3 July 2023

The Scientific Advisory Group met on 3 July 2023 to continue its work on identifying and engaging scientific and technical institutions in States Parties and more broadly to establish a network of experts to support the goals of the Treaty. Following a presentation on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons testing with particular reference to radioactive fallout / gamma radiation and its long-term effects on food sources, the environment and on people in, for example, the Marshall Islands and elsewhere, the Group discussed the legal and policy implications for States Parties to the TPNW. Sub-groups reported back on progress made in their drafting of a report on the status and developments regarding nuclear weapons; nuclear weapon risks; the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons; and, issues relating to nuclear disarmament. Plans were also made for the SAG’s first in-person meeting, which will be held in Vienna on 4 August 2023.

5 June 2023

The Scientific Advisory Group met on 5 June, 2023 to discuss its work on identifying and engaging scientific and technical institutions in States Parties and more broadly to establish a network of experts to support the goals of the Treaty. Debates centered around a number of issues, including developing criteria for membership, the purpose of the network and the definition to be used for a scientific and technical institution and expert. Plans and methods for drafting the SAG report to 2MSP were also discussed.

1 May 2023

On 1 May 2023, the Scientific Advisory Group held its third meeting online. SAG members first provided briefings on (a) progress of the Article 4 Informal Working Group and (b) status of nuclear weapons risks. SAG members then discussed the work of its own working groups. SAG Working Group 1 will organise intersessional work thematically (around nuclear weapon status, risks, humanitarian consequences, and disarmament) and the drafting of a report to be delivered to the 2MSP. SAG Working Group 2 is examining the creation of a network of experts to support the goals of the TPNW and capacity-building in States Parties.

3 April 2023

The Scientific Advisory Group held its second meeting on 3 April 2023. Members of the Group discussed internal organisational issues, including on the Group’s mandate, working plans and reporting requirements. They also discussed their involvement in the work of some of the Treaty’s working groups. The Group further established two informal working groups of the SAG: one on nuclear weapons —nuclear weapons status; nuclear weapon risks; the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons; nuclear disarmament and related issues ; and a second one on scientific network building—identify and engage scientific and technical institutions in States Parties and more broadly to establish a network of experts to support the goals of the Treaty. 

1 March 2023

The first meeting of the Scientific Advisory Group took place on 1 March 2023. At the meeting, the Group elected Ms. Patricia Lewis and Mr. Zia Mian as co-chairs. Following the election, the Group heard a briefing from the Secretariat on its mandate, before engaging in a discussion on decisions related to the effective functioning of the Group as well as its programme of work for 2023.