New York
April 8-19, 2002
The NPT should be supported by a permanent secretariat based at the United Nations. There needs to be a formal analysis of the best format for such a modest institutional requirement.
NPT SECRETARIAT
The NPT does not have a permanent secretariat. There is no centralized mechanism where ongoing compliance with Treaty commitments can be monitored, grievances lodged, inquiries regarding compliance made, and guidance sought. As a result, progress on meeting the goals of the NPT is slowed, formal negotiations at the Review Conferences and PrepComs are delayed by disagreements over compliance issues, and efficiency in the important work of advancing the non-proliferation and disarmament commitments embodied in the NPT is hindered.
The Global Security Institute recommends the creation of a permanent secretariat that could serve as a repository of information and as an ombudsman to receive, review, verify for accuracy, and properly direct complaints about non-compliance and other difficulties States parties may have with the NPT process. This function could at once increase the profile of legitimate concerns, ensuring that serious complaints reach all members of the NPT, and reduce the frequency of unfounded complaints or inquiries, often floated through the media, that may actually disrupt the process.
Those complaints that are well founded deserve a more structured, systematic and evenhanded treatment than they currently receive. The alternative is debating non-compliance issues without formally addressing the serious ramifications thereof, a process that diminishes the effectiveness of the Non-proliferation regime.
An NPT secretariat must derive its mandate from the entire NPT body, as does the Executive Council in the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. In addition to its ombudsman role, such a body could also be able to develop informed recommendations for the full NPT body, and the Security Council, thereby enhancing and expediting the implementation process.
The costs of implementing this proposal are minimal compared to the gains in efficiency. It should be obvious that we must avail ourselves of every reasonable resource to deal effectively with the world’s greatest threat.
Respectfully submitted by the Global Security Institute