Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the United States co-chaired the 15th ASEAN Regional Forum Inter-Sessional Meeting on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (ARF ISM on NPD) hosted by the United States in Honolulu, Hawaii on 29 April - 1 May 2024.

Mr. Bolbongse Vangphaen, Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs and co-chair, reiterated Thailand’s firm position in support of the strengthening and transparency in efforts towards non-proliferation and disarmament of nuclear weapons, together with the promotion of complementarity between related frameworks, to achieve the objective of total elimination of nuclear weapons. In addition, experts from Thailand participated as panelists to share Thailand’s experience and commitment on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, as well as its active contribution within the United Nations, particularly under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

The meeting also discussed ways to move forward regional and international cooperation on nuclear issues amidst the uncertain and volatile state of global strategic security. This included topics such as supporting enhanced cooperation between the Bangkok Treaty and the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy (ASEANTOM), new technologies that can be both opportunities and challenges to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament efforts—especially artificial intelligence, new developments in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and the leading role of youth and women in the promotion of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament efforts.

The ARF is an important ASEAN-led mechanism for security dialogue in the Asia-Pacific region. It provides a forum for the 27 Participants to foster constructive dialogue and consultation towards promoting confidence-building measures and preventative diplomacy in the region. The 5 main areas of cooperation under the ARF includes Disaster Relief, Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime, Maritime Security, Security of and in the Use of ICTs, and Non-Proliferation and Disarmament. Thailand co-chairs the ARF ISM on NPD with the United States and Sri Lanka for the term of 2022-2024 and hosted the 13th ARF ISM on NPD in 2022.