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Non Proliferation Preparatory Committee  concludes; Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons states point way forward.

The third Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) for the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) has just concluded at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Following two weeks of meetings that ended (as anticipated) without the adoption of an outcome document, the discussions illustrated a clear divide between the majority of countries, who are actively working towards nuclear disarmament, and the rest.

Pro-nuclear weapons states have demonstrated a profound lack of urgency in the face of increasingly urgent conditions. Following calls in recent months from some to share, transfer, or station nuclear weapons in new countries, it was dismaying that these states were unable to reaffirm even the most basic principle of the NPT – a commitment to prevent proliferation. 

But the increasing risk of nuclear weapons use, anywhere, demands clarity and courage everywhere. That’s what ICAN brings to the table.

In our statement to the conference, we asked the simple question: Can the non-proliferation treaty agree on non-proliferation? We spoke out against the growing number of NPT states parties entertaining the idea of nuclear sharing or a “Eurobomb.” We reminded governments that disarmament and non-proliferation are not  vague aspirations, they are legal obligations. And we emphasized that the nuclear policies of the few are undermining the security of the many.

Throughout the PrepCom, the ICAN team engaged directly with all five nuclear-armed states, as well as most nuclear-supportive and nuclear-hosting governments. These conversations were frank — and necessary — as we need to show them that we are watching, and that we hold them accountable to their commitments. 

At the same time, we had energising meetings, both bilaterally and as groups, with many of the states championing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). With the first Review Conference to the parties to the TPNW, in November 2026, on the horizon, momentum is building — and the intersessional work ahead will be critical.

Why does this matter? Because the TPNW is where real progress is happening. It’s not just setting the standard on disarmament — it is now the clearest reinforcement of the norm on non-proliferation as well. As South Africa, which holds the presidency for the first TPNW Review Conference, stated: “the TPNW represents the highest non-proliferation standard that any State can commit to, thereby strengthening and complementing the NPT.”

And support for the TPNW is growing. Last week, in its general statement to the PrepCom, Kyrgyzstan (which had never previously expressed support for the TPNW) announced its political decision to join the TPNW.  

The next state to sign, ratify, or accede to the TPNW will bring the number of states that have taken such an action to 99. That’s more than half of the world’s states – a global majority standing together to reject nuclear weapons as instruments of security. 

The increasing support for the TPNW proves that, despite stagnation and posturing in other forums, the global movement for nuclear disarmament is not only alive — it’s advancing.

As this PrepCom ends without consensus, last week’s Nobel Peace Laureate letter, from Nihon Hidankyo, IPPNW, and ICAN to Presidents Trump and Putin, calling on them to meet and to pursue disarmament as a matter of urgency, is all the more urgent.  

May 12, 2025 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics international