Belize

Nuclear-weapon-free state

Has joined the TPNW

SIGNED

6 February 2020

RATIFIED

19 May 2020

IN FORCE

22 January 2021

 

Status

Belize has signed and ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). It was among the original 50 states parties to the treaty when it entered into force on 22 January 2021.

 

Signature and ratification

Lois Michele Young, the then-permanent representative of Belize to the United Nations, signed the TPNW in New York on 6 February 2020. In a press statement, the government said that its signature demonstrated its support for “a world free of nuclear weapons”.

Belize deposited its instrument of ratification with the UN secretary-general on 19 May 2020, becoming the 37th state to ratify or accede to the TPNW.

Lois Michele Young, the then-permanent representative of Belize to the United Nations, signs the TPNW in 2020. Photo: UNOLA

 

Implementation

In accordance with Article 2 of the TPNW, Belize submitted a declaration to the UN secretary-general on 22 February 2021 confirming that it does not own, possess, or control nuclear weapons, has never done so, and does not host any other state’s nuclear weapons on its territory.

Per Article 12, Belize has promoted universal adherence to the TPNW, including by co-sponsoring and consistently voting in favour of an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to the treaty “at the earliest possible date”.

 

TPNW negotiations

Belize participated in the negotiation of the TPNW at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and was among 122 states that voted in favour of its adoption.

In 2016, Belize co-sponsored the UN General Assembly resolution that established the formal mandate for states to commence negotiations on “a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination”.

 

Before the negotiations

Belize was among 127 states that endorsed a “humanitarian pledge” in 2015–16 to cooperate “in efforts to stigmatise, prohibit, and eliminate nuclear weapons”. The pledge was instrumental in building momentum and support for convening the TPNW negotiations.

 

Further information

Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor

Nuclear-weapon-free state

Has joined the TPNW

[HIGHLIGHTS]

SIGNED

6 February 2020

RATIFIED

19 May 2020

IN FORCE

22 January 2021

 

Status

Belize has signed and ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). It was among the original 50 states parties to the treaty when it entered into force on 22 January 2021.

 

Signature and ratification

Lois Michele Young, the then-permanent representative of Belize to the United Nations, signed the TPNW in New York on 6 February 2020. In a press statement, the government said that its signature demonstrated its support for “a world free of nuclear weapons”.

Belize deposited its instrument of ratification with the UN secretary-general on 19 May 2020, becoming the 37th state to ratify or accede to the TPNW.

Lois Michele Young, the then-permanent representative of Belize to the United Nations, signs the TPNW in 2020. Photo: UNOLA

 

Implementation

In accordance with Article 2 of the TPNW, Belize submitted a declaration to the UN secretary-general on 22 February 2021 confirming that it does not own, possess, or control nuclear weapons, has never done so, and does not host any other state’s nuclear weapons on its territory.

Per Article 12, Belize has promoted universal adherence to the TPNW, including by co-sponsoring and consistently voting in favour of an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to the treaty “at the earliest possible date”.

 

TPNW negotiations

Belize participated in the negotiation of the TPNW at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and was among 122 states that voted in favour of its adoption.

In 2016, Belize co-sponsored the UN General Assembly resolution that established the formal mandate for states to commence negotiations on “a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination”.

 

Before the negotiations

Belize was among 127 states that endorsed a “humanitarian pledge” in 2015–16 to cooperate “in efforts to stigmatise, prohibit, and eliminate nuclear weapons”. The pledge was instrumental in building momentum and support for convening the TPNW negotiations.

 

Further information

Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor

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