The third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is currently taking place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Foreign Minister, Akan Rakhmetullin, welcomed new treaty ratifications by Indonesia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, and the Solomon Islands.
Rakhmetullin noted that work is underway on the final documents, including a declaration outlining key decisions on various aspects of the treaty.
Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Melissa Parke, stressed that nuclear disarmament is achievable, stating that these weapons were created by humans, and with the necessary political will and leadership, they can be eliminated.”
Legal Adviser at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),Eirini Giorgiou, warned of the growing risks posed by nuclear weapons. He added that they continue to cast a deep shadow over the future, with the likelihood of their deliberate or accidental use increasing exponentially.
Giorgiou emphasised the urgent need for global action, describing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) as a vital step towards nuclear disarmament, saying the treaty is a response to a pressing global imperative. It prohibits nuclear weapons as a crucial step towards their total elimination and provides a realistic roadmap to achieve that goal.”
She added that more than half of the world’s nations have expressed their commitment to the treaty’s principles, calling on remaining states to follow suit.
Adopted on 7 July 2017, the treaty entered into force on 22 January 2021, making it the first multilateral nuclear disarmament agreement negotiated in over two decades. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has hailed it as a significant step towards a nuclear-free world and a testament to multilateral efforts in disarmament.
The meeting includes a thematic debate on the risks of nuclear conflict and its humanitarian consequences. States parties will also review the treaty’s implementation, addressing issues such as universal adoption, complete nuclear disarmament, victim assistance, environmental remediation, and international cooperation.
To date, 73 states have ratified or acceded to the treaty, while 94 have signed it. The meeting is expected to conclude with the adoption of a political declaration.
