Applications are now open. The Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS), with the support of the European Union, invites young researchers and professionals from around the world to apply to the second edition of the HCoC Youth Group (2026–2027). The deadline is 31 July 2026.

The seminar on 5 December 2025 in Geneva successfully gathered international experts and diplomats to address the evolving relevance of the HCoC. Discussions focused on how the Code can adapt to new geopolitical and technological challenges to reinforce its critical role in transparency and restraint.

On 3 December 2025, FRS organised an online webinar to discuss the critical dynamics between missile defence systems and global proliferation, anchored in the findings of the HCoC Research Paper N°15, “The Shield and the Sword”. The session highlighted the paradox that missile defences, while essential for protection, create incentives for adversaries to expand and sophisticate their arsenals, addressing resulting risks such as space militarisation and the necessity of confidence-building measures.

On 25-26 November 2025, the FRS, in cooperation with the Department of International Relations & Cooperation (DIRCO), hosted a Regional Seminar in Pretoria dedicated to ‘Missile Proliferation: What Role for Confidence-Building Measures Such as the HCOC?’. Representatives from South Africa , as well as governmental delegates from regional countries (including Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Namibia, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) , and officials from international organisations and other experts took part in this event.