St Vincent and the Grenadines has become the 24th state to Ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, notifying the United Nations on 31 July.
It becomes the third member state of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to complete the ratification process, following Guyana and St Lucia. A further two CARICOM states, Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda. Many other CARICOM member states voted in favour of the Treaty when it was agreed at the United Nations in July 2017.
Other states are set to sign and ratify the Treaty at a high-profile session at the United Nations in New York next month. The Treaty requires a further 26 states to complete the ratification process before it enters into force.
CARICOM has described the Treaty as a reflection of the “strong international support for a permanent end to the threat posed by nuclear arms”. In October 2018, CARICOM announced that more of its member States are expected to sign and ratify the Treaty “in short order, as we seek to contribute to the Treaty’s early entry into force and to its universal adherence”.
During a recent meeting of Caribbean states a very positive statement was issued on the Treaty, you can read more about that here.
Christian CND continues to pray for further ratifications in order to bring the Treaty into force quickly, along with engagement from the nuclear-armed states, including the United Kingdom. Please join us as we pray.
