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NPDI to continue its activities, make its presence felt in denuclearization negotiations

by Jumpei Fujimura, Staff Writer

Prior to the review conference of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), which was held from late April to late May, the members of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI) agreed to continue their activities, it was learned on June 23. The NPDI is a coalition of 12 non-nuclear states that was formed by Japan and other nations. The members decided that, although the NPDI has fulfilled its initial role, the group would continue to make its presence felt in disarmament negotiations.

A representative of Japan’s Foreign Ministry said, “While looking ahead to the next review conference five years from now, we will also consider what we can do in the interim.” The review conference’s draft final document, which was not adopted, included language proposed by the NPDI calling for “enhanced transparency” of nuclear capability. Nuclear nations have been requested to report the number of nuclear weapons they possess in 2017 and 2019. With that in mind the Foreign Ministry intends to work with other members to come up with new activities for the NDPI.

Launched in 2010, the NPDI has conducted activities in support of the action plan on nuclear disarmament that was agreed on at the NPT review conference that year. The group held a ministerial meeting in Hiroshima in April 2014 at which Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, who represents Hiroshima District No. 1, served as chair. Mr. Kishida announced the Hiroshima Statement, in which the ministers invited the world’s political leaders to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki to “witness the consequences with their own eyes.”

Language from the Hiroshima Statement calling for “multilateral negotiations towards the ultimate elimination of all nuclear weapons” and urging all states to “reiterate their deep concern at the humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons” was also reflected in the NPT review conference’s draft final document, so NPDI member nations felt the group had made its presence felt. But the final document was not adopted for various reasons, including United States opposition on Middle East issues, and the international community’s guidelines on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation for the next five years are up in the air.

Keywords

Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative
The Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative, a framework of 12 nations united in a desire to bring about a world with a lower risk of nuclear weapons use, was established under the direction of Japan and Australia. In addition to Japan and Australia, members include Canada, Chile, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines and Nigeria. Thus far the group has held a total of eight ministerial meetings in the spring and fall every year and has proposed practical, specific actions on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

(Originally published on June 24, 2015)

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