From 28 April–2 May 2025, a delegation from Soka Gakkai International (SGI) participated in the Third Preparatory Committee for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). This was the final session before the 2026 Review Conference of this foundational international agreement, adopted in 1968 and entered into force in 1970 with the objective to stop the spread of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament. Today, the treaty has been adopted by 189 states. 

Despite the failure to find agreements at the last two review conferences and the evident mistrust among states, the week was marked by a shared recognition of the critical importance of preserving and revitalizing the NPT. Many participants repeatedly emphasized that sincere and honest dialogue, transparency and accountability are essential to build trust and make meaningful progress towards a world free of nuclear weapons. 

During these intense and often challenging days, the urgency of this trust-building became evident. Many Non-Nuclear Weapon States (NNWS) criticized the nuclear-armed states for failing to meet their commitments under Article VI of the treaty, which obligates parties to pursue negotiations on nuclear disarmament in good faith. They particularly criticized the modernization rather than the reduction of arsenals, which contradicts the treaty’s disarmament aims. Geopolitical tensions, especially related to the war in Ukraine, further strained dialogue and made consensus more difficult to reach. Only states that have signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) highlighted its complementary role in reinforcing the disarmament pillar of the NPT. 

SGI continued to advocate for the adoption of a No First Use (NFU) policy as a key measure for reducing nuclear risk and building trust between states. Throughout the week, SGI actively engaged in advocacy on the NFU policy as a concrete nuclear risk reduction measure and to advance nuclear disarmament. 

One of the key highlights of SGI’s engagement was the side event titled “Preventing the Use of Nuclear Weapons: In Pursuit of Nuclear Disarmament,” organized in collaboration with the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies and sponsored by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations. The event featured distinguished speakers, including states representatives from Kazakhstan and Austria, academic experts from the James Martin Center, a representative from the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and civil society experts. Discussions focused on preventing nuclear weapon use and promoting disarmament as well as the importance of creating spaces for dialogue between nuclear-armed and non-nuclear-armed states.

During the event, Chie Sunada of SGI spoke about SGI’s ongoing efforts to promote nuclear disarmament through peace and disarmament education, emphasizing the importance of grassroots awareness rooted in the Buddhist principle of respect for the dignity of life. 

She highlighted that SGI's approach centers on confronting the real enemy—not nuclear weapons or the states that possess them, but the dangerous mindset that justifies their existence. Stressing the urgency of shifting human consciousness, she referenced the powerful testimonies of hibakusha, survivors of atomic bombings, as living proof of the devastating human impact of nuclear weapons. Quoting a hibakusha’s words, she said, "No one else should ever suffer what we did." 

Sunada asserted that the NPT must serve as a crucial moment to reinforce the "nuclear taboo"—the internationally shared understanding since 1945 that nuclear weapons must never be used. She also urged the NPT Preparatory Committee to further discuss No First Use pledges despite ongoing hesitancy and to consider establishing mechanisms such as a monitoring center to ensure trust in NFU pledges.

She concluded by affirming, "History teaches us that when people stand firm and resist the overwhelming pull of pessimism and resignation, previously unimaginable developments and progress become possible. Indeed, it is often in times that appear darkest and most desperate that the greatest opportunities for fundamentally reforming human society can be found. Let us stand together, with unwavering resolve, to usher in a world free from the shadow of nuclear annihilation."

SGI also endorsed the Youth Statement delivered by young representatives from Reverse the Trend and the Youth Project of the Nuclear Peace Age Foundation.

Throughout the week, several interesting side events took place, providing valuable opportunities to deepen knowledge about the NPT and explore how civil society and governments are reflecting on today’s concerning realities. SGI engaged in direct conversations with delegates from multiple countries and participated in dialogues with other civil society representatives and state delegates from various nations.

Among the various initiatives, SGI also attended a side event that used art as a way to raise awareness and advocate for a world free from nuclear weapons. The staged reading of Exposed, a play written by Mary Dickson and directed by Charles Morey, which focuses on the experiences of individuals affected by radioactive fallout from U.S. nuclear weapons testing, commonly referred to as “downwinders.” The performance highlighted the health, social and emotional impacts faced by those exposed to fallout, offering valuable insight into the issue of nuclear testing in the U.S. 

Despite challenges, a noteworthy development was the announcement by Kyrgyzstan, which has previously abstained from the TPNW, of its intention to join during the NPT. This is a significant step, considering the ongoing efforts made in the region by civil society, including SGI, that once again demonstrates the crucial role of civil society in driving change.

Throughout the discussions, the importance of raising awareness about the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons remained a central theme, especially in the current geopolitical climate. It was argued that nuclear weapons offer a false sense of security and that ordinary citizens are essential allies in guiding their governments toward disarmament. Public awareness campaigns were recognized as key tools in emphasizing the devastating humanitarian consequences of nuclear war and testing. Disarmament education was also promoted as a way to challenge the prevailing logic of nuclear deterrence.

On May 8, SGI co-sponsored a side event with the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and Reverse the Trend titled “Interfaith Perspectives – Hope for Peace in a World of Conflict.” The event featured panelists from the Sant’Egidio Foundation, Columbia University, the Global Security Institute and the International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation. This interfaith gathering brought together religious leaders, peace advocates and community members to reflect on the spiritual and ethical dimensions of nuclear disarmament. Through dialogue and shared commitment, participants explored how faith traditions can contribute to building a more peaceful and just world.

Anna Ikeda of SGI spoke about SGI’s efforts to advocate for the policy of No First Use in connection to the Buddhist concept of inner transformation, quoting late SGI President Daisaku Ikeda’s statement to the 2022 NPT Review Conference and noting that NFU was included in the Draft Recommendations to the Review Conference of the NPT (CRP.4). Ms. Ikeda stressed that faith communities must challenge the concept of nuclear deterrence because it is a security concern that threatens, rather than protects, all of us, and she relayed the Lotus Sutra parable “Three Carts and the Burning House” to stress the urgency of nuclear disarmament. She said, “We are in the ‘burning house’ today—we have been for the last 80 years. However, the public still remains unaware of the present threat, and those countries that possess and depend on nuclear weapons also continue to underplay the dangers… I believe it is the responsibility of faith communities in particular to help find the way out of the burning house, to avoid the collective, planetary suicide and save everyone, including those contributing to the current dangers.”

Despite some valuable suggestions in the draft recommendation and draft decision, there was a lack of consensus on the final day, and the PrepCom closed without reaching an outcome. Nevertheless, it remains encouraging that most member states acknowledged the importance of complementarity between the NPT and TPNW. We look forward to the intersessional period leading up to the first Review Conference of the TPNW parties in November 2026, as well as the final review conferences of the NPT. The path forward is undoubtedly difficult, but SGI remains committed to choosing hope and working step by step to transform today’s challenging realities through dialogue that leads to trust, and the empowerment of future generations looking toward the horizon of a world free of nuclear weapons.