PRESS RELEASE : First Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference – UK’s opening statement [August 2023]

Mr Chairman, let me begin by congratulating you on your election and assuring you of the full cooperation of the United Kingdom delegation as you carry out your important duties.

This PrepCom marks the start of our collective work towards the Eleventh Review Conference. We were all disappointed that one State Party chose to block the adoption of a consensus outcome document at the Tenth Review Conference. Nonetheless, the discussions last year demonstrated the commitment and desire of the overwhelming majority of States Parties to uphold and strengthen the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The NPT is a cornerstone of the international peace and security system, underpinned by international law and the fundamental principles of the UN Charter. It is of crucial importance to all states.

As a Nuclear Weapon State that takes its responsibilities seriously, the United Kingdom is fully committed to the full implementation of the NPT, in all its aspects.

The NPT provides the only credible route to nuclear disarmament. It has also created the framework that has limited the spread of nuclear weapons, and it enables safe access to the benefits of peaceful uses of nuclear technologies.

Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine began over 500 days ago. The implications of Russia’s actions for the NPT – including its irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, its reckless endangering of the security of nuclear power plants, and its undermining of the credibility of its negative security assurance – overshadowed the Tenth Review Conference. We cannot ignore Russia’s actions as we begin this new review cycle.

Mr Chairman, this review cycle should focus on the significant global contribution, which the peaceful uses of nuclear technology make to improving people’s lives, including through the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We believe more countries can benefit. The UK will prioritise this through our work with the IAEA and the Sustained Dialogue on Peaceful Uses initiative.

High non-proliferation, safety, and security standards enable those peaceful uses. The UK strongly supports the IAEA’s independence and safeguards mandate. We call for State Parties to bring into force the full safeguards suite, including the Additional Protocol. We champion export controls as the key enabler of peaceful nuclear trade. And, as new technologies emerge, we will work to ensure that the same levels of international safeguards, security and safety standards apply.

In May, the UK Prime Minister visited Hiroshima. Alongside fellow G7 leaders, he reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to achieving a world without nuclear weapons, with undiminished security for all. The UK remains committed to our Article VI obligation to pursue negotiations in good faith toward disarmament. We must lay the groundwork for future disarmament while recognising the challenges of the deteriorating security environment. The UK will continue our efforts on practical initiatives, based on the fundamental principles of irreversibility, verification and transparency on which we have all agreed, to help bring the prospect of a world without nuclear weapons closer.

At Hiroshima, the Prime Minister also underscored the importance of the 77-year record of non-use of nuclear weapons and that the UK stands by the joint statement of the Leaders of the Five Nuclear-Weapon States issued in January 2022, on ‘Preventing Nuclear War and Avoiding Arms Races’. As a responsible Nuclear Weapon State, the UK calls on Russia to recommit – in words and deeds – to the principles enshrined in that statement.

Building on this, the UK will continue its work on strategic risk reduction. We will engage with non-nuclear-weapon states and civil society on this issue, because building a more secure environment is a collective responsibility. It is not a replacement for disarmament, but it is complimentary to the NPT’s overarching goals.

Mr Chairman, as we begin this Eleventh Review Cycle, despite the challenges, we must remain energetic and determined, with a high ambition for what we can achieve together.

Last week, in the Working Group on the further strengthening of the review process, we were encouraged by the range of constructive proposals, including in the key areas of improving transparency, reporting and accountability. As we begin the Preparatory Committee today, the UK is fully committed to working in good faith to strengthen the review process and to uphold and reinforce the integrity of the NPT.