ANNEX
Facilitating a successful outcome of the 2026 Review Conference of Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
Background
The current challenges to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons are both well-known and serious. The current geostrategic environment has seen levels of risk rise, including the risk of nuclear weapons use and conflict. There are emerging signs of a possible new nuclear arms race. Geostrategic conditions are fueling nuclear proliferation drivers, and regional crises with nuclear implications could draw in nuclear-armed states with potentially catastrophic consequences.
However, the NPT’s value remains widely recognized and respected and there exists a shared awareness of the value of strengthening the Treaty and its review process. Success at the 2026 NPT Review Conference is realistic and achievable, but requires broad consultations and appreciation of the priorities of as wide a range of States Parties as possible, and a diverse range of stakeholders within States Parties, in particular those who may not have previously engaged deeply on the NPT.
Throughout its five-decade history, the NPT has proven itself robust and adaptable. It remains the most widely adhered-to multilateral disarmament agreement, for four key reasons:
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Its legally binding nuclear disarmament obligations, including on the five nuclear-weapon States;
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Its verifiable non-proliferation safeguards, overseen by the International Atomic Energy Agency;
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Its obligation to facilitate the peaceful benefits of nuclear science and technology, including the pursuit of sustainable development; and
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Its near universal membership, 191 States have joined the treaty, meaning its provisions are binding on the vast majority of the international community.
Since the NPT’s indefinite extension in 1995, successive five-yearly Review Conferences have sought ways to strengthen implementation of the Treaty, including through practical steps and an action plan to ultimately achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. In 1995, 2000 and 2010, NPT Review Conferences adopted sets of commitments and obligations that strengthened the Treaty’s implementation across all three of its ‘pillars’ – disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses – and reinforced the grand bargain at its core.
However, the NPT Review Conferences in 2015 and 2022 failed to agree on a substantive outcome document. As a consequence, the NPT is at a crossroads.
Success at the 2026 Review Conference will reinforce the role of the Treaty as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, the essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament in accordance with its Article VI, and an important element in the development of nuclear energy applications for peaceful purposes. It will be critical in underscoring and reinforcing its enduring value; its role as the de facto multilateral negotiating body on all issues related to nuclear weapons; and its tangible security benefits.
A successful Review Conference will require a balanced approach to all three of the Treaty’s pillars. It will also require commencing preparations well in advance of the Conference and will benefit from a President with an understanding of the nuances of all States parties’ positions and who has earned their trust. Regular dialogue between States parties and the President-designate and his/her bureau, on how to overcome obstacles to success in 2026 is essential and was central to the drafting of the final outcome document in 2022 that was agreed by all States but one, notwithstanding a challenging international environment.
This can best be achieved through regional and on-the-ground engagement at the highest possible levels, as well as with experts in Geneva, New York and Vienna. Decision-makers in capitals, and across the range of government entities, have a clear interest in maintaining a strong NPT – whether they are parliamentarians, nuclear regulators or development agencies and ministries of defence. The critical step lies in understanding the positions of, and building support amongst, these diverse stakeholders.
Through the Tenth NPT Review Cycle, in the lead up to the 2022 Review Conference, the President-designate – thanks to the European Union’s generous support – undertook a series of regional consultations in Asia-Pacific, Africa and Latin America. These consultations were roundly welcomed by States of those regions as providing access to the Preparatory Committee chairs for capital-based experts, an opportunity for dialogue for States without the resources to maintain large delegations in New York, Geneva or Vienna, and important occasions for discussing key regional priorities. These consultations, in establishing a two-way conversation between the President-designate and regional governments, laid the ground for the support of all States parties except one for the draft outcome document in 2022.
Relatedly, a meaningful and successful outcome at the 2026 Review Conference will also require diverse and inclusive approaches, including on participation of delegations from as many States Parties as possible, in particular those from capitals, who previously may not have been able to participate. Starting from the premise that nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament negotiations are more successful and more durable when conversations allow for a diversity of States’ opinions and perspectives, the project proposes a sponsorship programme.
This net benefit for the Review Conference may be achieved through the sponsorship of travel, from their capitals, of delegates who would not otherwise be able to attend the Conference. In so doing, it would maintain the linkage between the on-the-ground outreach of the regional consultations through to the Review Conference floor in New York, and thereby the potential for more innovative and effective approaches to existing challenges.
1. Project objective and goals
The objective of the project is to help facilitate a successful 2026 Review Conference that strengthens the implementation of the NPT across all three of its pillars. The project seeks to achieve that goal through a series of consultations in regional capitals that will a) help raise awareness among capital-based stakeholders about key issues facing the Treaty and b) ensure the leadership of the 2026 Review Conference develops a granular understanding of the priorities and concerns of all States Parties. Such an approach would build on the largely successful regional approach undertaken during the last review cycle, albeit with a broader array of stakeholders.
Main goals:
1.
To gain insight and understanding about concerns and priorities for the 2026 NPT review cycle, across a diverse range of stakeholders within all States Parties, including through ensuring inclusivity and diversity of participation at the Review Conference.
2.
To raise awareness about obstacles, but also potential areas for convergence based on the many benefits the NPT provides, including through the incorporation of a broader and more diverse array of voices, such as technical experts from regulatory agencies and scientific faculties, as well as decision-makers such as parliamentarians, with due consideration being given to ensuring gender balance of both experts and participants.
3.
To build trust and confidence between States and the President-designate in order to develop the strong relationships required for the Review Conference that will facilitate a successful outcome.
4.
To encourage flexibility and compromise from States in approaching the Review Conference, and to seek ideas for where to both achieve common ground and overcome divisions.
5.
To develop inputs for a strategy to produce a successful outcome at the 2026 Review Conference, including consideration of innovative ideas for what a possible outcome could look like that ensures the strengthened implementation of the Treaty.
