The United Nations conference on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons opens today at UN headquarters in New York. This marks the third Meeting of States Parties to the treaty, which officially came into force in 2021, prohibiting the development, use, and other activities related to nuclear weapons.
Attendees include members of Nihon Hidankyo, a group of Japanese atomic bomb survivors, who were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year for their efforts in advocating for nuclear disarmament. Survivors Hamasumi Jiro and Wada Masako will represent the group at the conference, which runs through Friday.
While the treaty has been signed by 94 countries and regions, with 73 ratifying it, major nuclear powers such as the United States, Russia, and China are notably absent. Japan, which relies on the U.S. nuclear umbrella for defense, has also decided not to attend, even as an observer.
The meeting comes amid growing global concerns. Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine has been accompanied by repeated nuclear threats, while China is expanding its nuclear capabilities and North Korea continues its missile and nuclear programs. Despite these escalating tensions, global talks on nuclear disarmament remain stalled.
U.S. President Donald Trump has shown an interest in nuclear arms reduction with Russia and China, though no specific plans have been put forward.
The conference will continue efforts to push for a world free of nuclear weapons, despite the absence of key nuclear states and the difficult geopolitical landscape.
Sources: Nihon Hidankyo, UN, US Government
