Ambassador (Ret.) Jayantha Dhanapala
This Award is presented to Jayantha Dhanapala for his contribution to nuclear disarmament as Chair of the 1995 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Conference. At this conference, Mr. Dhanapala masterfully secured success in the adoption of the indefinite extension of the Treaty requiring fulfillment of the treaty obligations of both nuclear weapons states and non-nuclear weapons states.
Jayantha Dhanapala was subsequently invited by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to become both the architect and the engine of a re-established Department of Disarmament Affairs. During his tenure as UN Under-Secretary-General of Disarmament Affairs, Mr. Dhanapala's actions and strong, principled stand and commitment in calling on the nuclear weapons states to fulfill their obligations to eliminate their nuclear arsenals went “beyond the call of duty.” His call for an International Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission, and his leading advocacy for the conclusion of a Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and substantially elevated disarmament and non-proliferation education on the UN Agenda opened avenues to nuclear disarmament.
Jayantha Dhanapala is a man who places the highest value on principles and has succeeded in being a positive force for change on one of the most urgent global challenges of our time.
Mr. Dhanapala is currently President of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs.
Photo: Dr. Jennifer Simons presents The Simons Foundation Award to Jayantha Dhanapala (Credit: Christopher Morris Photography)
