CANWFZ Treaty Parties Express Deep Concern Over Lack Of Nuclear Disarmament Progress

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- The five countries party to the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia (CANWFZ Treaty) on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the lack of substantial progress towards nuclear disarmament, as required under Article 6 of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

In a joint statement marking the 20th anniversary of the CANWFZ Treaty, foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan called for the urgent development of new, verifiable arms control mechanisms to prevent a nuclear arms race.

“We regret that the Eleventh Review Conference of the States Parties to the NPT concluded without adopting substantive outcomes, reflecting continuing differences and a lack of trust in the field of nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation.

“We call on all NPT parties to continue negotiations in good faith on the effective implementation of obligations under all three interrelated and mutually reinforcing pillars – nuclear disarmament, nonproliferation, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” the statement read.

The ministers also reaffirmed the key role of the NPT as the cornerstone of international efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and, ultimately, to achieve their complete elimination.

They further affirmed unwavering support for the activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in implementing the provisions of the NPT, promoting cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and applying safeguards and monitoring of nuclear programmes in the agency’s member states.

“We firmly advocate for the necessity of the earliest entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which will mark exactly 30 years since its opening for signature on 24 September 2026,” the statement said.

The ministers also emphasised the need to further strengthen the international norm against nuclear testing and called for refraining from any actions that could undermine this norm.

“We emphasise the important role of raising awareness on disarmament and non-proliferation in fostering a culture of peace, trust and responsibility, and note the particular importance of involving the youth in discussions on disarmament and international security,” the statement said.

-- BERNAMA