Kazakhstan Takes Lead in Global Nuclear Disarmament Talks at UN Meeting
The Third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is set to take place at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York from March 3-7. This gathering will bring together global leaders in a concerted effort to advance nuclear disarmament initiatives.
Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Akan Rakhmetullin, has been elected as the president of the meeting, underscoring Kazakhstan’s steadfast commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons. The TPNW, which was adopted on July 7, 2017, and came into force on January 22, 2021, is the first multilateral nuclear disarmament treaty negotiated in over two decades.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has hailed the treaty as a crucial step towards the ultimate goal of a nuclear weapons-free world. The TPNW contains a comprehensive set of prohibitions on activities related to nuclear weapons, including testing, production, and deployment, as well as providing assistance to states engaged in such activities.
Discussions at the upcoming meeting will focus on various aspects, including the humanitarian consequences of nuclear conflict, victim assistance, environmental remediation, and international cooperation. A series of side events and exhibitions will also highlight different facets of nuclear disarmament, with Kazakhstan leading initiatives on nuclear justice and the legacy of nuclear testing at the Semipalatinsk site.
The meeting will feature remarks from high-level officials, representatives from states parties, and advocacy organizations such as the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Survivors of nuclear explosions will also share their testimonies, underscoring the human impact of nuclear weapons.
Overall, the Third Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW aims to build on previous discussions and decisions made at earlier meetings to further advance global efforts towards nuclear disarmament. With Kazakhstan at the helm of this pivotal gathering, the international community is poised to make significant strides in promoting a safer and more secure world for all.
