On July 14-16, the University of Chicago will host a significant event focusing on nuclear threat prevention. The gathering will feature over 15 Nobel laureates and leading experts in nuclear weapons. This assembly aims to produce actionable recommendations for global leaders and policymakers to prevent nuclear war.
Prof. Daniel Holz from UChicago, chair of the Science and Security Board of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, emphasized the urgency of addressing nuclear threats: “Looking at the headlines, it’s a uniquely dangerous moment.” He noted that public awareness of nuclear war risks has diminished, hoping the event will reignite focus on this critical issue.
The Nobel Laureate Assembly for the Prevention of Nuclear War is organized by several entities including the Nobel Foundation and Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs. It coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Trinity test, marking its significance as the first Nobel Assembly centered on nuclear threats.
The agenda includes closed-door discussions on various topics such as climate effects of nuclear war, AI-related risks, and nonproliferation legal frameworks. Notable speakers include Siegfried Hecker and Robert Floyd. These sessions aim to shape comprehensive recommendations for preventing nuclear conflict.
On July 16, findings will be presented at a news conference available via webcast. The event concludes with a public performance by Kronos Quartet and Allison Russell at UChicago's Logan Center for the Arts.
UChicago holds historical significance in nuclear research as it was where Enrico Fermi achieved the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction in 1942. The Bulletin, an organization born from Manhattan Project scientists' concerns about nuclear weapons' risks, continues to highlight these dangers through initiatives like setting the Doomsday Clock.
Holz highlighted modern nuclear bombs' increased power compared to those used in World War II: “This can’t be a pie-in-the-sky thing—we’re looking at actual practical steps that can be taken to reduce the risks of nuclear war.” He stressed global cooperation as essential in addressing current security challenges.