Cambodia
Cambodia 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 2021) | |
| Party to the NPT | Yes (Acceded 1972) | |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes (Ratified 2000) | |
| Party to an NWFZ | Yes (Ratified 1997, Bangkok) | |
| CSA with the IAEA | Yes (In force 1999) | |
| AP with the IAEA | Yes (In force 2015) | |
| BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS | ||
| Party to the BWC | Yes (Ratified 1983) | |
| Party to the CWC | Yes (Ratified 2005) | |
| TPNW Art. 1(1) prohibitions: Compliance in 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (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 (2024) |
| Participated in 2MSP (2023) | Yes |
| Participated in 1MSP (2022) | Yes |
| Average MSP delegation size (% women) | 3 (16.5%) |
| 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 (Modified) |
Latest developments
At a high-level UN event to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on 26 September 2024, Cambodia warned that, in these fragile and uncertain times, ‘it is absolutely imperative that all States act together to ensure peace is preserved, and that nuclear weapons are not used under any circumstances in order to avoid catastrophic consequences’. It said that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) ‘play a critical role in nuclear disarmament efforts’ and ‘[s]trengthening the implementation of these treaties is vital’.1
During the high-level segment of the UN General Assembly in September 2024, the Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, Chenda Sophea Sok, expressed concern that, ‘with intensifying geopolitical tensions, any misstep in various flashpoints may trigger a regional or even global war, potentially involving nuclear weapons’.2
In the First Committee of the UN General Assembly in October 2024, Cambodia said that the TPNW ‘fortifies our collective aspirations for a world free of nuclear arms’ and complements the NPT. It urged ‘all States to consider joining the TPNW’.3
Recommendations
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Cambodia should continue to encourage other states to adhere to the TPNW.
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Cambodia should ensure that all the TPNW obligations are implemented domestically, through legal, administrative, and other necessary measures.