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YOU THOUGHT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE? WELL, IT’S HAPPENING!

Need for World Free of Nuclear Weapons More Urgent than Ever, Top United Nations Disarmament Official Tells Delegates Negotiating Legally Binding Instrument for Banning Nuclear Weapons

  • 16 June 2017
  • Number of views: 430

Event date: 6/14/2017 - 7/7/2017 Export event

YOU THOUGHT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE? WELL, IT’S HAPPENING!

In 2016, the UN General Assembly decided by overwhelming majority to initiate negotiations on a treaty banning nuclear weapons in 2017. These negotiations began on 27–31 March and are set to continue 15 June–7 July 2017 in New York. An organisational meeting was held on 16 February.

Governments met from 27 to 31 March and from 14 June to 7 July to negotiate a new legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons. Civil society organizations from all around the world can participate effectively in these discussions, work to get media coverage, and to ensure that governments develop and adopt a strong treaty banning nuclear weapons.

The draft language provides a good basis for a strong, categorical prohibition of nuclear weapons. The President of the negotiations, Ambassador Elayne Whyte has captured many key elements proposed during the first negotiating session in March. The 2nd Conference is being held from June 15 - July 7. Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, was opening the resumed session of the Conference to negotiate a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons and lead towards their total elimination.  Expected to run for three weeks, the Conference aims to conclude negotiations by producing an outcome document on 7 July.

The International Association of Peace Messenger Cities is strongly endorsing the proposed draft resolution. It summarizes decades of our activities and efforts in creating a nuclear weapons free world. In this regard, the IAPMC has appointed our representative, H.E. Ambassador Sylvester E. Rowe (photo below) to attend the Conference at the United Nations.


Sylvester E. Rowe

Sylvester E. Rowe



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