On May 8 2017, the ELN and Chatham House co-hosted a research event on “The Asia-Pacific Region and its Role in Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiatives.”

ELN Director Sir Adam Thomson chaired the event and the speaker was Professor Ramesh Thakur, Director, Centre for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, Crawford School, The Australian National University; Co-Convenor, Asia-Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament.

The Asia-Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament is a sister network of the European Leadership Network (ELN).

According to the Chatham House report, the participants discussed the fact that the Asia-Pacific region is the most likely theatre for nuclear weapons exchange. They also tackled how to reduce nuclear risks regionally and globally. Professor Thakur provided the Asian perspective for bridging the gap between nuclear weapons states and non-nuclear weapons states, especially with regards to nuclear disarmament initiatives.