On October 24 the conditions for the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons were met. The treaty shall enter into force on 22 January 2021.

The Secretary-General commends the States that have ratified the Treaty and salutes the work of civil society, which has been instrumental in facilitating the negotiation and ratification of the Treaty. Entry-into-force is a tribute to the survivors of nuclear explosions and tests, many of whom advocated for this Treaty.

The entry-into-force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is the culmination of a worldwide movement to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons. It represents a meaningful commitment towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons, which remains the highest disarmament priority of the United Nations.

While the treaty is in effect 5 countries with the largest arsenals, including the United States and Russia, are exempt and negotiating nuclear disarmament or reduction independently.

Published on: 10/27/2020