Every great journey begins with a single step. When the Erlangen Initiative was launched in 2023 to foster collaboration between academia and regulators in implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540, that first step was taken. Today, the dialogue has advanced to Munich, marking a significant step forward in deepening this engagement.
On 26–27 November 2025, the German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control, in partnership with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, organized the 3rd Erlangen Global Conference in Munich, Germany. The conference, entitled “Academic Engagement in Multilateral Export Controls—Dialogue for Effective Approaches to Implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2024)”, brought together nearly 90 representatives from governments, academia, and the regulatory community worldwide.
Participants discussed recent developments in research security and explored ways to integrate these measures with the principle of scientific freedom. They also shared perspectives on the core elements of Internal Compliance Programs (ICPs) in academia, identified challenges in developing relevant guidelines, tools, and systems, and outlined their expectations for the necessary support.
The conference also highlighted the impact of advanced technologies on research security and ICPs. One speaker, serving as Chairperson of a university’s Research Centre for Law and Technology, remarked, “Artificial intelligence is now my biggest nightmare.”
The rich dialogue and practical insights shared throughout the conference reaffirmed academia’s indispensable role in advancing the objectives of Resolution 1540, particularly in strengthening export control compliance.
The Erlangen Initiative exemplifies this engagement, fostering dialogue in the joint pursuit of solutions across the public and private sectors.
More than half of the speakers at the conference were women. Their strong presence served as a powerful reminder that when diverse voices come together, new ideas emerge, and stronger solutions are created.
The dialogue will continue—beyond Munich to the next destination—where regulators and academia will deepen their conversation on how knowledge can serve humanity’s highest ideals and stand as a lasting guarantor of peace and security for generations to come.
