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Jamaica
Nuclear-weapon-free state
Has joined the TPNW
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SIGNED
8 December 2017 |
RATIFIED
23 October 2020 |
IN FORCE
22 January 2021 |
Status
Jamaica 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
Courtenay Rattray, the then-permanent representative of Jamaica to the United Nations, signed the TPNW in New York on 8 December 2017, and Jamaica deposited its instrument of ratification with the UN secretary-general on 23 October 2020.
On the occasion of its ratification, Jamaica described the TPNW as “an indispensable part of the global disarmament framework”. It said: “We join with the growing international consensus on this critical issue … [and] are proud to be a part of this historic moment for nuclear disarmament.”
Jamaica was the equal 48th state to ratify or accede to the TPNW.
Courtenay Rattray, the then-permanent representative of Jamaica to the UN, signs the TPNW in 2017. Photo: UNOLA
National position
In 2017, the minister of foreign affairs of Jamaica, Kamina Johnson Smith, welcomed “the fact that we now have the first global treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons” and expressed her hope “that it will enter into force in short order and will be duly observed universally”.
Following the treaty’s entry into force in 2021, Johnson Smith said that “the journey to ratification taught us many lessons, but none greater than the power of the collective will of states to advance global goodwill during challenging circumstances”.
In 2022, Jamaica described the TPNW as “a welcome step” in implementing Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968, which calls for negotiations on effective measures for nuclear disarmament.
Implementation
In accordance with Article 2 of the TPNW, Jamaica submitted a declaration to the UN secretary-general on 19 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, Jamaica 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”.
Meetings of states parties
Jamaica participated in the first meeting of states parties to the TPNW in 2022. “While our treaty is new, it is a clear demonstration of the belief of the majority of the world that there is neither a legal nor moral justification for the development, possession, reliance on or use of nuclear weapons in any context,” it said.
It welcomed the adoption of a political declaration and action plan at the meeting of states parties and expressed its hope that this would “focus hearts and minds to summon the political will needed to sensibly and pragmatically confront the issues”.
Jamaica also participated in the second meeting of states parties in 2023, where it expressed grave concern that “the geopolitical situation has worsened beyond levels seen in decades”, making it “even more critical that we work towards the full implementation of the TPNW and champion its universalisation”.
It called on all non-parties “to take urgent steps to sign and accede to the treaty”, and encouraged states parties to continue working “to dispel the notion that the possession of nuclear weapons represents power, status, deterrence and an instrument of national security”.
TPNW negotiations
Jamaica 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, Jamaica described the treaty-making process as “both timely and critical” given the “heightened level of global uncertainty and insecurity” and “a growing and palpable sense of dissatisfaction” at the failure of nuclear-armed states to fulfil their disarmament obligations.
In 2016, Jamaica 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”.
Rattray addresses the United Nations in 2016 ahead of a vote on the resolution to commence treaty negotiations. Photo: ICAN
Before the negotiations
Jamaica 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-weapon-free state
Has joined the TPNW
[HIGHLIGHTS]
|
|
|
|
SIGNED
8 December 2017 |
RATIFIED
23 October 2020 |
IN FORCE
22 January 2021 |
Status
Jamaica 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
Courtenay Rattray, the then-permanent representative of Jamaica to the United Nations, signed the TPNW in New York on 8 December 2017, and Jamaica deposited its instrument of ratification with the UN secretary-general on 23 October 2020.
On the occasion of its ratification, Jamaica described the TPNW as “an indispensable part of the global disarmament framework”. It said: “We join with the growing international consensus on this critical issue … [and] are proud to be a part of this historic moment for nuclear disarmament.”
Jamaica was the equal 48th state to ratify or accede to the TPNW.
Courtenay Rattray, the then-permanent representative of Jamaica to the UN, signs the TPNW in 2017. Photo: UNOLA
National position
In 2017, the minister of foreign affairs of Jamaica, Kamina Johnson Smith, welcomed “the fact that we now have the first global treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons” and expressed her hope “that it will enter into force in short order and will be duly observed universally”.
Following the treaty’s entry into force in 2021, Johnson Smith said that “the journey to ratification taught us many lessons, but none greater than the power of the collective will of states to advance global goodwill during challenging circumstances”.
In 2022, Jamaica described the TPNW as “a welcome step” in implementing Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968, which calls for negotiations on effective measures for nuclear disarmament.
Implementation
In accordance with Article 2 of the TPNW, Jamaica submitted a declaration to the UN secretary-general on 19 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, Jamaica 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”.
Meetings of states parties
Jamaica participated in the first meeting of states parties to the TPNW in 2022. “While our treaty is new, it is a clear demonstration of the belief of the majority of the world that there is neither a legal nor moral justification for the development, possession, reliance on or use of nuclear weapons in any context,” it said.
It welcomed the adoption of a political declaration and action plan at the meeting of states parties and expressed its hope that this would “focus hearts and minds to summon the political will needed to sensibly and pragmatically confront the issues”.
Jamaica also participated in the second meeting of states parties in 2023, where it expressed grave concern that “the geopolitical situation has worsened beyond levels seen in decades”, making it “even more critical that we work towards the full implementation of the TPNW and champion its universalisation”.
It called on all non-parties “to take urgent steps to sign and accede to the treaty”, and encouraged states parties to continue working “to dispel the notion that the possession of nuclear weapons represents power, status, deterrence and an instrument of national security”.
TPNW negotiations
Jamaica 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, Jamaica described the treaty-making process as “both timely and critical” given the “heightened level of global uncertainty and insecurity” and “a growing and palpable sense of dissatisfaction” at the failure of nuclear-armed states to fulfil their disarmament obligations.
In 2016, Jamaica 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”.
Rattray addresses the United Nations in 2016 ahead of a vote on the resolution to commence treaty negotiations. Photo: ICAN
Before the negotiations
Jamaica 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
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