Nuclear Non-Proliferation
The first stage of the event was a public conference by personal invitation, attended by experts, journalists, and senior political figures. Organised by the Centre for Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA), the session addressed the urgent risks of nuclear proliferation and the need to contain the nuclear arms race. The discussion was chaired by Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and moderated by Renaud Girard, columnist and foreign correspondent for Le Figaro. The panel included Bronisław Komorowski, former President of Poland; Jack Straw, former Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom; Yaşar Yakış, former Foreign Minister of Turkey; and Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, former Foreign Minister of Italy. Together, the five speakers examined the geopolitical dangers of nuclear escalation, the weaknesses of existing non-proliferation mechanisms, and the urgent need for international cooperation in addressing these challenges.
The second stage was a private cocktail reception, limited to a smaller circle of politicians, diplomats, and experts. This more intimate format allowed for candid exchanges and informal discussions on political affairs, enabling participants to reflect on the themes of the conference while also engaging in direct dialogue on wider international issues.
The third stage was a private dinner, moderated by Renaud Girard, which brought together Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and Randa Kassis, President of the Astana Platform. Their exchange focused on the Syrian conflict and the question of what realistic political solutions might be pursued in the prevailing circumstances. Annan drew on his long experience in international diplomacy, while Kassis offered insights from her direct engagement in Syrian opposition politics. The dialogue underscored the difficulties of overcoming entrenched positions but also highlighted the importance of combining principled approaches with pragmatic strategies. By linking international expertise with the political realities on the ground, the discussion sought to identify avenues—however limited—for advancing the prospect of peace and stability in Syria.
