2026 NPT Review Committee
What is The NPT Review Conference?
The 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) was held from 27 April to 22 May 2026 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Convening every five years, the Review Conference serves as the principal forum for States Parties to assess the implementation of the Treaty and discuss the future of the global nuclear order.
The Review Conference examined the implementation of the NPT's three pillars: nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. States Parties reviewed progress made since the 2022 Review Conference, debated emerging challenges to the treaty regime, and sought to build consensus on steps to strengthen the NPT. Discussions took place against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions, growing concerns over nuclear modernization and proliferation, and continued debate over the pace of disarmament efforts.
The 2026 Review Conference marked the Eleventh NPT Review Conference, bringing together governments, international organizations, civil society groups, and youth representatives from around the world to evaluate the health of the treaty and its role in maintaining international peace and security.
our Delegation’s mission
Our youth delegation worked to ensure that young people were represented in discussions on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Drawing on a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, we brought youth perspectives, priorities, and ideas into conversations with policymakers and diplomats.
We advocated for a future that is free of nuclear weapons.
We would like to acknowledge our individual contributors and the Telemachus Foundation to Prevent War and Empower the Poor for supporting our work.
International Youth Orientation
Prior to the Review Conference, we organized an international youth orientation. At this meeting, we explored the evolution of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, as well as the latest developments in the geopolitical landscape that could hamper discussions at the conference. We also provided an overview of how young people should engage with diplomats and policymakers at the conference.
NAPF - RTT Statements
Youth delegates Rooj Ali of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and Reverse The Trend, and Jahrik Browner of the PEAC Institute co-deliver a statement on behalf of twenty-five organizations at the 2026 NPT Review Conference.
Ivana Hughes, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, delivers remarks at the 2026 NPT Review Conference, advocating for stronger international cooperation in pursuit of a world free of nuclear weapons.
Side Events
Revitalizing Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Education
On April 29, 2026, we organized the side event “Revitalizing Nuclear Disarmament and Nonproliferation Education” during the NPT Review Conference. The event brought together government representatives, educators, youth leaders, and civil society organizations to discuss how education can empower younger generations to engage in nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation efforts.
Speakers highlighted innovative educational initiatives from around the world, including Mexico’s integration of disarmament education into primary school curricula and youth-led peace programs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Participants emphasized the importance of connecting nuclear issues to broader concerns such as climate change, artificial intelligence, and inequality, while ensuring educational opportunities are accessible to all young people. The discussion underscored the critical role of youth engagement and education in building a more informed and active generation of disarmament advocates.
Youth Dialogue: Peace and Nuclear Disarmament
On April 29, 2026, in collaboration with Mayors for Peace, the International Relations Future and United Nations (IRFUN) Student Committee at NYU, we co-sponsored a timely discussion on youth dialogue: peace and nuclear disarmament. This event provided an opportunity for NYU students, members of our youth delegation, and representatives of Mayors for Peace Youth Delegation to engage with one another and share about their nuclear abolition initiatives.
Choose Hope: Addressing Deterrence Through the Lens of the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons
On April 30, 2026, discussions at the NPT Review Conference turned to the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons and the need to challenge the doctrine of nuclear deterrence. The side event “Choose Hope: Addressing Deterrence through the Lens of the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons,” organized by the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Soka Gakkai International, Philippines and Kiribati, brought together diplomats, civil society leaders, and hibakusha advocates to examine the human costs of nuclear weapons and envision alternative approaches to security.
Speakers emphasized that nuclear weapons pose an existential threat not only to international security but also to humanity’s ability to address other global challenges, including climate change. Representatives from the Philippines and Kiribati called for renewed attention to the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons and greater support for communities affected by nuclear testing, while civil society leaders argued that true security must be rooted in human wellbeing rather than the threat of mass destruction.
A particularly powerful testimony came from Mr. Hideto Matsuura of Nihon Hidankyo, who shared his mother's experience surviving the atomic bombing of Hiroshima while pregnant with him. His account illustrated the immediate devastation of the blast as well as the long-term suffering caused by radiation exposure. The event underscored the importance of centering affected communities in disarmament discussions and reinforced the message that hope, education, and collective action are essential to achieving a world free of nuclear weapons.
