Press Briefing: Preparatory Committee for Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty Review

Press Briefing  Third Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 NPT Review Conference

Introduction

– Let me join Suzanne in thanking all of you for your presence at this media briefing.

– As you have already been informed the third session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (better known as NPT) began this morning here in New York and would continue up to 9th May 2025.

– My country is honoured to have been endorsed by State parties to chair this session. As Chair, I am committed to working with all States parties for a frank and constructive dialogue necessary to lay good grounds for a successful Review Conference in 2026.

Observations

– I would like to recall that the third session of the Preparatory Committee is the final session before the Review Conference next year and it has the important mandate to agree the procedural and organization aspects of the Review Conference, and make substantive recommendations for the consideration of the 2026 Review Conference.

– While the last two review cycles did not produce agreed outcomes, the expectation is that, this time around, States parties would muster the required political will to achieve an agreed outcome. I count on their constructive and good faith engagement during this session.

– In that regard, the present PrepCom represents a critical opportunity to narrow the gaps between States Parties on their diverging views, consolidate areas where views converge and set a pathway for a successful Conference next year.

– In the view of the Chair, the current environment should not be used and cannot be a basis for an excuse not to take steps required for disarmament. Rather, the present security context needs disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control measures if we are to survive.
Advocacy
– Against this backdrop, the success of the Review Conference in 2026 is neither automatic nor guaranteed. A successful outcome is dependent on the political will of States parties, especially their ability to demonstrate progress on Article VI obligations and to ensure mutual and strengthened accountability for accelerated implementation of existing commitments.

– Indeed, many around the world are concerned by the lack of real progress on nuclear disarmament and emerging proliferation risks that could undermine the hard-won norms to bring about a world free of nuclear weapons and the regime established to achieve that goal.

– It is therefore important that while we should not lose sight of the ultimate objective for the total elimination of nuclear weapons, in the interim, we should accord priority to realizing the goals of stronger negative security assurances and greater transparency and accountability by nuclear-weapon States. These are issues to which many NNWS attach great importance.

– During the 2026 review process, steps must also be taken to assert normative clarity on the non-proliferation obligations and on advancing the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and its applications.

Conclusion
– I would want to emhasise that the NPT is not a self-sustaining regime. It is animated by the actions that States parties take to strengthen the regime.

– In this regard, the review process is an important accountability process for States parties on the implementation of their obligations under the treaty and commitments made in the process.

– When we all rise up to our common task, we help guarantee the interest of international peace and security.

– Before concluding, let me say that I appreciate the amplification role that the media brings to the peoples of the world on this important matter. I will therefore encourage your further reporting on the meetings of the ongoing session and in a non-technical language that they can understand.

– I thank you.