Defending What Matters

Today we’re at the Palais des Nations in Geneva again or a conversation with Austrian diplomat Alexander Kmentt, Austria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva. We talk about political will, survivor stories, human security and the growing challenges facing international humanitarian law. Alex makes a compelling argument that landmines are not an impossible problem to solve. We know what needs to be done. The question is whether governments have the political courage to do it. It’s also a conversation about diplomacy, relationships, the rule of law and hope and why, when humanitarian norms are being challenged, giving up is simply not an option. Alexander Kmentt is an Austrian career diplomat and a leading international voice on disarmament, arms control and the humanitarian consequences of weapons. He currently serves as Austria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Specialised Agencies in Geneva. Kmentt was one of the architects of the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons initiative and the Treaty on the Prohibition of nuclear weapons (TPNW). He organised the 2014 Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of nuclear weapons and developed what became the Humanitarian Pledge, ultimately supported by 135 states and an important catalyst for the TPNW. In 2022, he served as President of the treaty’s inaugural Meeting of States Parties. He was named Arms Control Person of the Year by the Arms Control Association in 2015. His senior diplomatic roles have included Director for Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation at the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Austria’s Permanent Representative to the EU’s Political and Security Committee. Kmentt is also the author of The Treaty Prohibiting Nuclear Weapons: How It Was Achieved and Why It Matters. His work emphasizes human security, international law and the power of diplomacy to create meaningful change. David Peck is a writer, speaker, and award-winning podcaster who works at the intersection of storytelling, social change, and meaningful dialogue. As the host of Face2Face and former host of Toronto Threads on 640 AM, he has published over 800 in-depth interviews with some of the world’s most compelling thinkers, artists and storytellers, including Viggo Mortensen, Sarah Polley, Raoul Peck, Werner Herzog, Chris Hadfield, David Cronenberg, Jason Issacs, Gillian Anderson and Wade Davis. With a background in philosophy and international development, David brings a thoughtful, globally aware perspective to every conversation. He’s a published author and experienced keynote speaker, known for creating spaces where complexity is welcomed and ideas come alive. Whether moderating panels, hosting live events, or speaking on issues ranging from ethics to media, David’s work is grounded in a deep curiosity about people. At heart, he simply loves good conversation and believes it’s one of the best ways we grow, connect, and make sense of the world. For more information about David Peck’s podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here. F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.