Denmark

Nuclear-weapon endorser

Has not yet joined the TPNW

SIGNED

RATIFIED

IN FORCE

Status

Denmark has not yet signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

National position

Denmark has consistently voted against an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that welcomes the adoption of the TPNW and calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to it “at the earliest possible date”.

Denmark supports the retention and potential use of nuclear weapons on its behalf, as indicated by its endorsement of various alliance statements of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), of which it is a member.

In 2021, the then-minister of foreign affairs of Denmark, Jeppe Kofod, confirmed that there is no legal barrier to Denmark’s accession to the TPNW. However, it would breach NATO “solidarity”, he informed a parliamentary committee.

Political developments

Three former Danish foreign ministers – Mogens Lykketoft, Holger K. Nielsen and Kjeld Olesen – signed an open letter in 2020 calling on current leaders to “show courage and boldness – and join the [TPNW]”.

Public opinion

A public opinion poll conducted by YouGov in 2020 found that 78 per cent of Danes believe that their country should join the TPNW, with just 7 per cent opposed to joining. Furthermore, 65 per cent believe that Denmark should be among the first NATO states to join, even if it faced pressure from allies not to do so.

TPNW negotiations

Denmark did not participate in the negotiation of the treaty at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and thus did not vote on its adoption. On the opening day of the negotiating conference, it joined the United States and several other states in protesting the treaty-making process.

In 2016, Denmark voted against 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”.

In a document sent to NATO members ahead of the vote, the United States “strongly encourage[d]” members, including Denmark, to vote against the resolution, “not to merely abstain”. In addition, it said that, if the treaty negotiations do commence, allies and partners should “refrain from joining them”.

Further information

Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor

Denmark

Nuclear-weapon endorser

Has not yet joined the TPNW

Status

National position

Political developments

Public opinion

TPNW negotiations

Further information

Local Partner Organizations

Related news View all news ›

nuclear proliferation

Nuclear proliferation rhetoric in Europe spikes again as fear of Trump’s plans grows

tpnw

100 French Cities Call for France To Join the TPNW

tpnw

Cities are taking a stand against nuclear weapons

nuclear weapons

NATO deepens commitment to nuclear weapons and militarisation

nato

NATO escalates nuclear tensions with Russia

nuclear weapons

Sweden, NATO and the irresponsible calls for more nuclear sharing in Europe

nuclear weapons

NATO fails to reduce nuclear risks at Vilnius Summit

norway

European Parliamentarians meet in Oslo to Advance the Mission of the TPNW

sweden

How will Sweden relate to NATO’s nuclear weapons policy?

italy

Italy: Foreign Affairs Committee compels government to review participation at MSP

russia

ICAN: Putin placing Russian nuclear weapons on high alert is reckless, dangerous

nuclear weapons

ICAN condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

nato

Germany expected to observe TPNW MSP

norway

Norway first Nato state to commit to participating at the MSP

nuclear weapons

Report: Why NATO members should join the UN nuclear weapon ban

nato

Populations in 6 NATO states overwhelmingly support the TPNW

united states

Here are five examples of the type of activities that will be Illegal under international law on 22 January 2021

tpnw

56 former leaders and ministers of US allies urge states to join the nuclear weapon ban treaty

tpnw

Malta signs UN nuclear weapon ban treaty

eu

EU elections: ICAN urges MEPs to join the ICAN Parliamentary Pledge

tpnw

Could Spain be the first NATO State to sign the Nuclear Ban Treaty?

eu

NEW POLL: Europeans reject US nuclear weapons on own soil

tpnw

US pressured NATO states to vote no to a ban

austria

European Parliament votes in favour of a ban