Success in the P5 Process
The P5 Process brings together the five nuclear weapon states (NWS)—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—recognised by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in a dedicated forum to discuss their unique responsibilities under the Treaty. In partnership with the European Leadership Network (ELN), CSSS is leading an innovative project funded by the U.K. Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to identify potential opportunities and challenges for the P5 Process in advance of the 2020 NPT Review Conference (RevCon). By bringing together leading nuclear experts from civil society and government in Track 2 and Track 1.5 dialogues, the project has developed a parallel process to official P5 proceedings. This culminated in the Civil Society Events at the London P5 Process meeting in February 2020.
This project fosters transparent and constructive dialogue around nuclear responsibilities, strategic risk reduction, nuclear doctrines, and the RevCon, among other topics. The project has identified specific opportunities and practical recommendations for P5 cooperation and progress in the NPT process in the final project report. These recommendations will be discussed at a dedicated side event at the quintennial RevCon.
Aims
The key aims of the project are:
- To anticipate opportunities and challenges for the P5 Process through Track 1.5 and Track 2 workshops prior to the February 2020 P5 meeting in London and 2020 NPT RevCon;
- To promote transparency on nuclear policy between the P5 states and civil society actors;
- To develop an inclusive, civil society process parallel to official P5 meetings;
- To identify specific opportunities for P5 cooperation in key policy areas; and
- To promote NPT objectives and positive atmospherics amongst the P5 and wider international community leading to the 2020 RevCon.
Impact
The project has three primary impacts:
- Policy - The project has produced a series of specific, practical recommendations for the P5 states. These recommendations identify opportunities for P5 cooperation in advance of the 2020 NPT RevCon and outline additional opportunities for the future of the P5 Process. Along with additional findings from the project workshops, the recommendations helped to inform the official P5 Process meeting agenda. These outcomes will be featured in a side event at the 2020 RevCon.
- Transparency - The project promotes greater transparency in the P5 Process. In developing a parallel process to official P5 meetings, the project has brought together leading government and non-governmental experts to discuss key issues facing the P5 and NPT. The Civil Society Events in February 2020 represented the largest Track 1.5 gathering of the P5 Process to date.
- Diversity and Inclusion - Engagement with and promotion of diverse views proves a particularly impactful project outcome. The project has featured the forward-looking perspectives of next-generation leaders on the greatest challenges facing the P5; engaged with regionally diverse civil society actors, including representatives from 16 non-nuclear weapon states (NNWS); included participants with diverse backgrounds from academia, government, and industry; and promoted gender balance, with 54% participation by female experts and a dedicated reception in partnership with Women in International Security (WIIS) UK as part of the February Civil Society Events.
Workshops & Events
Track 2 Workshop (October 2019): This event brought together civil society experts from the P5 states as well as Germany, India, the Netherlands, and Pakistan to discuss opportunities for P5 cooperation ahead of the P5 Process meeting and NPT RevCon. Utilising an innovative format, the Track 2 Workshop facilitated discussion around nuclear doctrines and strategic stability, risk reduction, the 2020 RevCon, and the future of the P5 Process. The workshop produced a series of recommendations aimed at ensuring a successful 2020 P5 Process meeting and RevCon.
Track 1.5 Workshop (November 2019): This workshop brought together civil society experts and government officials from the P5 states to test and refine the recommendations developed during the Track 2 Workshop. In a series of breakout and larger group discussions, participants considered key questions around nuclear doctrines and transparency, strategic risk reduction, and the way ahead for the NPT RevCon. The project team further refined and integrated these discussions into the project's Policy Recommendations memo.
P5 Civil Society Events (February 2020): On 11-12 February 2020, CSSS and the ELN hosted a series of P5 Process Civil Society Events. With nearly 80 civil society participants, the events featured next-generation leaders and brought together participants from all P5 states as well as 16 NNWS for frank and inclusive dialogue with official P5 delegates. These events fostered collaboration and innovative discussion around some of the NPT’s most significant challenges, including nuclear doctrines, transparency, and the future of arms control. A full report on the project is forthcoming.
A full report is available here.
Media coverage
- Official Statement to the United Nations (UN) Security Council briefing on the NPT: Ambassador Jonathan Allen, U.K. Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, discussed the P5 Civil Society Events in his remarks to the UN Security Council briefing on the NPT. He noted that the official P5 Process meeting included a ‘day for civil society and think tanks to engage with P5 officials’ to continue to promote transparency within the P5 Process.
- U.K. Foreign & Commonwealth ‘Disarmament Blog’: The P5 Civil Society Events were featured in the ‘Disarmament Blog', an FCO blog by the U.K. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament, Aidan Liddle. Ambassador Liddle noted that:
- ‘[The FCO] continued the P5 Conference tradition of a civil society segment. This one was bigger and better than ever: thanks to our partners at King’s College London and the European Leadership Network, the room was full, with almost 80 civil society participants from all five Nuclear Weapon States and 16 other countries. In a lively series of breakout groups, civil society participants engaged directly with members of the P5 delegations on some of the most important issues facing the NPT, not just in this review cycle, but looking ahead to the next. This element is now firmly embedded in the P5 Conference format, and an important contribution to transparency in the NPT.’
Media coverage
- Official Statement to the United Nations (UN) Security Council briefing on the NPT: Ambassador Jonathan Allen, U.K. Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, discussed the P5 Civil Society Events in his remarks to the UN Security Council briefing on the NPT. He noted that the official P5 Process meeting included a ‘day for civil society and think tanks to engage with P5 officials’ to continue to promote transparency within the P5 Process.
- U.K. Foreign & Commonwealth ‘Disarmament Blog’: The P5 Civil Society Events were featured in the ‘Disarmament Blog', an FCO blog by the U.K. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament, Aidan Liddle. Ambassador Liddle noted that:
- ‘[The FCO] continued the P5 Conference tradition of a civil society segment. This one was bigger and better than ever: thanks to our partners at King’s College London and the European Leadership Network, the room was full, with almost 80 civil society participants from all five Nuclear Weapon States and 16 other countries. In a lively series of breakout groups, civil society participants engaged directly with members of the P5 delegations on some of the most important issues facing the NPT, not just in this review cycle, but looking ahead to the next. This element is now firmly embedded in the P5 Conference format, and an important contribution to transparency in the NPT.’
Affiliations
Funding
Funding Body: UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Amount: £225,000
Period: May 2019 - May 2020