Abstract for: Understanding the Dynamics of Q-NPT Framework: The Case of UAE–South Korea

Global nuclear governance faces challenges from fragmented approaches to trust, equity, transparency, and inclusion. Existing frameworks often fail to capture the dynamic interactions among these pillars, limiting policy effectiveness. This work addresses the gap by operationalizing the Q-NPT (Qudrat-Ullah Nuclear Peace and Trust) framework to provide evidence-based insights for resilient, integrated governance in international nuclear cooperation, such as the UAE–South Korea case. We develop a System Dynamics model representing trust, equity, transparency, and inclusion as interconnected state variables linked through feedback loops, nonlinear interactions, and time delays. Scenario-based simulations over a 30-year horizon evaluate alternative policy interventions, including baseline, transparency-focused, and inclusion-focused governance strategies, to explore their effects on governance outcomes and systemic resilience. Simulations show transparency acts as a high-leverage driver, accelerating trust and enhancing resilience. Inclusion strengthens legitimacy and stakeholder participation but requires complementary transparency mechanisms to impact trust and equity. Incremental reforms plateau, whereas coordinated and sequenced interventions produce sustained improvements across the four governance pillars. These results highlight the interdependent dynamics of effective nuclear governance. The findings emphasize the importance of integrated, evidence-based policy design in international nuclear governance. Transparency and inclusion must be strategically combined to optimize outcomes. This work demonstrates System Dynamics as a valuable tool for exploring policy scenarios, informing long-term governance strategies, and guiding future research on dynamic interactions among governance pillars in complex international contexts.