2021 EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Conference to convene

The 10th annual EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Conference will begin today in Brussels.

The conference is hosted by the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium, a network of independent think tanks advocating against the spread of weapons of mass destruction based on the threat such weapons pose to nations within and outside of the EU.

The meeting comes amidst deteriorating relations between the West and Russia, leading to increased fears over the risks posed by geopolitical flash points like Ukraine. Ukraine is not a NATO member-state but its more Western alignment—coupled with Russia’s ongoing meddling in Ukraine’s breakaway regions—means a war would see the threat of weapons of mass destruction on the EU’s doorstep.

Expect today’s meeting to increase governmental dialogue over the threat geopolitical flash points pose to non-proliferation, especially in continental Europe, as countries like Russia are unlikely to disarm while tensions remain high. While new disarmament treaties are unlikely to emerge from the meeting, expect the Consortium to push for new non-proliferation policies, including updates to the Non-Proliferation Treaty as it passes its 52^nd anniversary. Expect increased debate from EU legislators in 2022 on the topic, given the decline of new arsenal numbers is slowing.

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