More than 100 nations – a global majority – are now parties or signatories to the landmark Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), following Gabon’s signature on 23 September.
The Gabonese foreign minister, Marie-Édith Tassyla-Ye-Doumbeneny, signed the treaty on behalf of her country during the annual leaders’ week at the United Nations in New York.
In her statement, she said: "My country is firmly committed to these principles and wishes to reaffirm its commitment, and contribute to their implementation alongside all partners for a safer world".
ICAN won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 for its work leading to the adoption of the TPNW. Its Executive Director, Melissa Parke, welcomed today’s news: “I congratulate Gabon on signing the TPNW. Gabon is demonstrating the wisdom and foresight to see that this treaty is the way to remove the existential threat from nuclear weapons for good. With every country that joins the TPNW, the more the diplomatic pressure builds on the nuclear-armed countries and their pro-nuclear allies and the more isolated they will become – it is time they gave up resisting the nuclear ban and joined Gabon and the other TPNW supporting states on the right side of history.”
ICAN's Melissa Parke and Seth Shelden with Marie-Édith Tassyla-Ye-Doumbeneny
Later this year, South Africa will preside over the TPNW’s first review conference – a crucial moment for making progress towards a nuclear-weapon-free world. African nations stand united in their support for the TPNW and rejection of nuclear weapons.
Each new signature of the TPNW strengthens the global norm against the worst weapons of mass destruction and builds momentum for nuclear disarmament.
Leaders’ week at the United Nations
During the high-level segment of the UN General Assembly this week, ICAN is meeting with leaders, foreign ministers and senior officials from around the world to encourage urgent action to eliminate nuclear weapons.
Our aim is to persuade more nations to join the TPNW ahead of the review conference. As global nuclear dangers continue to rise, the treaty offers a crucial pathway towards a more peaceful and secure world.
ICAN’s executive director, Melissa Parke, will speak at the UN commemoration of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on 29 September.