Argentina

Nuclear-weapon-free state

Has not yet joined the TPNW

Status

Argentina has not yet signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). It is the only non-signatory state in Latin America.

 

National position

Argentina voted against an annual UN General Assembly resolution in 2024 that welcomes the adoption of the TPNW and calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to it “at the earliest possible date”. From 2018 to 2023, it abstained from voting on the resolution.

In 2023, it said that, as it is not yet a signatory to the TPNW, it would continue to abstain from voting on the resolution, as it “makes a strong appeal for signature and ratification”.

It also argued that the TPNW and any future treaties on nuclear weapons should strengthen the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), “avoiding duplication or generating parallel regimes on provisions that already are consolidated or broadly accepted within the framework of the NPT”.

Argentina announced in 2022 that it had “initiated an analysis and review process of the [TPNW] that has not yet been completed”. In particular, it is assessing the impact of the TPNW on the broader nuclear non-proliferation regime.

In 2019, it said that it shared “the spirit underlying the treaty”.

Members of congress meet in 2022 to promote Argentina’s adherence to the TPNW. Photo: SEHLAC

 

TPNW negotiations

Argentina 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 its opening statement to the negotiating conference, Argentina said that it “participates in this negotiation process convinced that it is an initiative that will lead to a new international standard”.

In its closing statement, it said that it supported the TPNW’s adoption “because this treaty comes out clearly in favour of the prohibition of nuclear weapons”.

 

Before the negotiations

In 2016, Argentina voted in favour of 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”.

Argentina was also 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 negotiations.

Maria Pia Devoto, an ICAN campaigner from Argentina, addresses a UN working group on nuclear disarmament in Geneva in 2016. Photo: ICAN

 

Further information

Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor

Nuclear-weapon-free state

Has not yet joined the TPNW

[HIGHLIGHTS]

Status

Argentina has not yet signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). It is the only non-signatory state in Latin America.

 

National position

Argentina voted against an annual UN General Assembly resolution in 2024 that welcomes the adoption of the TPNW and calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to it “at the earliest possible date”. From 2018 to 2023, it abstained from voting on the resolution.

In 2023, it said that, as it is not yet a signatory to the TPNW, it would continue to abstain from voting on the resolution, as it “makes a strong appeal for signature and ratification”.

It also argued that the TPNW and any future treaties on nuclear weapons should strengthen the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), “avoiding duplication or generating parallel regimes on provisions that already are consolidated or broadly accepted within the framework of the NPT”.

Argentina announced in 2022 that it had “initiated an analysis and review process of the [TPNW] that has not yet been completed”. In particular, it is assessing the impact of the TPNW on the broader nuclear non-proliferation regime.

In 2019, it said that it shared “the spirit underlying the treaty”.

Members of congress meet in 2022 to promote Argentina’s adherence to the TPNW. Photo: SEHLAC

 

TPNW negotiations

Argentina 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 its opening statement to the negotiating conference, Argentina said that it “participates in this negotiation process convinced that it is an initiative that will lead to a new international standard”.

In its closing statement, it said that it supported the TPNW’s adoption “because this treaty comes out clearly in favour of the prohibition of nuclear weapons”.

 

Before the negotiations

In 2016, Argentina voted in favour of 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”.

Argentina was also 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 negotiations.

Maria Pia Devoto, an ICAN campaigner from Argentina, addresses a UN working group on nuclear disarmament in Geneva in 2016. Photo: ICAN

 

Further information

Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor

[PARTNERS]

Argentine Physicians and Health Professionals for the Prevention of Nuclear War

WEBSITE


Asociación para Políticas Publicas (APP)

WEBSITE

[LOCALSUPPORT]