The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
28 November 2023
Dear Prime Minister,
As the Sydney Peace Foundation Council, we reaffirm our commitment to disarmament and advance our goal of a nuclear weapon free world.
In this time of increased global tension, conflict and military escalation it has never been more important or urgent to eliminate nuclear weapons. The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons provides a pathway to their elimination.
We welcome Labor’s reaffirmed commitment to sign and ratify the Treaty, and the Government’s decision to observe the Second Meeting of States Parties from 27 November to 1 December 2023.
We urge the Government to advance the signature and ratification of the Treaty without delay, which we note would bring Australia into line with our Pacific Island and Southeast Asian neighbours – not to mention the majority of UN member states – on the illegality of nuclear weapons.
Australia has a proud history as one of the first countries to sign and ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological Weapons Convention. Yet when it comes to the most dangerous weapons of mass destruction, nuclear weapons, the Australian Government is dragging its feet.
We urge you to fulfill your pre-election pledge to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons alongside the international majority committed to disarmament.
Yours faithfully,
The Sydney Peace Foundation Council