Caption for image: June 15, 2017. Negotiations regarding the TPNW at the United Nations in New York.
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) was adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 2017 in response to both the failings of the nuclear weapons states to take affirmative steps to disarm as required by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and as a recognition that nuclear weapons have already had major humanitarian impacts as a result of their development, testing, use and threat of use. The TPNW serves as an outline for the elimination of nuclear weapons by systematically prohibiting their development, distribution, creation, upkeep, and direct or indirect use. In January 2021, the TPNW had accumulated enough ratifications to enter into force. There are now a total of 98 state signatures (73 of which have also ratified it). Juxtaposed to the current global nuclear arms race, fueled by ongoing technological advancements, new nuclear weapon designs, new missions and new delivery vehicles by many of the nuclear weapons states (including the US); the TPNW functions as a vital alternative, and as a pathway towards peace and nonproliferation.
Next week, the Third Meeting of State Parties will be hosted at the UN in New York, with Kazakhstan serving as the President. This meeting will be held to discuss the status and upkeep of the agreement, as well as measure goals and processes for the elimination of nuclear weapons. Sadly, the nine nuclear weapons states will not be in the room.
There will be a large gathering of non-governmental agencies and stakeholders who will meet to support the treaty. To view a summary of the meetings, day by day, visit MSP-TV. If you would like to read more about the first and second meeting, click here.
Tri-Valley CAREs has an annual gathering at the gates of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to support “Banniversary” of the TPNW entering into force. Join Tri-Valley CAREs for our monthly meeting, hosted on March 20th at 7:30pm, where we will be reporting out on the Third Meeting of State Parties, and giving an overview of what occurred!