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
| 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.