With Japan not in attendance, first TPNW states parties meeting kicks off in Vienna
Jun. 22, 2022
by Kana Kobayashi, Staff Writer
The First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) — which comprehensively bans the possession, production, and threat of use of nuclear weapons — began in Vienna, Austria on June 21. As the international situation surrounding nuclear disarmament becomes increasingly dire with Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, ratifying countries and other participants discussed concrete measures to abolish nuclear weapons and provide support for nuclear victims. With that, international dialogue began with the aim of achieving “a world without nuclear weapons,” something Hiroshima A-bomb survivors have long desired. The A-bombed nation of Japan has not ratified the TPNW and declined to participate in the meeting this time as an observer.
The meeting will continue for three days, through June 23. According to the non-governmental organization the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), about 50 states parties are in attendance at the meeting, along with around 30 observer nations. The United States and other nations in possession of nuclear weapons, which are opposed to the TPNW, are not in attendance at the meeting. Meanwhile, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, and Belgium, members of the nuclear alliance of western nations known as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), had announced their attendance as observers. In addition, Australia is observing the meeting despite the fact that, like Japan, it is dependent on the U.S. nuclear umbrella.
The gathering started when Izumi Nakamitsu, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, called the meeting to order. Alexander Kmentt, Director of Disarmament, Arms Control and Nonproliferation at the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was elected to serve as the meeting’s president. Given the current international situation marked by an accelerated nuclear arms race, Mr. Kmentt emphasized a growing need for the TPNW because of the unprecedented increase in risk of nuclear weapons use. He welcomed the attendance of numerous observer nations reliant on nuclear weapons for their security needs.
The government of the A-bombed nation of Japan made the decision not to attend the TPNW states parties meeting for the reason that not a single nuclear weapons state would be present. At a press conference, Mr. Kmentt explained how he understood that some nations were not in a position to attend but also his feeling that nations in support of nuclear disarmament should be at the meeting, which is designed to serve as a venue for deliberation about issues involving nuclear weapons.
From the late hours on June 21 until the early morning on June 22 (Japan time), speeches were delivered by Hiroshima City Mayor Kazumi Matsui, who serves as president of Mayors for Peace, an organization that works in solidarity worldwide to achieve such goals as the elimination of nuclear weapons, as well as by A-bomb survivors. Scheduled to take place at the meeting are discussions on the topics of nuclear victims’ assistance, environmental remediation, and promotion of membership in the TPNW, as well as adoption of a final document.
By working together with NGOs and other groups, non-nuclear weapons nations were at the forefront of the TPNW’s establishment. In October 2020, the number of ratifying nations and regions reached 50, the number required to effectuate the treaty, which entered into force on January 22, 2021. As of now, 65 nations and regions have ratified the TPNW, but nuclear weapons nations have yet to join.
(Originally published on June 22, 2022)
The First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) — which comprehensively bans the possession, production, and threat of use of nuclear weapons — began in Vienna, Austria on June 21. As the international situation surrounding nuclear disarmament becomes increasingly dire with Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, ratifying countries and other participants discussed concrete measures to abolish nuclear weapons and provide support for nuclear victims. With that, international dialogue began with the aim of achieving “a world without nuclear weapons,” something Hiroshima A-bomb survivors have long desired. The A-bombed nation of Japan has not ratified the TPNW and declined to participate in the meeting this time as an observer.
The meeting will continue for three days, through June 23. According to the non-governmental organization the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), about 50 states parties are in attendance at the meeting, along with around 30 observer nations. The United States and other nations in possession of nuclear weapons, which are opposed to the TPNW, are not in attendance at the meeting. Meanwhile, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, and Belgium, members of the nuclear alliance of western nations known as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), had announced their attendance as observers. In addition, Australia is observing the meeting despite the fact that, like Japan, it is dependent on the U.S. nuclear umbrella.
The gathering started when Izumi Nakamitsu, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, called the meeting to order. Alexander Kmentt, Director of Disarmament, Arms Control and Nonproliferation at the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was elected to serve as the meeting’s president. Given the current international situation marked by an accelerated nuclear arms race, Mr. Kmentt emphasized a growing need for the TPNW because of the unprecedented increase in risk of nuclear weapons use. He welcomed the attendance of numerous observer nations reliant on nuclear weapons for their security needs.
The government of the A-bombed nation of Japan made the decision not to attend the TPNW states parties meeting for the reason that not a single nuclear weapons state would be present. At a press conference, Mr. Kmentt explained how he understood that some nations were not in a position to attend but also his feeling that nations in support of nuclear disarmament should be at the meeting, which is designed to serve as a venue for deliberation about issues involving nuclear weapons.
From the late hours on June 21 until the early morning on June 22 (Japan time), speeches were delivered by Hiroshima City Mayor Kazumi Matsui, who serves as president of Mayors for Peace, an organization that works in solidarity worldwide to achieve such goals as the elimination of nuclear weapons, as well as by A-bomb survivors. Scheduled to take place at the meeting are discussions on the topics of nuclear victims’ assistance, environmental remediation, and promotion of membership in the TPNW, as well as adoption of a final document.
By working together with NGOs and other groups, non-nuclear weapons nations were at the forefront of the TPNW’s establishment. In October 2020, the number of ratifying nations and regions reached 50, the number required to effectuate the treaty, which entered into force on January 22, 2021. As of now, 65 nations and regions have ratified the TPNW, but nuclear weapons nations have yet to join.
(Originally published on June 22, 2022)
