At the 2026 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, UNIDIR will convene a dynamic series of side events addressing today’s most pressing nuclear policy challenges. Hosted in partnership with the European Union, this event examines the evolving drivers of nuclear energy development in the Middle East and the region’s nuclear proliferation landscape in the context of the latest security dynamics and technological advancements.
Interest in nuclear energy across the Middle East and North Africa region is gaining renewed momentum amid a global push to expand nuclear energy in the coming decades to achieve energy security, supply assurance and economic growth. The event will present UNIDIR’s latest research paper on the drivers of nuclear energy expansion and findings. It will also explore how these may affect the regional non-proliferation outlook, ongoing discussions on the establishment of a Weapons of Mass Destruction- Free Zone in the Middle East, and models of risk mitigation and peaceful cooperation.
Agenda
Opening remarks
- Amb. Stephan Klement, EU Special Envoy for Non-Proliferation and Disarmament
Panelists
- Mr. Nuno Luzio, Deputy Director, International Atomic Energy Agency Liaison Office in New York, Director General’s Office
- Dr. Zia Mian, Co-Director of the Program on Science and Global Security, Princeton University
- Mr. Almuntaser Albalawi, Researcher, Middle East WMD-Free Zone Project, UNIDIR
Moderated by Dr. Chen Zak Kane, Head of UNIDIR Middle East WMD-Free Zone Project
When and where
Monday, 27 April 2026 | 13:15-14:30, EDT | Conference Room 1, UN Headquarters, New York
Check your local time here.
Participants
The dialogue is primarily intended for Member States representatives working on nuclear disarmament, arms control and emerging technologies. It also welcomes members of the broader multi-stakeholder community, including representatives from industry, academia, civil society and intergovernmental organizations.
RSVP
Delegates attending the conference at the UN Headquarters are invited to attend in person and do not need to register. Members of the broader multi-stakeholder community, including representatives from industry, academia, civil society and intergovernmental organizations are invited to attend virtually by registering here.
Further information
For questions, please contact mewmdfz-unidir@un.org.