Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones in a Changing Security…

• Opening remarks at the senior level
• Short interventions by partner organizations
• A focused interactive discussion

Key Issues for Discussion:

• The evolving role of Nuclear-weapon-free zones (NWFZs) in a changing security environment
• Lessons learned from existing zones, including the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (CANWFZ)
• Strengthening implementation, institutional capacity, and coordination across zones
• Engagement with nuclear-weapon States, including on security assurances
• The contribution of NWFZs to nuclear risk reduction, transparency, and confidence-building
• Enhancing cooperation between States, international organizations, and research institutions, including through improved information-sharing platforms and analytical tools

Speakers:

• H.E. Mr. Yerzhan Ashikbayev, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
• Chris King, Chief, Weapons of Mass Destruction Branch, UN Office for Disarmament Affairs
• Ms. Maria Cecilia Barcelos Cavalcante Vieira, Head of the Disarmament and Sensitive Technologies Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, and Chair of the Group of Governmental Experts to prepare a comprehensive study on nuclear-weapon-free zones
• Dr. Robin Geiss, Director, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)
• Mr. Mark Melamed, Deputy Vice President, Global Nuclear Policy Program, Nuclear Threat Initiative

The discussion will draw on ongoing analytical work, recent cross-regional consultations on NWFZs, and practical tools, including digital platforms that support inter-zonal coordination, knowledge-sharing, and comparative analysis.