Members of the UNRCPD and the Oxford Diplomatic Society
On 10 April 2026, the Oxford Diplomatic Society returned for a second time to the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) — and this time, the conversation went deeper. A delegation of students and young professionals gathered to dive headfirst into one of the region's most urgent challenges: disarmament. At the heart of the discussion was a question that grows more consequential by the day: what role will the next generation play in building a safer world?
This year's delegation comprised of students and working professionals from diverse academic backgrounds — including Oxford, London School of Economics, and Schwarzman Scholars. Led by Ms. Chiara Busiol, Disarmament Programmes Coordinator at UNRCPD, the interactive conversation encouraged participants to share their perspectives and opinions on the challenges and opportunities in disarmament.
A short video introduced the key principles of disarmament, covering the elimination of weapons of mass destruction and governance challenges posed by rapidly advancing technologies. The discussion also referenced the very first UN General Assembly resolution on the peaceful uses of atomic energy, reflecting the UN's longstanding mandate on disarmament and its humanitarian approach to addressing the impact of weapons.
With a strong foundation laid, Ms. Busiol brought the mandate of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and the UNRCPD into the spotlight, laying out the frameworks, regional projects, and initiatives that drive the Centre's work. She highlighted that youth engagement is one of the most powerful tools in advancing a safer world free from the threat of the misuse of weapons and explained the role that UNODA and UNRCPD play in fostering meaningful youth participation.
Curiosity around the programs of UNRCPD gave Ms. Busiol an opportunity to discuss the various projects that were carried out by the Centre, including the Fellowship Training Program on Small Arms and Light Weapons, and the Regional Briefing on military expenditure which brought together academicians, experts, and the youth in the region, among a few.
Ms. Busiol opening the session with ‘What is Disarmament?’
An engaging and interactive Q&A session closed the briefing with questions spanning topics such as regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence and cyber warfare, incentives for demilitarization, the evolving role of the UN, and the rising military expenditure. These questions gave UNRCPD the opportunity to further explain its mandate and to foster interest regarding topics such as disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation.
UNRCPD extends its sincere appreciation to the Oxford Diplomatic Society for its visit and active engagement. The Centre looks forward to continued collaboration with academic institutions and to further inspire and support young leaders in the field of disarmament.
For more information, contact unrcpd-info@un.org.
