Expert Exchange on Crisis Communications and Crisis Prevention Mechanisms

In their working paper to the 2020 Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (P5) highlighted “effective crisis prevention and crisis management tools” as a major element for reducing the potential for inadvertent escalation. The working paper states, “focus is required on crisis prevention mechanisms, including communication tools and protocols that can allow States to clarify the intent of other parties and enact preventive measures to avoid an incident or its escalation into a crisis.” Among P5 members—and in particular between the U.S. and China—there is asymmetry in experience with, interest in, and culture around such concepts.

This event will encourage such focus by facilitating discussions between US and Chinese experts on crisis communication and crisis prevention mechanisms. The discussions will explore the political, practical, technical, and bureaucratic challenges to such approaches.