UN SG expresses disappointment in States’ inabilities to agree on nuclear treaty News
UN SG expresses disappointment in States’ inabilities to agree on nuclear treaty

[JURIST] UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon [official profile] on Saturday expressed [UN report] disappointment in the inability of Member States to reach an agreement on a nuclear non-proliferation treaty, according to a UN spokesperson. The spokesperson released a statement [press release] at the conclusion of the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons [official website], where Member States discussed the treaty which is considered key to global nuclear disarmament. The spokesperson stated:

[The Secretary General regretted that States parties were] unable to narrow their differences on the future of nuclear disarmament or to arrive at a new collective vision on how to achieve a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction… The Secretary-General appeals to all States to sustain the momentum they have built over the past five years, including new initiatives in the pursuit of nuclear disarmament and continuing efforts to strengthen nuclear non-proliferation.

The Secretary General also warned of mounting tensions between States with nuclear arms and a return to Cold War era mindsets. He stated that he hopes the growing awareness of “the devastating humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons continues to compel urgent actions for effective measures leading to the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons.”

Nuclear arms and energy continue to be a controversial topic around the world. In April The Fukui District Court issued an injunction [JURIST report] halting the restart of two nuclear reactors is Takahama, Japan. The court ruled in favor of the locals that requested the injunction, citing the lack of credible evacuation measures and an underestimated earthquake risk. Also in April Iran agreed in principle [JURIST report] to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), creating significant restrictions on its controversial nuclear program for at least a decade in return for a reduction of international economic sanctions. In August 2014 the White House placed new sanctions [JURIST report] on over 30 organizations and individuals with ties to Iran. The sanctions came as the US continued its negotiations with Iran regarding the future of its questionable nuclear program.

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