On 1 - 5 December 2025, Mrs. Chatvadee Chindawongse, Deputy Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs, attended the first “Qualified group of experts to prepare a comprehensive study of the question of nuclear-weapon-free zones in all its aspects” meeting at the United Nations Headquarters, New York.

The meeting exchanged views on important aspects of nuclear-weapon-free zones, such as historical background, obligations, mechanism, ratification, and cooperation. The Deputy Director-General presented on the “Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ)” or the “Bangkok Treaty.” The meeting, convened pursuant to United Nations General Assembly resolution 79/241 on the ‘Comprehensive study of the question of nuclear-weapon-free zones in all its aspects,’ provides an important opportunity to review and identify ways to strengthen nuclear-weapon-free zones across different regions.

At present, there are 5 regions with nuclear-weapon-free zones including: (1) Latin America and the Caribbean; (2) South Pacific; (3) Southeast Asia; (4) Africa; and (5) Central Asia. The meeting was participated by experts from every zone. Mrs. Chatvadee is one of two experts from the ASEAN region in the Group.