New York, 9 December 2021 (TDI): Joint Courses of Action and Future-oriented Dialogue towards a world without nuclear weapons draft resolution was adopted in the Plenary Meeting of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. The draft resolution was submitted by Japan. 158 countries supported the resolution.
Joint Courses of Action & Future-oriented Dialogue towards nuclear weapons elimination
The draft resolution reaffirms that eliminating nuclear weapons is a joint objective for the global community. It also underscores the significance of joint immediate action as well as conduction of future-oriented dialogues by the international community with the intent to uphold the regime of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
It was adopted with all-around support from states; nuclear-weapon-states such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and France. Many non-nuclear-weapon states also supported the resolution. Japan aims to contribute to a noteworthy outcome of the 10th NPT Review Conference, through this draft resolution.
Furthermore, it intends to continue working with decisiveness to connect the states for steady advancement towards realizing a world sans nuclear weapons.
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is commonly known as NPT. According to Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the UNGA, it is an essential pillar of international security and peace. Furthermore, it is the core of the non-proliferation regime and nuclear disarmament.
The distinctive status of NPT stems from its near-ubiquitous membership, verifiable non-proliferation safeguards regime, commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and legally-binding obligations on disarmament.
The NPT recognizes only 5 nuclear-weapon countries; France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russian Federation, and China. It obligates the aforementioned states not to share knowledge related to nuclear weapons, or to transfer nuclear weapons or any other nuclear explosive devices.
The treaty opened for signature in 1968 whereas it entered into force in 1970. Ever since, the member states gather after every five years to review the implementation of NPT.