SGI joined more than 90 civil society organizations worldwide to endorse a joint statement, issued on 10 January and delivered to the States Parties of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It was drafted for the 10th NPT Review Conference, which had been rescheduled for January 2022 and is now postponed again.
The statement highlights three key messages for States Parties to consider at the Review Conference:
- Global support for the NPT is strong, but its long-term viability cannot be taken for granted. It is encouraging to see countries reiterate support for the NPT but the Treaty is only as strong as its implementation.
- The grave state of global affairs and the rising risk of nuclear conflict and arms racing requires new and bolder leadership from responsible States. Implementing past action plans must be the floor and not the ceiling.
- Those that resist change also say the “environment” is not right for further progress, but responsible actors everywhere are rising to the challenge. The world cannot wait until the environment is “right” for disarmament.
It states, “The Tenth NPT Review Conference offers a critical opportunity to change the current course, and to focus efforts to slow and reverse the accelerating arms race, prevent proliferation, and bring about the end of nuclear weapons.”
The statement also offers extensive policy analysis and recommendations, and highlights, among other things, the importance of disarmament and non-proliferation education and the role of faith communities.
A video of representatives of various organizations reading the statement is also available. Anna Ikeda of SGI was one of the readers.
