The Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs wholeheartedly congratulates President Elayne Whyte-Gómez and all participants in the Conference to negotiate a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons on the successful conclusion of its work with the adoption of a Treaty. From March 15 to 27 and from June 15 to July 7 2017, governmental and non-governmental delegations as well as representatives of many civil society organizations contributed in different capacities to the definition of a Treaty in accordance with General Assembly Resolution 71/258 and produced an international instrument that established a clear, binding legal norm leading to the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. In particular it includes the prohibition to host nuclear weapons belonging to some other country. This result would not have been possible without the dedicated engagement of all delegations and the substantive assistance and encouragement of civil society, especially the long and consistent efforts made by the victims of use of nuclear weapons (hibakusha) as well as of those affected by the testing of nuclear weapons. The Treaty is a categorical rejection of nuclear arms and will provide a solid basis for further progress in nuclear disarmament in order to enhance the security of all nations and peoples everywhere. Pugwash hopes that all States will sign and ratify this instrument as soon as possible in order to realize the longstanding aspiration of humankind for a world free of all weapons of mass destruction.
Sergio Duarte, Pugwash Council
Jayantha Dhanapala, Pugwash President
Paolo Cotta Ramusino, Pugwash Secretary General
New York, July 7 2017
Pugwash Welcomes Nuclear Ban Treaty [pdf]
See also, “Finally, Nuclear Weapons Are Outlawed“, by Jayantha Dhanapala,
Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs 