disarmament issues and strengthen commitments to address them among diverse stakeholders worldwide.

A major feature of this conference will be its emphasis on active participation. This will include four roundtable discussions and breakout sessions as well as interactive dialogues. There will also be 24 late afternoon regional workshops, daily caucuses and many other activities. The Conference will feature keynote addresses from major figures in the disarmament world. It is hoped that the three day exchange of ideas will afford civil society the opportunity to influence the global discussions and lay the groundwork for the all-important 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference.