Browne Calls for Resolve on Nuclear Threat Reduction

NTI Vice Chairman Des Browne addressed experts at a meeting hosted by the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation and James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.

In his keynote remarks, he discussed the prospects for disarmament and the importance of verification, previewing NTI's Innovating Verification report series.

"In our line of work, it is important to remain optimistic, even in the face of all evidence to the contrary," said Browne. "And I am optimistic. After all, we must remember that there is much good and important work being done to advance the cause of global security."

"But prospects for talks on additional reductions are dim at best," he continued. "Much of our agenda is stuck – and we are clearly in an unfortunate place today, having squandered a recent period of opportunity for significant new progress on reductions."

Browne urged attendees not to let the current situation drain their resolve. "It’s important to remember that we will not always be in this moment," he said. "We can – and we must – work toward the day when it will change to favor our work and the work predicated by the NPT."

Read the speech.