Recent years have seen rapid advances in quantum technologies across computing, communications and sensing. While these technologies are at different stages of maturity, they are increasingly moving beyond laboratory settings towards real-world applications. To help the diplomatic and policy communities navigate this evolving landscape, UNIDIR will convene a series of regional briefings on quantum technologies and their relevance to international security.
Quantum developments could present both opportunities and risks for disarmament and international security. While future quantum computers could pose significant cybersecurity risks to critical digital systems, quantum communications could offer new ways to protect them.
Beyond cybersecurity, quantum computing could provide powerful tools for modelling molecular interactions, potentially posing new challenges for chemical and biological risk reduction. Quantum sensing, meanwhile, may strengthen chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear detection capabilities, but could also affect strategic stability by improving the ability to detect and track stealth military assets. Finally, the growing convergence between quantum technologies and AI could enable new military capabilities and amplify existing concerns surrounding military AI.
Drawing on UNIDIR’s past and ongoing research, this series of online briefings, organized by the Security and Technology Programme, will provide an accessible introduction to three core quantum fields: quantum computing, quantum communications and quantum sensing. The briefings will examine their underlying principles, current state of development, future trajectories and potential implications for disarmament and international security.
Agenda
Further details will be added in due course.
When and where
Wednesday, 2 and Thursday 3, December 2026 | Online
Times and days vary by regional group. Please see below to identify yours:
- Asia-Pacific States: 2 December 2026, 10:00 – 11:00 CET
- African States: 2 December 2026, 14:00 – 15:00 CET
- Latin America and the Caribbean: 2 December 2026, 16:00 – 17:00 CET
- Eastern Europe: 3 December 2026, 10:00 – 11:00 CET
- Western European and others: 3 December 2026, 15:00 – 16:00 CET
Check your local time here.
Participants
The event is invitation-only. We welcome representatives of diplomatic missions and government officials from relevant ministries whose work focuses on issues pertaining to emerging technologies, disarmament and international security.
RSVP
For online participation, please register here by Tuesday, 1 December 2026.
The links to each regional group’s event will be shared with registered participants one day before the briefing.
Further information
For any questions, please contact Wenting He at wenting.he@un.org.