On November 12-13 the Edward M Kennedy Institute attended the13th EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Conference, organised on behalf of the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium. An annual gathering bringing together global experts to discuss the current state and future of non-proliferation and disarmament against a backdrop of evolving geopolitical tensions and emerging security challenges.
Plenary sessions and panel discussions centered on nuclear risk reduction amid escalating threat and re-armament and sustaining global rejection against the use of chemical weapons. Discussions also considered the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on arms control as well as the outcomes and objectives for the NPT review conferences. Speakers included representatives from leading organizations such as the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), NATO - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Parallel sessions explored key regional and technological challenges, including the non-proliferation and disarmament efforts in the Asia-Pacific, the escalating risk of an arms race in outer space, and the evolving threats of biological and chemical weapons in a time of rapid technological progress. Additionally, the Conference hosted a Next Generation Workshop, where students and young professionals shared their insights and proposals for tackling contemporary security threats with innovative and inclusive approaches.