During the general debate of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly from 19 to 25 September in New York, presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers from all regions of the world spoke in favour of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which opened for signature on 20 September. Here are some of the highlights.

Over the last two weeks, approximately 120 government delegations have been gathered at the UN in Geneva to discuss the implementation (and lack thereof) of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). A considerable number of international organizations and civil society actors were also in attendance. Adopted fifty years ago this year, the purpose of the NPT is to curb the spread of nuclear weapons, further nuclear disarmament, and guarantee the right of all states to use nuclear technology for civilian purposes.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which opened for signature in September 2017, is attracting new adherents. The Treaty was adopted by 122 states to a standing ovation at the UN General Assembly.

Brussels/Strasbourg. European Union’s legislature takes clear stance on upcoming negotiations on international treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons: the EU’s Member States should “support the convening” and “participate substantively” in its negotiation. 

On Thursday, 13 October, a cross-regional group of nations formally submitted a draft resolution to the First Committee of the UN General Assembly to establish a mandate for negotiations in 2017 on a “legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination”.

A group of governments have submitted a draft UN General Assembly resolution to start negotiations on a treaty banning nuclear weapons.