On Tuesday (3 March 2026), NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the State Secretary of the German Federal Foreign Office Géza Andreas von Geyr, opened the 20th annual NATO Conference on Arms Control, Disarmament and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Non-Proliferation.
The two-day conference in Berlin brings together senior officials and experts from Allied and partner nations, as well as international organisations, to discuss the evolving global security environment and the future of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.
In a pre-recorded video message to conference participants, Secretary General Rutte highlighted how the topic remains essential to our shared security. "We face numerous challenges, including from the world's deadliest weapons in the hands of those who seek to undermine us," he said. "But NATO Allies are ensuring that we have what we need to deter and defend."
This year's conference focuses on the "strategic crossroads" of international arms control, highlighting NATO's dual commitment to strengthening deterrence and defence, while actively pursuing stability through effective arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation. The participants also discussed the future of multilateral frameworks, such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), ahead of its 11th Review Conference this spring.
"We must uphold and strengthen the NPT; there is no credible alternative to it," the Secretary General said, adding that arms control and non-proliferation reduces risk, enhances predictability, and contributes to international stability. "And the stronger we are, the more successful our dialogue on arms control and non-proliferation is. Resulting in greater security for all," he added.
The conference will also address collective responses to emerging threats from state and non-state actors seeking to weaken existing global guardrails, as well as the impact of emerging technologies on WMD non-proliferation.
NATO has organised the annual Conference on Arms Control, Disarmament and WMD Non-Proliferation since 2004. Co-hosted by NATO Allies, the event offers an opportunity for informal discussions among high-ranking government officials and experts on threats posed by WMD.
