Tokyo, 14 December 2021 (TDI): The State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, ODAWARA Kiyoshi virtually attended the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The virtual conference was jointly hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden, Ann Linde, and the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, Annalena Baerbock.
During the meeting, the participants deliberated upon the prospects and measures adopted by the member states for the 10th NPT Review Conference.
ODAWARA Kiyoshi whilst addressing the conference accentuated the significance of pursuing tangible measures which will work as a platform to collaborate mutually. He addressed both real security threats as well as the humanitarian impacts of the usage of nuclear weapons.
Significance of Strengthening and Maintaining NPT
State Minister ODAWARA underscored the significance of strengthening and maintaining the NPT as the foundation of the international nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. Moreover, he highlighted the efforts taken by Japan to find a common ground, in this regard.
These include the resolution on the elimination of nuclear weapons, which was submitted by Japan and adopted at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as well as the Third Track 1.5 meeting for Substantive Advancement of Nuclear Disarmament held on December 9, 2021.
Talking about the Stockholm Initiative, the Japanese State Minister enunciated the intent of Japan to continually support the Initiative. He emphasized the importance of the complete implementation of pertinent Unite Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, in the backdrop of the situation in the Korean Peninsula.
The participants of the Stockholm Initiative conference also shared their views on further cooperating with reference to their efforts leading up to the 10th NPT Review Conference.
Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament and the Non-Proliferation Treaty
The Stockholm Initiative was launched in Stockholm in June 2019. It aims to facilitate a successful outcome of the 10th Review Conference of the NPT via creating political support for a practical and result-oriented nuclear disarmament agenda.
){kind=link}