Nuclear Disarmament Humanitarian Law
The Public Advisory Committee on Disarmament and Arms Control invites registered participants to a two-day conference addressing urgent questions for international peace, security, disarmament and international humanitarian law.
Why this conference, why now?
Nuclear risk
2026 brings renewed focus on proliferation, testing, arms racing, nuclear weapon-free zones, and the humanitarian and environmental legacy of Pacific nuclear testing.
TPNW Review Conference
Participants will explore Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons achievements, constraints, universalisation, and practical outcomes sought for the Review Conference.
IHL under pressure
The programme examines whether international law still matters, how IHL rules are being challenged, and what political and practical initiatives can strengthen compliance.
Programme at a glance
Day One | Nuclear disarmament and the TPNW
Marty Donoghue, Deputy Chair, PACDAC
Taha Macpherson, Deputy Chief Executive – Policy, MFAT
Charlotte Beaglehole with commentary from Prof. Treasa Dunworth
Chaired by Assoc. Prof. Anna Hood with speakers including H.E. Kairangi Samuela, Dr John Borrie, Assoc. Prof. Van Jackson and Dr Zia Mian.
Dr Zia Mian, with discussants H.E. Jane Connolly, Assoc. Prof. Emer. Marianne Hanson and Nicholas Clutterbuck.
Strategy discussions, working groups, report back and reception.
Day Two | International humanitarian law
Insights from Dr Marnie Lloydd, Prof. Treasa Dunworth, Prof. Emer. Don McRae and Dr Amanda Turnbull-McRae.
Speakers include Luke Roughton, Stephen Wilkinson and Dr Marnie Lloydd, with commentary from H.E. Viktor Vavricka and Chief Judge Kevin Riordan.
Commentary from H.E. Viktor Vavricka and Talia Siataga.
Ambassador (retd) Colin Keating.
Moderated by Dr Amanda Turnbull-McRae with Carl Reaich, Prof. Emer. Don McRae, Prof. Treasa Dunworth and Chief Judge Kevin Riordan.
A practical scan of humanitarian protection, humanitarian disarmament, rapid analysis mechanisms and emerging IHL projects.
Speakers and contributors include
- Dr Zia Mian, Princeton University
- Ambassador (retd) Colin Keating
- Taha Macpherson, MFAT
- Charlotte Beaglehole, MFAT
- Dr John Borrie, MFAT
- Assoc. Prof. Anna Hood, University of Auckland
- Prof. Treasa Dunworth, University of Auckland
- H.E. Jane Connolly, Ambassador of Ireland
- H.E. Viktor Vavricka, Ambassador of Switzerland
- H.E. Kairangi Samuela, High Commissioner of Cook Islands
- Assoc. Prof. Van Jackson, Victoria University of Wellington
- Dr Marnie Lloydd, Victoria University of Wellington
- Stephen Wilkinson, International Humanitarian Law Centre, Stockholm
- Chief Judge Kevin Riordan
- Dr Amanda Turnbull-McRae, University of Waikato
- Prof. Emer. Don McRae, University of Ottawa
For registered participants
This page is intended as the conference landing page for people already registered to attend. Please download the full programme before arrival and check the venue details carefully.
Venue: Floor 11, 55 Molesworth Street, Wellington.
Dates: Tuesday 14 July and Wednesday 15 July 2026.