The following are some of the key arms control dates and developments to watch in the coming week. 
For more news and analysis on these and other weapons-related security issues, consider subscribing to ACA's monthly journal Arms Control Today, which is available in print/digital and digital-only editions.
- written and compiled by Tim Farnsworth
April 23-26: Obama Visits Tokyo and Seoul -- North Korea on the Agenda
President Obama is expected to spend three days in Japan before visiting South Korea as part of his swing through Asia this month. One topic on the agenda: how to restart the Six-Party Talks (China, Japan, North Korea, Russia, South Korea, and the United States) over North Korea's on going nuclear and missile programs.
The six-party talks have been stalled since 2009, when North Korea launched the three-stage Unha-2 rocket and conducted its second nuclear test explosion. North Korea could be ready to conduct its fourth nuclear test in the near future despite recent strong warning not to do so from Beijing.
Last week, Undersecretary of State Gottemoeller spoke about the value of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in Hiroshima and the P5 states issued a joint statement reaffirming their support for the CTBT and the prevention of further nuclear testing by any state at a meeting in Beijing.
For more information see:
- "UN Report: Enforce N. Korea Sanctions," by Kelsey Davenport, Arms Control Today, April 2014;
- "Chronology of U.S.-North Korean Nuclear and Missile Diplomacy," Arms Control Association Fact Sheet.
April 24 Event: Faith Ldrs. Conf. on the Humanitarian Impact of N- Weapons
Soka Gakkai International, along with 10 other co-sponsoring organizations, including the Arms Control Association, are holding an event on Thursday, April 24 from 9:30am to 4:00pm in Washington, D.C. at the U.S. Institute for Peace. Click here to RSVP.
The gathering brings together faith, science, diplomatic and policy leaders to evaluate the "humanitarian effects" of nuclear weapons, and pathways to accelerate progress on nuclear disarmament. Speakers include: Anita Friedt, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear and Strategic Policy, U.S. State Department, and Daryl G. Kimball, Executive Director, Arms Control Association.
For more information on the recent humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons conference, see: "Mexico Hosts Meeting on Nuclear Effects," in the March issue of Arms Control Today and the transcript from our March 31 event, "The NPT and the Humanitarian Consequences of N-Weapons."
PREVIEW: April 28: Russian-German-U.S. Commission to Release Report
The 21-member U.S.-Russian-German Deep Cuts Commission has formulated proposals to achieve further arms control and nuclear risk reduction to enhance national, Euro-Atlantic and international security. The first report, "Preparing for Deep Cuts: Options for Enhancing Euro-Atlantic and International Security," will be released during a public event at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. on April 28. Click here to RSVP.
Speakers include: Steven Pifer, Director, Arms Control and Nonproliferation Initiative, Brookings Institution; Greg Thielmann, Senior Fellow, Arms Control Association; Götz Neuneck, Deputy Director, Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy, IFSH; Eugene Miasnikov, Director, Center for Arms Control, Energy and Environmental Studies in Moscow.