Nuclear risks and risk reduction

On January 28, 2025, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists set the Doomsday Clock to 89 Seconds to Midnight, indicating increasing risks of global catastrophe from climate change, a possible nuclear war, the potential misuse of biological science and a variety of emerging technologies.

In this side event, we will discuss a range or possible measures to reduce the risks of nuclear weapons being used by miscalculation, accident or crisis escalation. Such measures include de-alerting, adoption and implementation of credible no-first-use policies, confidence-building measures including military-to-military communications, and lowering the salience of nuclear deterrence through enhanced common security.

MODERATOR:  Alyn Ware. Global Coordinator, Parliamentarians for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament (PNND)

SPEAKERS:

• John Hallam. Director, People for Nuclear Disarmament. Steering Committee Member, NoFirstUse Global. Co-convenor, Abolition 2000 Nuclear Risk Reduction Working Group.
• Samantha Neakrase. Senior Director of global nuclear policy, Nuclear Threat Initiative. 
• Camilla Braito and Ayleen Roy. Core team members, Youth Fusion (by video presentation)
• Aaron Tovish. Steering Committee member, NoFirstUse Global (by video presentation) See also Aaron’s written presentation First-Use Policies: Dated, Dangerous and Debunked.

A side event of the 2025 Non-Proliferation Treaty Prep-Com
Thursday May 1, 2025. 13:00-15:00
Conference Room A, United Nations