ISYP members played an active role in the 11th NPT Review Conference in New York, contributing to side events, chairing sessions, and publishing policy research.

On 28 April, Sanaa Alvira and Haneen Khalid spoke at a side event organised by Mayors for Peace, where they highlighted ISYP’s work in advancing cross-national Track II dialogue on the nexus of nuclear risks, emerging technologies, and climate change, and shared perspectives on the role of youth in contributing to a world free of nuclear weapons.

On 29 April, Sanaa Alvira contributed to a side event organised by the Nagasaki Youth Delegation on preventing the erosion of the NPT regime, where she spoke about the growing relevance of the AI-nuclear nexus. She noted increasing recognition among States Parties of both the risks and benefits of AI, and its impact on all three pillars of the NPT. She highlighted the role of the NPT not just as a treaty but also a forum for collectively examining these impacts and for shaping norms on the responsible application of AI in the nuclear field.

On 30 April,  Kseniia Pirnavskaia and Joel Christoph moderated the side event “Future-Proofing the NPT: A Youth-led Intergenerational Dialogue on Nuclear Weapons and Emerging Technologies,” co-organised by Youth4Disarmament Forum alumni in collaboration with UNODA and the Government of the Republic of Korea. The event brought together civil society experts and Member State speakers from Finland and Mexico to explore how the NPT can remain relevant and credible in light of developments in artificial intelligence, cyber and space capabilities, and other dual-use technologies.

Watch the recording: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k14/k14p99kdot 

Credit: UNODA

On 30 April, Kseniia Pirnavskaia spoke at RECNA’s side event, “From the International Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime to the Global Zero Regime,” where she presented findings from the co-authored paper with ONN Director Andreas Persbo, “What Should the International Non-Proliferation Regime Look Like Today and Over the Next 10 to 20 Years?”.

Credit: ONN

On 4 May, Kseniia Pirnavskaia spoke at a side event hosted by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and the Permanent Mission of Malta to the United Nations, which brought together diplomats and young nuclear experts to discuss the role of youth in shaping the future of nuclear diplomacy. 

Watch the recording: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k17/k1733lpl6d

Credit: UNIDIR

On 14 May, Nicolas Ayala Arboleda chaired a Pugwash side event titled “Arms Control Initiatives to Advance Article VI Obligations,” held as part of a new Pugwash project examining a workable agenda for arms control and the fulfilment of Article VI obligations over the next NPT review cycle.

Credit: Pugwash Conferences

In conjunction with the NPT Review Conference, Joel Christoph, Haneen Khalid and Sanaa Alvira contributed policy briefs to the inaugural volume of the Pugwash-Carnegie Policy Briefs on Science and World Affairs, titled “International Perspectives and Policy Priorities for the 11th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty 2026.” The volume brings together twelve expert analyses from members of the Pugwash Council and ISYP on technical issues and regional perspectives relevant to the Review Conference. The volume’s design and layout were developed by Sathchidha Pachiappan.

The contributions by ISYP members include:

• Joel Christoph, Three Incentive-Compatible Mechanisms for the Next NPT Review Cycle
• Haneen Khalid, Scientific Influence and Emerging Nuclear Risk: Transparency and Agency in the NPT
• Sanaa Alvira, Why the promise of Pillar 3 is on shaky ground this NPT Review Conference