2. Activities
2.1. Regional consultations
2.1.1. Aim
The aim of each regional meeting is to enhance understanding of the current state of play, discuss options for cooperative engagement, generate solutions and build relationships to facilitate a successful conclusion to the 2026 NPT Review Conference.
2.1.2. Topics
Regional meetings in the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean, will cover all three of the NPT pillars and address the major issues affecting the NPT and its States parties, based on deliberations at the NPT Preparatory Committee sessions, and viewed through the lens of regional priorities and concerns. Issues will include but are not limited to: Implementation of commitments made in previous review cycles; bridging divides over how to achieve and maintain a world free of nuclear weapons; strengthening the non-proliferation regime; access to the benefits of peaceful uses of nuclear technology, including for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals; and strengthening the NPT review process.
The regional meeting of NPT States Parties in the Middle East would cover all three of the NPT pillars. Additionally, it would address the implementation of the 1995 NPT resolution on the creation of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction. Recent events, such as recent developments in the region or the advent of the General Assembly-mandated Conference on the establishment of a Middle East Zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, and the challenges this issue could pose to a successful outcome in 2026, justify such an approach.
2.1.3. Format
The regional meetings will rely principally on interactive consultations. At each regional meeting, the President-designate will be given the opportunity to present the state of play on the review cycle. A series of questions will then be posed to States, with the aim of stimulating an interactive question-and-answer style engagement.
The meetings will also utilize panels of regional experts to generate discussion and ideas.
The same format would be used for additional meetings with non-governmental stakeholders.
Participation would be aimed at both expert and decision maker level.
2.1.4. Location
The regional meetings are designed to support interaction with governments from specific regions in preparing for the 2026 Review Conference. The following four regional meetings are suggested:
Countries from regions/sub-regions:
Suggested venue:
Africa (2025)
Addis Ababa
Latin America/Caribbean (2026)
Mexico City
Asia-Pacific (2025)
Bangkok
Middle East (2026)
Amman
2.1.5. Timing
The four regional meetings will be held in a ten-month period between June 2025 and March 2026. The exact timing and sequencing (i.e. the order of the regions covered) of the regional meetings will be determined by the implementing agency, in consultation with the President-designate of the Review Conference and the EU, taking into account the UN disarmament calendar. Each regional meeting will run for up to two days.
2.1.6. Responsibilities of the implementing agency
Substantive preparation:
In consultation with the President-designate of the 2026 NPT Review Conference, the implementing agency will develop the substance of the regional meetings, and the agenda and selection of speakers / experts.
Logistics and meeting support:
The implementing agency, together with host regional States, will implement the logistical arrangements (booking venues, organising catering, audio-visual equipment, travel arrangements for participants and experts, etc.) for the regional meetings.
2.2. Sponsorship
2.2.1. Aim
To support and ensure participation, through sponsorship of one person per delegation, from as many States Parties as possible, and a minimum of three, in the 2026 NPT Review Conference, including through ensuring the participation of delegates from capitals who had traditionally not been in a position to do so.
2.2.2. Approach / Criteria
Sponsored delegates would be selected from Least Developed Countries (LDC), Official Development assistance (ODA) recipient countries (based on Development Assistance Committee-List of ODA countries) or Small Island Developing States. Additional criteria for the sponsorship programme will be equitable regional representation and gender equity.
2.2.3. Responsibilities of the implementing agency
The implementing agency will provide the necessary arrangements for travel and daily subsistence allowance for selected delegates to attend.
2.3. Two side events
2.3.1. Aim
One side event is envisioned to take place during the First Committee (UNGA80), and one will take place in the margins of the 2026 Review Conference itself.
2.3.2. Topics
It is intended that the first side event, during the First Committee of UNGA80 will serve to provide an introduction and status review of the two regional consultations that will have taken place at that stage. This would include a briefing by the President-designate on the work undertaken to that point, including any preliminary results. The second side event, taking place during the Review Conference itself, would serve to share final results and conclusions. In order to increase the impact of the findings, this side event should take place early in the Review Conference, ideally during its first week.
2.3.3. Format
The President-designate will brief States parties on developments and findings, outlining challenges and opportunities and suggesting possible approaches. The event would entail interactive Q&A sessions between the President-designate and attendees, intended to include delegates from States Parties as well as civil society.
2.3.4. Location
UN Headquarters (NY)
2.3.5. Responsibilities of the implementing agency
Substantive preparation:
In consultation with the President-designate, the implementing agency will develop the substance of the side events, as well as the agenda and selection of speakers / experts.
Logistics and conference services:
The implementing agency will implement the logistical arrangements (booking venues, organising catering, audio-visual equipment).
3. EU visibility
The implementing agency shall take all appropriate measures to publicise that this project has been funded by the European Union. The Union’s support will be highlighted in public and closed presentations and briefings of the President-designate. The Union’s support will also be acknowledged in invitations and other written materials that are shared with the participants in the various activities. The implementing agency will ensure that the Union will be represented in all events that are supported within this project.
4. Implementing agency
The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (Weapons of Mass Destruction Branch).
5. Staffing – Project staff: Consultant at B/C level and part-time administrative support at G-5 level
In view of the limited staff capacity within UNODA’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Branch, it is envisioned that the support of a consultant at the B/C level (equivalent to a P3 staff member) and part-time at the G-5 level would be required to oversee the substantive and administrative/organizational aspects of the project. These will include developing the agendas and needed materials of the regional meetings, identifying and later collating the views of participants, preparing summaries of the meetings and providing inputs to the final report. Furthermore, the support staff will be responsible of the logistical arrangements, including venue booking and travel arrangements for participants and experts.
The staff members in question would report to the Chief of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Branch.
