EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium
Since 2018, the IAI has participated – as the Italian member – in a consortium of European think tanks established by the Council of the EU to develop a three-year programme on non-proliferation and disarmament. The consortium, which includes five other leading European security studies institutes – Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP), Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS), Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (HSFK/PRIF), International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) – aims to promote research and strategic dialogue on international agreements and initiatives dealing with non-proliferation and disarmament. This encompasses weapons of mass destruction as well as conventional weapons – including small arms and light weapons – alongside issues such as cybersecurity, autonomous weapons, applications of artificial intelligence and security in outer space. In doing so, the consortium contributes to the implementation of the EU’s Strategic Compass, within which the strategy on non-proliferation and disarmament represents an increasingly significant component. Among its tasks, the consortium is also responsible for fostering a broader network of European think tanks working on security and arms control issues. The network currently comprises 118 members.
The Consortium organises annual international conferences, ad hoc seminars, as well as consultative meetings with representatives of EU institutions and research centres. It provides the EU with ad-hoc advice and expertise through a help desk facility and produces publications on the full range of non-proliferation and disarmament issues, drawing on expertise from across the Network. The consortium also provides e-learning courses and internships, and organises proliferation awareness training courses for specialists in the natural sciences and relevant fields.
Within the Consortium, IAI is tasked with the organisation of the annual conference, one of the most important activities of the Consortium. Over the years, the annual conference has contributed to the development and the promotion of policies and strategies of the European Union against the proliferation of biological, chemical, nuclear and radioactive weapons, and against the illicit trafficking of conventional weapons.
IAI is also responsible for the contents and the dissemination of the monthly newsletter. Through the publication of interviews, editorials and news, the newsletter aims at raising public awareness on non-proliferation and disarmament issues.
IAI publications: EUNPD E-newsletter (see below External links)
