Gaukhar Mukhatzhanova

Japan Chair for a World without Nuclear Weapons
"This is a nice short quote"

Areas of Research

  • Non-proliferation organisations and regimes
  • International negotiations and the role of cross-regional coalitions
  • Nuclear-weapon-free zones
  • Iran’s nuclear programme
  • Proliferation theory

Background

As the Japan Chair for a World without Nuclear Weapons, Ms. Mukhatzhanova is leading a multi-year research and dialogue programme on nuclear disarmament and multilateral diplomacy, established through an endowment received from the Government of Japan.

Additionally, Ms. Mukhatzhanova serves as Director of the International Organisations and Non-Proliferation Programme at the VCDNP, where her work is focused on multilateral regimes and institutions in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

Ms. Mukhatzhanova served as an NGO advisor on state delegations to the 2010, 2015, and 2022 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conferences and advised the delegation of Chile to the negotiations of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in 2017. Ms. Mukhatzhanova is the principal author of a series of CNS reports monitoring the implementation of the 2010 NPT Action Plan.

She was previously Senior Research Associate and NPT Project Manager at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS). She has taught workshops and courses on Iran’s nuclear programme and on nuclear proliferation trends and trigger events at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey. Prior to joining CNS, she was a Media and Outreach Specialist at the UN Development Programme in Kazakhstan.

Education

Ms. Mukhatzhanova received her MA in International Policy Studies, with distinction, from the Monterey Institute of International Studies (2007) and her BA in Journalism/Mass Communication, Cum Laude, from the American University in Bulgaria (2001).

Related Content

Key Issues for the 2026 NPT Review Conference 
VCDNP experts Gaukhar Mukhatzhanova and Sanaa Alvira have prepared a series of briefs for diplomats on the issues that are likely to dominate debates at the 11th NPT Review Conference.
Spring 2026 Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Short Course 
The VCDNP conducted its 31st intensive short course on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, training 22 diplomats, officials, and other practitioners representing 20 countries.
31 March 2026 • 
Multilateral Diplomacy and Nuclear Governance in an Era of Rapid Global Change
At the 2026 annual VCDNP diplomatic workshop, diplomats and senior officials discussed a wide range of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament issues against the backdrop of a strained international order, norms, and institutions.
13 March 2026 • 
Seeking Solutions for the 2026 NPT Review Conference: Senior Diplomats Convene for Discussions in Annecy 
At the annual diplomatic workshop in Annecy, France, senior diplomats, international organizations representatives and non-governmental experts discussed priorities, challenges and opportunities for the 2026 NPT Review Conference.
9 March 2026 • 
1 2 3 4 5 6 17
cross
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram