Government's reply to letter asking them to attend the 1st meeting of the states parties of the TPNW

Posted: 8th April 2021

Hi all,

Here is the Government’s reply to our 22 Jan (TPNW Entry into Force) letter asking the UK to attend the 1st meeting of states parties of the TPNW. 

See below a pretty dismissive passage from the reply about the TPNW – nothing new tho and in fact they’ve actually managed to restrain themselves on this occasion from casting the TPNW as a risk to international security through its distraction from the NPT. 

“However, the Government is of the firm view that the TPNW fails to address the obstacles that must first be overcome to achieve lasting global nuclear disarmament. We do not believe that the TPNW will improve the international security environment or increase trust and transparency.

The United Kingdom will not send observers to the First Conference of States Parties of the TPNW. The Government has been clear it will not sign the TPNW. We do not believe this Treaty will bring us closer to a world without nuclear weapons and do not accept that the TPNW contributes to the development of customary international law.”

The letter on the integrated review announcement is drafted, will be ready to circulate for sign on shortly.

All the best,

Ben