New York, 2 August 2022 (TDI): The United Nations began the 10th Review Conference (RevCon) of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The Conference will take place from August 1-26 at the United Nations in New York. States parties to the NPT will come together to discuss the treaty’s implementation progress.
The 10th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of #Nuclear Weapons (#NPT) starts today.
Where can I find information on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (2017)? #AskDag: https://t.co/E4hyzfYoyy#NPTRevCon #UNODA pic.twitter.com/cEPsA7LLBH
— UN Library (@UNLibrary) August 1, 2022
Highlights from opening remarks
The Review Conference began with monumental remarks from the conference presidents Syed MD Hasrin Syed Hussein, the Permanent Representative of Malaysia to UN and Gustavo Zlauvinen, Permanent Representative of Argentina to UN.
The former briefed the countries on the work of the Preparatory Committee. The Committee had issued recommendations and guidelines on implementing the Treaty before the pandemic.
The latter brought the attention of the states to the complex realities of the pandemic and post-pandemic world. This included climate change and pressures from the war in Ukraine.
Non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, also delivered his opening remarks. He said the Review Conference had been long-delayed and emphasized his planned visit to Hiroshima on the anniversary of the nuclear bombardment.
Additionally, he highlighted the achievement of his mission to the United Nations. The mission had voted for the first time against the resumption of nuclear testing in the Pacific.
Today, humanity is just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation.
The Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is an opportunity to agree on the measures that will help avoid certain disaster. pic.twitter.com/Ht4mm7RFMj
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 1, 2022
Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, emphasized the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
He called upon the international community to prevent the increased acquisition of nuclear arsenals. Additionally, he emphasized cases from the past, like Chornobyl and Fukushima, and from the present such as Iran and North Korea.
Speeches from other countries too emphasized the need for a consensus outcome that strengthens the implementation of the Treaty’s three pillars — non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
