Paraguay
Paraguay 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 2020) | |
| Party to the NPT | Yes (Ratified 1970) | |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes (Ratified 2001) | |
| Party to an NWFZ | Yes (Ratified 1969, Tlatelolco) | |
| CSA with the IAEA | Yes (In force 1979) | |
| AP with the IAEA | Yes (In force 2004) | |
| BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS | ||
| Party to the BWC | Yes (Acceded 1976) | |
| Party to the CWC | Yes (Ratified 1994) | |
| 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) | Yes |
| Average MSP delegation size (% women) | 2.33 (39%) |
| 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, Paraguay highlighted the Treaty’s growing membership and called for continued efforts towards universalization. ‘The persistent threats of the use of nuclear weapons compel us not to slow down our work but to remain united, making a strong joint appeal to other countries to join this Treaty,’ it said.1
In the First Committee of the UN General Assembly in October 2025, Paraguay said that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is complemented and enhanced by the TPNW, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and nuclear-weapon-free zone treaties. It said that the declarations adopted at Meetings of States Parties to the TPNW ‘are clear examples of political commitment and of how we can work collectively toward the elimination of these weapons’.2
‘The TPNW marks a milestone in the evolution of international law, as it is based on the recognition of the human suffering caused by nuclear weapons and their catastrophic consequences, thus bringing a humanitarian approach to nuclear disarmament,’ it said. ‘We call upon States that are not party to the TPNW to sign and ratify it without delay.’
Recommendations
-
Paraguay should continue to encourage other states to adhere to the TPNW.
-
Paraguay should ensure that all the TPNW obligations are implemented domestically, through legal, administrative, and other necessary measures.