The Third Conference of States Parties to the TPNW, chaired by Kazakhstan, concluded on March 7, 2023. Key outcomes included the adoption of a Political Declaration against nuclear threats and the approval for an International Trust Fund to assist victims and support environmental rehabilitation. Kazakhstan’s leadership was praised, emphasizing the country’s commitment to nuclear disarmament and effective foreign policy coordination.
On March 7, the Third Conference of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) concluded at the United Nations headquarters, chaired by Kazakhstan. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions led to meaningful dialogue and agreements aimed at enhancing the treaty’s implementation.
The conference underscored the global resolve towards nuclear disarmament, highlighted by the adoption of a Political Declaration. This declaration condemned threats posed by nuclear weapons and underscored their devastating humanitarian and environmental impacts.
Akan Rakhmetullin, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and conference president, stressed the urgent need for nuclear disarmament. He referenced historical tragedies from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as nuclear testing at the Semipalatinsk Test Site, stating, “the elimination of nuclear weapons is not a matter of the distant future but a practical and urgent task.”
One significant result from the conference was the approval of a proposal to establish an International Trust Fund, supported by Kazakhstan and Kiribati. This fund aims to aid victims of nuclear weapon usage and testing, while also facilitating the rehabilitation of affected environments. Delegates committed to completing the fund’s framework by mid-2026, with an anticipated launch at the 2026 TPNW Review Conference.
Participants unanimously agreed to initiatives aimed at expanding the number of TPNW state parties and enhancing cooperative efforts with parliaments, scientific institutions, and civil society to bolster disarmament campaigns. Kazakhstan’s leadership was commended for its ongoing dedication to nuclear disarmament.
The conference included thematic events, such as Kazakhstan’s side event, “Semipalatinsk Test Site: The Cost of Nuclear Weapons – A Warning to the World,” which featured contributions from the National Nuclear Center of Kazakhstan, Semei Medical University, and Goodwill Ambassador Karipbek Kuyukov. Additionally, the “Echoes of the Polygon” exhibition and the documentary “I Want to Live On” showcased personal narratives from survivors of nuclear testing.
Kazakhstan’s presidency reinforced its prominent role in the global anti-nuclear movement. Its effective leadership during this pivotal time, especially in conjunction with the UN’s 80th anniversary, solidifies its reputation as a middle power committed to an independent and balanced foreign policy.
The TPNW, effective since 2021 and established in 2017, represents the first legally binding international agreement aimed at the total eradication of nuclear weapons. Kazakhstan, having voluntarily dismantled its fourth-largest nuclear arsenal and closed the Semipalatinsk Test Site, remains at the forefront of the global anti-nuclear movement.
In conclusion, the Third Conference of States Parties to the TPNW, chaired by Kazakhstan, achieved vital agreements to promote nuclear disarmament. Central outcomes included the establishment of an International Trust Fund and a renewed commitment to expand TPNW membership. Kazakhstan’s effective leadership shone through, affirming its role as a leading advocate for nuclear disarmament globally. The conference collectively emphasized the pressing need for immediate disarmament and the humanitarian implications of nuclear armament, reiterating the treaty’s importance in today’s geopolitical climate.
Original Source: astanatimes.com