Brushstroke for Peace: Art, Memory, and Nuclear Abolition
Marking the thirtieth anniversary of the Treaty of Bangkok, a May 4th side event explored how art, storytelling, and youth engagement can strengthen efforts toward a world free of nuclear weapons. Co-hosted by Thailand, Kiribati, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, and Reverse the Trend, the event featured advocates and representatives of affected communities who reflected on the enduring human legacy of nuclear weapons.
Speakers emphasized the importance of preserving survivor testimony and ensuring that the experiences of hibakusha, downwinders, and nuclear testing victims are not forgotten by future generations. Through discussions of visual art, literature, theater, and social media, participants highlighted the unique ability of creative expression to communicate the human consequences of nuclear weapons and engage audiences beyond traditional diplomatic spaces.
During the event, speakers underscored the vital role of young people in advancing disarmament and non-proliferation efforts. The conversation connected the anniversary of the Treaty of Bangkok to broader nuclear-weapon-free zone initiatives around the world and reaffirmed that progress toward disarmament has often been driven by non-nuclear-weapon states, affected communities, artists, and youth advocates.
Nuclear policy-making across generations: Ensuring inclusive, peaceful processes for a sustainable future for all
We were pleased to participate in UNIDIR and the Permanent Mission of Malta’s special side event. This event focused on how how nuclear policy-making can be made more inclusive and effective delivering on sustainable outcomes.
When policy discussions are shaped by the same voices and perspectives, they risk becoming repetitive and reinforcing recurring conclusions. By broadening participation, introducing new ideas and incorporating gender considerations there is scope for us to contribute to more responsive and fresh thinking into policy-making and diplomatic processes.
With a view of fostering more inclusive perspectives, Malta and UNIDIR brought experts from different generations and regions to explore how diverse experiences and approaches can strengthen nuclear policy‑making and diplomacy including through gender and humanitarian perspectives.
This event offered a platform for diplomatic, expert and youth perspectives with a view of informing ongoing discussions under the NPT and related fora.
The discussion explored the following questions:
• How are youth-led movements shaping nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation?
• What role can youth play in advancing the goals of the NPT?
• How can gender and humanitarian considerations help to rethink nuclear diplomacy?
• How to improve processes, ways of working, institutional cultures to achieve better
results in the nuclear domain?
Art Reception for "Envisioning a World Free From Nuclear Weapons"
On April 29th, during the opening week of the 2026 NPT Review Conference, an exhibition organized by Thailand, Kiribati, and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, also known as the Bangkok Treaty. The exhibition highlighted the role of nuclear-weapon-free zones in advancing regional security and explored how international cooperation can contribute to a world free of nuclear weapons.
The exhibition underscored Southeast Asia's longstanding commitment to remaining a nuclear-weapon-free region and showcased the importance of the Bangkok Treaty as a regional framework for peace and disarmament. Participants reflected on the treaty's legacy over the past three decades and its continued relevance in strengthening global non-proliferation norms.
A central feature of the exhibition was the inclusion of youth perspectives through artwork and multimedia projects created by young people across ASEAN and Timor-Leste as well as the Pacific region. The exhibition also featured the work of Japanese-American artist Kei Ito, whose art explores the enduring human consequences of nuclear weapons through the legacy of his grandfather, a survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bombing. Together, these works encouraged visitors to imagine a future without nuclear weapons and underscored the role of young people as advocates, innovators, and future leaders in the disarmament community.
The exhibition ultimately served as both a commemoration of past achievements and a call for continued action, demonstrating how regional initiatives, public engagement, and youth participation can help sustain momentum toward the shared goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world.
Addressing Verification and Dismantlement of Nuclear Weapons and Victim Assistance: Bridging Policy and Practice
As discussions at the NPT Review Conference increasingly focused on implementation, a May 8 side event examined one of the most important questions facing the disarmament community: how a future world free of nuclear weapons could be verified and sustained. The event explored verification mechanisms, humanitarian consequences, and the practical steps needed to turn disarmament commitments into reality.
