From AUKUS to Brazil: SSNs, the NPT, and Responsible Stewardship

Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Time: 1:15-2:30 pm EDT
Location: United Nations Headquarters (NGO side event room)

Australia and Brazil are poised to become the first non-nuclear weapon states to put nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) to sea. Although the two programs differ in many ways, given their precedential nature, how can Australia and Brazil effectively reassure the international community of their continued commitment to and compliance with the NPT? What do the separate processes that they have underway to negotiate safeguards arrangements with the IAEA indicate about best practices for achieving transparency and meeting reassurance requirements? What other elements of responsible stewardship are features of the Australian and Brazilian SSN programs? How might principles of responsible stewardship inform future SSN programs and NPT compliance in other countries that may aspire to develop this capability?

Join Toby Dalton, Layla Dawood, Jamie Kwong, and Ben Zala for a discussion on SSNs, the NPT, and responsible stewardship at the 2025 NPT Preparatory Committee meeting in New York City.

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Speakers

Toby Dalton is a senior fellow and co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment.

Layla Dawood is a professor of international relations at the State University of Rio de Janeiro.

Jamie Kwong is a fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Ben Zala is a senior lecturer in politics and international relations at Monash University.