Holy See Statement on the Complementarity of the Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons

By H. E. Archbishop Gabriele Giordano CacciaApostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations

Statement at the Second Meeting of States Parties to the

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

Complementarity of the Treaty with the existing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime

1 December 2023

Mr. President,

The Holy See commends Ireland and Thailand for their efforts as Co-Facilitators and welcomes their report on the complementarity of the TPNW with the existing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

As affirmed by States Parties, the TPNW complements and advances the implementation of Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), while strengthening its safeguards system by making the Additional Protocol and the Revised Small Quantities Protocol obligatory for those States that have signed them at the time of the entry into force of the TPNW. Despite the NPT’s lagging implementation efforts, particularly under the disarmament pillar, it remains the cornerstone of the disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

Regarding the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), my Delegation welcomes the attention given in the report to the potential of the International Monitoring System (IMS) and its data to contribute to the effective implementation of positive obligations under the TPNW. The Holy See urges exploration of this during the intersessional period in cooperation with CTBT States Signatories. Furthermore, my Delegation calls for increased collaboration to promote universalization between TPNW States Parties and the CTBT Organization, in view of the latter’s positive overall momentum in securing additional ratifications despite some setbacks. Since the objects and purposes of the TPNW and the CTBT complement and advance one another, it follows that they should be promoted in parallel.

My Delegation further welcomes report of the Co-Facilitators that has focused extensively on nuclear-weapon-free zones (NWFZs). These zones complement the TPNW by reducing the geographic scope of potential proliferation and nuclear deterrence strategies, strengthening non-proliferation commitments and promoting regional security. In this regard, nuclear-weapon-free zones have undeniably advanced an anti-nuclear weapons norm.

Finally, the Holy See supports greater engagement between TPNW States Parties and the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), which could advance understanding of the human and environmental harms caused by nuclear weapons activities and contribute to efforts to address such harms.

Thank you, Mr. President.