Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde is an example to be followed by other States, as it has adhered to all of the seven key treaties in the legal architecture on disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, in addition to being party to a nuclear-weapon-free zone (NWFZ) treaty.
TPNW Status
| Key weapons of mass destruction treaties | ||
|---|---|---|
| NUCLEAR WEAPONS | ||
| Party to the TPNW | Yes (Ratified 2022) | |
| Party to the NPT | Yes (Acceded 1979) | |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes (Ratified 2006) | |
| Party to an NWFZ | Yes (Ratified 2020, Pelindaba) | |
| CSA with the IAEA | Yes (In force 2022) | |
| AP with the IAEA | Yes (In force 2022) | |
| BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS | ||
| Party to the BWC | Yes (Acceded 1977) | |
| Party to the CWC | Yes (Ratified 2003) | |
| TPNW Art. 1(1) prohibitions: Compliance in 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Develop, produce, manufacture, acquire | Compliant |
| Possess or stockpile | Compliant | |
| Test | Compliant | |
| (b) | Transfer | Compliant |
| (c) | Receive transfer or control | Compliant |
| (d) | Use | Compliant |
| Threaten to use | Compliant | |
| (e) | Assist, encourage or induce | Compliant |
| (f) | Seek or receive assistance | Compliant |
| (g) | Allow stationing, installation, deployment | Compliant |
| TPNW voting and participation | |
|---|---|
| UNGA resolution on TPNW (latest vote) | Voted yes (2025) |
| Participated in 3MSP (2025) | Yes |
| Participated in 2MSP (2023) | Yes |
| Participated in 1MSP (2022) | No |
| Average MSP delegation size (% women) | 2 (50%) |
| Adoption of TPNW (7 July 2017) | Voted yes |
| Participated in TPNW negotiations (2017) | Yes |
| Negotiation mandate (A/RES/71/258) | Voted yes |
| Fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Nuclear facilities | No |
| Fissile material production | No |
| HEU stocks | No |
| Plutonium stocks | No |
| SQP with the IAEA | Yes (Revised) |
Latest developments
At the Third Meeting of States Parties (3MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in March 2025, Cabo Verde voiced concern that ‘the conflicts that we are witnessing worldwide represent a high risk for the use of nuclear weapons and a serious threat to international peace and security’. It called for all States that have not yet done so to sign, ratify, or accede to the TPNW and appealed to States Parties to continue implementing their obligation under Article 12 of the Treaty to promote universalization. It also welcomed the progress achieved towards this end.1
In the First Committee of the UN General Assembly in October 2025, Cabo Verde reiterated its call for the universalization of the TPNW, describing the elimination of nuclear weapons as ‘a collective responsibility and a moral imperative’. ‘Durable security can only be achieved through the permanent removal of these weapons from the international landscape,’ it said.2
Cabo Verde co-sponsored the 2025 UN General Assembly resolution on the TPNW, which welcomed the Treaty’s entry into force and called upon ‘all States that have not yet done so to sign, ratify, accept, approve, or accede to the Treaty at the earliest possible date’.3
Recommendations
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Cabo Verde should continue to encourage other states to adhere to the TPNW.
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Cabo Verde should ensure that all the TPNW obligations are implemented domestically, through legal, administrative, and other necessary measures.