Calling for No First Use of Nuclear Weapons
Statement by Daisaku Ikeda, President, Soka Gakkai International (SGI) to 2022 NPT Review Conference
TOKYO — Seventy-seven years have passed since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Not only is there a lack of any concrete progress toward nuclear weapons abolition but the risk that nuclear weapons will actually be used has risen to the highest level since the end of the Cold War. Nuclear weapons must never be used, and it is imperative that effective measures be taken to prevent this dire eventuality. [2022-07-26]
Caring about Nuclear Sharing: A Setback for Nuclear Arms Control
Viewpoint by Herbert Wulf
This article was issued by the Toda Peace Institute and is being republished with their permission.
BONN (IDN) — Russia’s repeated references to nuclear weapons since it started the war in Ukraine have put nuclear weapons back at the centre stage of the strategic discussions. This has raised anxieties about a possible nuclear war in Europe, and it is a setback for nuclear arms control. [2022-07-26]
Blueprint For Nuclear Disarmament: The First Meeting of The Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty
By Bimal Khadka
This article was issued by Peace and Health Blog of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW).
LONDON (IDN) — For almost three years, fighting COVID in an emergency department has left me with regular feelings of burnout. That’s why it was such a pleasure for me to join and witness history at a week of anti-nuclear events surrounding the first ever meeting of state parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), from 18 to 23 June, representing International Physicians for the Prevention of the Nuclear War (IPPNW). [2022-07-13]
Safeguards — Brazilian Nuclear Submarine
Viewpoint by Sergio Duarte
The writer is an Ambassador, former United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affair, and President of Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs.
NEW YORK (IDN) — The public curiosity about the Brazilian nuclear-powered submarine, named “Alvaro Alberto” in honour of a nuclear research pioneer in Brazil, has raised interest in the special verification procedures applicable to the project. [2022-07-07]
Let’s Eliminate Nuclear Weapons, Before They Eliminate Us
By Thalif Deen
UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — When UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) on the successful conclusion of their first meeting in Vienna, his warning was dead on target.
“Let’s eliminate these weapons before they eliminate us,” he said pointing out that nuclear weapons are a deadly reminder of countries’ inability to solve problems through dialogue and collaboration. [2022-07-06-09] ARABIC | ITALIAN | JAPANESE TEXT VERSION PDF | PORTUGUESE
SGI Amplifies Voices of Youth, Faith Communities and Nuclear Victims
By IDN-INPS Team
VIENNA | TOKYO (IDN) — From June 21–23, at the historic First Meeting of States Parties (1MSP) to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), held in Vienna, Austria, the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) joined civil society groups calling for universalization of the Treaty, cohosting workshops highlighting perspectives of affected communities and youth.
Hirotsugu Terasaki, SGI Director General of Peace and Global Issues, commented, “At this time of existential threat, all who gathered here have categorically asserted that nuclear weapons are morally and legally unacceptable. We welcome the Vienna Declaration and Action Plan and are determined to continue our efforts to strengthen the effectiveness of this groundbreaking Treaty.” [2022-06-24]
ICRC Accentuates the Vital Importance of Nuclear Disarmament
Following are excerpts from the text of ICRC President Peter Maurer's statement at the TPNW MSP1 on February 21, 2022.
VIENNA (IDN) — A decade ago, this may have seemed illusory. Today, a global, unequivocal, comprehensive prohibition of nuclear weapons—the most catastrophic weapons ever created—is a reality. We owe this reality to the tireless efforts of many: [2022-06-23]
Kazakhstan Calls for Universalization of the TPNW
Following are excerpts from the text of the statement by Kazakh's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi, at the High-Level Opening Session of TPNW MSP1 on June 21, 2022.
VIENNA (IDN) — The First Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW is a remarkable historic achievement following a nearly decade-long collective effort to advance the universal objective of complete nuclear disarmament.
We believe that this Meeting will result in successful outcomes motivated by our deep commitment and political will to find common ground on the issue of general and complete nuclear disarmament. [2022-06-23] JAPANESE
Faith Communities Greet First Nuclear Weapons Ban Conference
By IDN-INPS Team
VIENNA (IDN) — Faith communities "from a diversity of traditions and located all over the world" have joined together "with one voice to mark" the first meeting of the States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)."
In a 'Joint Interfaith Statement' issued on June 21 they "welcome this historic occasion and celebrate this milestone that moves us closer to a world without nuclear weapons". The Statement urges the States Parties of the TPNW to heed the voices of the world’s hibakusha. [2022-06-22] JAPANESE
A Side Event at TPNW Conference Focusses on Nuclear Weapons Victims
By Aurora Weiss
VIENNA (IDN) — "Today is a historic moment," are the words with which the First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) opened in Vienna on June 21. Representatives of the international community, government, civil society and academia gathered here to put into effect the historic Treaty and to shape the future of nuclear disarmament.
Regardless of national interests or belief systems, there is meanwhile agreement that what was considered illusory a decade ago, has become a stark reality. The big powers are in possession of some of the most catastrophic nuclear weapons ever created. [2022-06-21-08] HINDI | JAPANESE TEXT VERSION PDF | SPANISH
