Myanmar
In the First Committee of the UN General Assembly in October 2023, Myanmar acknowledged that the TPNW ‘is contributing to strengthening norms against nuclear weapons’, while expressing regret that it ‘is still not able to ratify it due to the illegitimate military junta that staged an illegal military coup against the democratically elected government in February 2021’.[1]
TPNW Status
| TPNW Article 1(1) prohibitions: Compliance in 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (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) | Voted yes (2023) |
| Participated in 2MSP (2023) | Yes (observer) |
| 2MSP delegation size (% women) | 3 (33%) |
| Adoption of TPNW (7 July 2017) | Voted yes |
| Participated in TPNW negotiations (2017) | Yes |
| Negotiation mandate (A/RES/71/258) | Voted yes |
| Other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) treaties | |
|---|---|
| Party to an NWFZ | Yes (Ratified 1996, Bangkok) |
| Party to the NPT | Yes (Acceded 1992) |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes (Ratified 2016) |
| Party to the BWC | Yes (Ratified 2014) |
| Party to the CWC | Yes (Ratified 2015) |
| IAEA safeguards and fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Safeguards agreement | Yes (20 Apr 1995) |
| TPNW Art 3(2) deadline | N/A |
| Small Quantities Protocol | Yes (Original) |
| Additional Protocol | No (Signed 2013) |
| Enrichment facilities/reprocessing plants | No |
| HEU stocks | No |
| Plutonium stocks | No |
Latest developments
Myanmar observed the Second Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW (2MSP) in November and December 2023, where it described the Treaty as ‘a testament to the collective commitment’ to the ‘noble goal’ of a nuclear-weapon-free world. ‘We share the view that the implementation and universalisation of the TPNW are essential to achieving a world free of nuclear weapons and to addressing the harm caused by nuclear weapons to people and the environment,’ it said. ‘Therefore, Myanmar joins others in urging all [UN] member states to ratify the TPNW.’ Myanmar informed the meeting that it had planned to become a state party to the TPNW prior to the military coup in 2021, which had disrupted the country’s ratification process for the Treaty. ‘Despite the challenges posed by the illegal military coup and its atrocities against Myanmar people, we reaffirm our unwavering support for the principles enshrined in the Treaty and our commitment to become a State party,’ it said. ‘The ratification process necessitates a conducive political atmosphere where the people’s will is respected, and democratic institutions are reinstated.’2
Myanmar was one of the co-sponsors for the 2023 UN General Assembly resolution on the TPNW, which 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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Myanmar should urgently ratify the TPNW.
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Myanmar should bring into force its Additional Protocol with the IAEA, and upgrade to a modified Small Quantities Protocol.