Workshop on Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones and Latin American Nuclear Leadership

NPSGLOBAL - NTI , Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | December 2025

NPSGLOBAL, in partnership with Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), convened a high-level regional workshop in Rio de Janeiro focused on strengthening cooperation among Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones (NWFZs) and exploring their evolving role within the global non-proliferation and disarmament architecture.

The meeting brought together diplomats, technical experts, regional practitioners, and policy specialists from Latin America and beyond, fostering an environment of open dialogue, critical reflection, and collaborative problem-solving.

Opening Remarks and Special Message
The workshop opened with a special video address by Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who underscored Latin America’s historic leadership in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, highlighted the enduring relevance of the Treaty of Tlatelolco, and emphasized the importance of adapting NWFZ frameworks to today’s geopolitical and technological realities.

His remarks set a reflective and forward-looking tone for the discussions that followed.
From Principles to Practice
Moving beyond traditional panel formats, the workshop was structured around interactive group exercises designed to translate principles into actionable ideas. Participants worked in mixed groups to:
  • Identify concrete mechanisms to strengthen cross-zonal cooperation among NWFZs
  • Examine obstacles and enablers of collaboration across regions
  • Explore future scenarios for NWFZs in light of geopolitical fragmentation, emerging technologies, and evolving deterrence dynamics

These sessions generated a rich exchange of perspectives and practical proposals, highlighting both shared challenges and opportunities for collective leadership.

Key Takeaways
Discussions throughout the workshop emphasized:
  • The continued strategic value of NWFZs as confidence-building and norm-strengthening instruments
  • The need for renewed political visibility and coordinated action among zones
  • The importance of addressing emerging issues such as verification innovation, advanced technologies, and regional capacity-building

The quality and depth of the debates reflected the strong expertise present in the room and reinforced the relevance of inclusive, regionally grounded dialogue.

Group photo – Rio Workshop
Looking Ahead
NPSGLOBAL and NTI view the Rio workshop as a starting point for continued collaboration. Insights and ideas generated during the meeting will inform follow-up work, including conceptual synthesis and the exploration of new joint initiatives aimed at reinforcing the contribution of NWFZs to global peace and security.
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