Ahead of the First Meeting of States Parties of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which takes place in Vienna this week, three more states have formally joined the Treaty, taking the total number to 65.
Less than a week after Guatemala joined, it has been confirmed that Cabo-Verde, Grenada and Timor-Leste have completed the domestic processes necessary for ratification.
A priority for the meeting of states parties will be to agree on actions to encourage more countries to sign and ratify the treaty, with the goal of “universal adherence”. It is hoped that this week’s ratifications will bring new momentum to universalisation efforts.
Elsewhere in Vienna it has also been announced that Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands will attend the meeting as observers, joining states including Germany and Norway. To have so many NATO members the room is a victory for campaigners and an answer to our prayers. It also makes it even more disappointing that the UK government has decided not to participate.
Please join us as we give thanks to God for the leadership of the states joining the Treaty, including Timor-Leste, Grenada and Cabo-Verde. We also pray for a successful meeting in Vienna which will reinvigorate the nuclear disarmament movement around the world.
