UN Calls on States to Take Decisive Action to Support Nuclear Weapons Ban TreatyNew York, 5 Mar (ONA) — UN Under-Secretary-General and High
Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu affirmed that
the dramatically evolving geopolitical tensions amid the dangerous
nuclear rhetoric and threats are a stark wake-up call for States to
take action to support the legally binding Treaty on the Prohibition
of Nuclear Weapons.

During the third meeting of the States Parties to the Treaty on the
Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons held at the UN Headquarters in New
York, Nakamitsu expressed concern that the current unpredictable
situations may exacerbate the public’s fear and would increase belief
in the “false narrative” that nuclear weapons are “the ultimate
provider of security”.

She explained that there are reasons for hope in the face of this
challenging outlook, referring to what she described as “the growing
global recognition of the devastating impact of those weapons.”
The UN official said that the growing membership of the Treaty on
the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons also gives more hope.

To date, 73 States have ratified or acceded to the treaty and 94
have signed it, Nakamitsu added.

The meeting, which continues until 7 March 2025, discusses the
catastrophic risks for humanity of nuclear conflict and its
devastating humanitarian consequences of serious environmental
remediation. The meeting’s agenda also focuses on preparing for the
first review conference of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear
Weapons, and discussing ways to strengthen the agreement and ensure
its effective implementation.

The participating States are scheduled to adopt a political
declaration before the meeting concludes this Friday, reflecting the
international community’s commitment to continuing efforts towards a
world free of nuclear weapons.

The legally binding Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is
the first multilateral nuclear disarmament convention to be
negotiated in more than two decades when it was adopted on 7 July 017, and entered into force on 22 January 2021.— Ends/Khalid