Participants highlighted the ongoing impacts of nuclear testing in places such as the Marshall Islands and Kiribati, emphasizing the need for victim assistance, environmental remediation, and greater attention to nuclear justice. Several speakers stressed that disarmament must move beyond political declarations and be supported by concrete verification frameworks.
The event also addressed emerging risks, including the growing intersection of nuclear weapons with artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and space-based technologies. Youth representatives emphasized the importance of intergenerational responsibility, warning that future generations will bear the consequences of today's decisions.
Film Screening of the Postman of Nagasaki and Discussion
The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, its youth initiative, Reverse The Trend and Frontiers of Science hosted a screening of the film “The Postman of Nagasaki,” based on the writing of the 1984 book by Peter Townsend detailing the story of Taniguchi Sumiteru. “The Postman of Nagasaki” tells the story of the impact of the bomb and the legacy of peace left by Peter Townsend, as explored by his daughter, Isabelle Townsend.
Following the screening, we held a panel discussion with filmmaker Isabelle Townsend, Veronique Christory (ICRC), Ivana Nikolić Hughes (NAPF), and Mitchie Takeuchi (A Vow From Hiroshima).
Meetings With Delegations
At the 2026 NPT Review Conference, our Youth Delegation had various opportunities to sit down and meet with various delegations who were present at the Conference.
International Committee of the Red Cross Delegation
Japanese Delegation
Mexican Delegation
Youth Interview #1
Youth Interview #2
Youth Interview #3
Youth Interview #4
Youth Testimonials
Youth Testimonials
Isabella Planas
“Nuclear weapons are often discussed through strategy, deterrence, and security frameworks. Yet throughout the conference, the most powerful moments came from hearing directly from the people and communities who have lived with the consequences of nuclear weapons. Listening to Hibakusha share their testimonies on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was one of the most meaningful parts of the experience. Their stories carried the weight of memory, loss, survival, and responsibility.”
Hadia Choudhary
“Overall, I am very grateful for this experience. Amongst finals season, I had something to look forward to and an entire group of peers that I am still in touch with in one way or another. This field of work is quite literally essential to our existence, and I am just grateful to be a small part of it. I hope that the experiences gained here will help me to continue work in this field, and I am honored to be a part of this cohort.”
Anthony Dyjak
“There were certainly moments throughout the conference that instilled a sense of pessimism, reflective in the ultimate inability to find compromise and adopt a final consensus outcome document, however, looking back at the conference as a whole, a new sense of diplomatic optimism emerged. The dedication that delegates and civil society held for the sole purpose of creating a safer world for all through the disarmament of nuclear weapons radiated through the halls of the UN, felt by everyone involved.”
Nicholas Campos
“I monitored plenary sessions, attended Main Committee discussions, and participated in a wide range of side events focused on nuclear disarmament, humanitarian consequences, nonproliferation, arms control, environmental justice, and international security. Listening directly to diplomats, UN officials, civil society representatives, experts, and affected communities provided a valuable look into how multilateral diplomacy functions in practice during one of the world’s most important nuclear policy forums.”
Rory Kurzenberg
“What inspired me most the past two weeks was not just hearing testimonies from various state parties who wanted complete disarmament, but rather was witnessing first-hand the youth engagement in the disarmament cause. I got to experience the “Envisioning a World Free from Nuclear Weapons” multimodal art exhibition as presented by the conference, which greatly inspired me. As we reach the 81st anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and as we lose the generation of its survivors, it is crucial that the cause for nuclear disarmament is passed down to the youth.
To see such young children demonstrate such a deep understanding of the environmental, political, and health impacts of nuclear weapons reassured me that we are not losing the generation of those who care about this cause, but rather are passing it down through extensive youth education. I am a firm believer in art as a political arsenal, as it allows us to transcend language barriers by conveying beliefs in a universally understandable way. To see this combined with the youth engagement from the exhibition was very special.
I am incredibly grateful for this experience, both for furthering my interest in the cause of nuclear disarmament as well as for providing a unique, first-hand educational experience.”