As part of UNIDIR’s Science and Technology Watchtower project, and in collaboration with the European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), UNIDIR is organizing a roundtable discussion to introduce the project to EU-based policymaking and think tank communities. The event will explore two of its key themes: science and technology monitoring and technological convergence.
Science and technology developments are key enablers of social and economic progress, but they are outpacing the capacity of normative and governance frameworks to manage the risks, as noted in the 2024 Report of the Secretary-General on current developments in science and technology and their impact on international peace and disarmament efforts. To keep abreast of innovation, it is of utmost importance to systematically identify relevant science and technology developments and analyze their potential positive and negative impacts on disarmament and international security in a timely manner.
In addition, technological fields are increasingly converging, yet they are often still treated in isolation from one another. As this convergence accelerates, technologies become more closely interconnected and entangled. In this context, our ability to mitigate technological risks and develop effective governance frameworks depends not only on addressing individual technologies, but also on our capacity to identify, understand and adapt to convergence between them.
Agenda
13:00 – 13:35 – Light lunch
13:35 – 13:40 – Opening remarks
- Dr Andrea Calderaro, Director EU Cyber Direct, EUISS
13:40 – 13:50 – UNIDIR’s Science and Technology Watchtower project overview
- Federico Mantellassi, Researcher, Security and Technology Programme, UNIDIR
13:50 – 15:20 – Session 1 – Science and technology monitoring in the context of disarmament
- Dr Una Jakob, Senior Researcher at PRIF in the Research Department International Security and head of the Research Group Biological and Chemical Disarmament and Security, Co-chair, Science and Technology Watchtower CWB Expert network
- Dr Hassan Elbhatimy, Senior Lecturer, King’s College London, Co-chair Science and Technology Watchtower Nuclear Weapons Expert Network
- Dr Antonio Calcara, Professor, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Head, Geopolitics and Technology Programme, Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy
Moderated by Federico Mantellassi, Researcher, Security and Technology Programme, UNIDIR
15:20 – 15:40 Coffee break
15:40 – 17:10 – Session 2 – Technological convergence: Cross-domain challenges for international security, disarmament, arms control, and non-proliferation
- Dr Cindy Vestergaard, Project Lead for the Converging Technologies and Global Security Programme, Stimson Center
- Kolja Brockmann, Senior Researcher, Dual-Use and Arms Trade Control Programme, SIPRI
Moderated by Dr Andrea Calderaro, Director EU Cyber Direct, EUISS
17:10 – 17:15 Closing remarks
When and where
Monday, 23 March 2026 | 13:00-17:15 CET | EUISS Brussels Liaison Office, Justus Lipsius Building, EUISS Meeting Room (00-FG-10), Rue de la Loi 175, Brussels and online.
Check your local time here.
RSVP
Registration is mandatory. To attend, please register here by Thursday, 19 March.
Please note that due to room capacity limitations, in person registration does not guarantee attendance. UNIDIR will confirm in person attendance via email a few days before the event.
Further information
For any questions, please contact sectec-unidir@un.org.
Funded by
In partnership with
