A major conference on nuclear nonproliferation kicked off at the U.N. on Monday, but experts say discussions at the nearly monthlong event are unlikely to do much to advance efforts to stop North Korea’s weapons program, even as Pyongyang appears set to conduct a seventh nuclear test. 

Signatories to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) have gathered in New York the long-delayed NPT Review Conference, where they will discuss ways to strengthen and implement the pact through Aug. 26.