The Third Conference of States Parties to the TPNW, chaired by Kazakhstan, concluded with significant agreements on nuclear disarmament, including a Political Declaration condemning nuclear threats and the establishment of an International Trust Fund to aid victims of nuclear weapon use. Reflecting on Kazakhstan’s leadership, the conference underscored the urgent need for disarmament and collaboration among global partners.
The Third Conference of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), held on March 7 at the UN headquarters, successfully concluded under Kazakhstan’s chairmanship. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that productive discussions led to a consensus on key documents aimed at enhancing the implementation of the treaty.
A significant reaffirmation of global dedication to nuclear disarmament occurred during the conference, culminating in the adoption of a Political Declaration that condemned nuclear threats and highlighted the severe humanitarian and environmental impacts of nuclear armaments.
Akan Rakhmetullin, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and conference president, stressed the urgent necessity for nuclear disarmament, referencing the devastating events in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the nuclear testing at the Semipalatinsk Test Site. He remarked, “the elimination of nuclear weapons is not a matter of the distant future but a practical and urgent task.”
Among the conference’s pivotal accomplishments was the endorsement of a proposal by Kazakhstan in collaboration with Kiribati to create an International Trust Fund. This initiative aims to support victims of nuclear weapons usage and testing, as well as to facilitate the environmental rehabilitation of affected areas, with a framework to be finalized by mid-2026.
Furthermore, delegates committed to expanding the number of TPNW states parties and enhancing collaborations with parliaments, scientific institutions, and civil society to bolster disarmament efforts.
Kazakhstan’s leadership and steadfast dedication to nuclear disarmament were praised by participants, who also acknowledged the country’s consistent foreign policy under President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as a valuable ally in promoting global security and non-proliferation initiatives.
The conference included various thematic events and exhibitions centered on nuclear disarmament. Among these, Kazakhstan’s side event titled “Semipalatinsk Test Site: The Cost of Nuclear Weapons – A Warning to the World” featured contributions from notable institutions, providing personal narratives from survivors and witnesses of nuclear testing through exhibits and documentaries.
Kazakhstan’s presidency notably reinforced its significance in the global anti-nuclear movement, particularly in the landmark year of the UN’s 80th anniversary, further affirming its standing as a middle power with a distinctive foreign policy.
The TPNW, adopted in 2017 and effective as of 2021, represents the first legally binding international framework for the total elimination of nuclear weapons. Kazakhstan, having renounced the world’s fourth-largest nuclear arsenal and closed the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, continues to stand at the forefront of global anti-nuclear movements.
In conclusion, the Third Conference of States Parties to the TPNW marked significant strides towards nuclear disarmament under Kazakhstan’s presidency. The adoption of crucial agreements, including a Political Declaration and the establishment of an International Trust Fund, reflects a collective urgency in addressing the ramifications of nuclear armaments. Kazakhstan’s leadership solidifies its role as a pivotal player in advancing global nuclear disarmament efforts.
Original Source: astanatimes.com
