Technological innovation is reshaping the landscape of global nuclear risk. Rapid advances across a number of fields, including artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, as well as cyber and outer space capabilities, are increasingly converging with nuclear weapons and related systems, creating new and complex escalation pathways.
At the same time, there continues to emerge a greater understanding of the widespread and devastating consequences of nuclear weapons use, linked to its humanitarian, environmental, health-related and socioeconomic effects.
Both sides of the risk equation, probabilities and consequences, remain critical concerns, particularly in light of multilateral discussions ahead of the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (2026 NPT RevCon) and the UN panel on the effects of nuclear war.
This hybrid event, hosted by UNIDIR in collaboration with the Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition (RECNA) and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), seeks to:
- Examine the fusion of emerging technologies and nuclear and non-nuclear domains, as well as the resulting systemic risks;
- Consider the long-term consequences of nuclear weapons use, especially under conditions of modern technological complexity;
- Bridge conversations between experts and officials, including across emerging technologies, nuclear weapons policy, and humanitarian impacts;
- Derive priorities for integrated and comprehensive risk reduction strategies, with a view to reinvigorating arms control and disarmament efforts.
Agenda
Day 1
10:15-10:50 – Registration
10:50-11:00 – Opening remarks
11:00-12:30 – Session 1: The risk nexus of emerging technologies
This session explores how developments in artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities, and outer space intersect with nuclear weapons and related systems. It identifies potential pathways through which their interactions can increase risk of escalation, including nuclear use.
12:30-13:30 – Lunch
13:30-15:00 – Session 2: The adaptability of nuclear governance
This session considers ways in which elements of the global nuclear order have addressed technological challenges in the past, and their capacity to reduce current and future risks. It will also reflect on technological futures, including the exponential advancement of artificial intelligence. Furthermore, the session will examine how accelerating climate change intensifies risks by fuelling tensions, undermining governance and compounding systemic threats across security, environmental and technological domains. Illustrative cases – such as the growing geopolitical competition in the Arctic region – highlight how environmental transformation can reshape geopolitical and nuclear dynamics, even in regions traditionally viewed as global commons.
15:00-15:30 – Coffee break
15:30-17:00 – Session 3: Expanding the conversation
This session explores evolving trends in the nuclear landscape, highlighting the growing interest in nuclear energy and the broader applications of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. It also examines approaches to operationalizing a multi-stakeholder governance framework in response to this changing environment.
Day 2
8:15-8:55 – Coffee and croissants
8:55-9:00 – Opening remarks
9:00-10:30 – Session 4: The effects of nuclear war in the 21st century
Against the backdrop of the ongoing UN panel on the effects of nuclear war, this session examines new research pertaining to the humanitarian, environmental, health and socioeconomic consequences of nuclear weapons use. It also considers how scientific and policy conversations can be more effectively bridged.
10:30-11:00 – Coffee break
11:00-12:30 – Session 5: Lessons learned across regimes
This panel considers ways in which other multilateral regimes have considered governance issues linked to technological development. This includes exploration of the opportunities and risks generated by the advance and diffusion of biotechnology in the context of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, as well as the role of the ChemTech Centre and the Scientific Advisory Board in the context of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
12:30-13:30 – Lunch
13:30-15:00 – Session 6: Addressing risk at the intersections
The final session seeks to synthesize insights from previous panels. Building on discussions of climate change, global trends towards militarization and emerging technologies, it explores broad, cross-cutting strategies for managing compound risks and considers how these can be operationalized in upcoming multilateral nuclear processes, including the 2026 NPT RevCon, the 4th Meeting of States Parties of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and other key forums.
15:00 – Closing remarks
When and where
Thursday, 22 January and Friday, 23 January | Maison de la Paix, Auditorium A2, and online.
Lunch, coffee and croissants will be provided by the organizer.
RSVP
In-person and virtual attendees are invited to register in advance.
Participants
The event is open to State representatives and experts working on or interested in issues pertaining to nuclear weapons and converging technologies.
Further information
For any questions, please contact Dr Jaroslav Krasny at krasnyj@nagasaki-u.ac.jp.
In partnership with
