Organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Conference features a ministerial segment during which ministers will deliver national statements and adopt a Ministerial Declaration, a scientific and technical programme comprising high-level policy discussions on the overall themes central to nuclear security and parallel technical sessions on related specialized scientific and technical, legal and regulatory issues. The previous conference, held in 2016, attracted over 2,000 participants, including 47 government ministers, from 139 Member States and 29 intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.

The conference provides a forum for ministers, policymakers, senior officials and nuclear security experts to formulate and exchange views on experiences and achievements, current approaches, future directions and priorities for nuclear security. The conference is aimed at raising awareness to maintain and further strengthen national nuclear security regimes as well as international cooperation in strengthening nuclear security globally, reviewing the current status of nuclear security efforts, existing approaches and trends, and highlighting areas that may need more focused attention including technological dimensions.

It is also intended to promote IAEA nuclear security guidance and other international guidelines, and their use by States, develop the sharing of information and good practices in nuclear security whilst protecting sensitive information and reaffirm and supporting the central role of the IAEA in strengthening the nuclear security framework globally and in leading the coordination of international activities in the field of nuclear security, whilst avoiding duplication and overlap.