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States Parties

Holy See

The Holy See participated in the First Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW (1MSP) in Vienna in June 2022. Pope Francis, in a statement read by his representative, noted: ‘At this particular moment in history where the world seems to be at a crossroads, the courageous vision of this legal instrument, strongly inspired by ethical and moral arguments, appears ever more timely.’[1]

TPNW Status

SIGNATURE
20 Sep 2017
DEPOSIT WITH UNSG
20 Sep 2017 (Ratification)
ENTRY INTO FORCE
22 Jan 2021
DECLARATION
Received 15 Feb 2021
TPNW Article 1(1) prohibitions: Compliance in 2022
(a) Develop, produce, manufacture, acquire Compliant
Test Compliant
Possess or stockpile 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) N/A
Participated in 1MSP (2022) Yes
1MSP delegation size (% women) 5 (20%)
Adoption of TPNW (7 July 2017) Voted yes
Participated in TPNW negotiations (2017) Yes
Negotiation mandate (A/RES/71/258) N/A
Other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) treaties
Party to an NWFZ No
Party to the NPT Yes (Acceded 1971)
Ratified the CTBT Yes (Ratified 2001)
Party to the BWC Yes (Acceded 2002)
Party to the CWC Yes (Ratified 1999)
IAEA safeguards and fissile material
Safeguards agreement Yes
TPNW Art 3(2) deadline N/A
Small Quantities Protocol Yes (Modified)
Additional Protocol Yes
Enrichment facilities/reprocessing plants No
HEU stocks No
Plutonium stocks No

Latest developments

At the Tenth Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in August 2022, the Holy See said that the TPNW constitutes an ‘effective measure’ for nuclear disarmament as required by Article VI of the NPT. ‘The entry into force of the TPNW should encourage this Review Conference to advance progress on nuclear disarmament and further explore how the TPNW and NPT can mutually reinforce one another,’ it added.2

Marking the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on 26 September 2022, the Holy See said that the outcomes of the 1MSP ‘ensure that progress can be made on nuclear disarmament, especially in the areas of verification, victims’ assistance, and environmental remediation’. It reiterated its hope that, ‘irrespective of their positions on the TPNW, states with nuclear weapons will contribute to such efforts’.3

In the First Committee of the UN General Assembly in October 2022, the Holy See said that, by signing and ratifying the TPNW, states have signalled ‘their recognition that nuclear deterrence is not only illegal but also immoral’. It added that the success of the 1MSP contrasts with the ‘regrettable failure’ of the latest NPT Review Conference.4

Recommendations

  • The Holy See should continue to encourage other states to adhere to the TPNW.
  • The Holy See should ensure that all the TPNW obligations are implemented domestically, through legal, administrative, and other necessary measures.
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