Philippines
The Philippines 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. It is one of a number of States Parties to the TPNW that cooperate militarily with a nuclear-armed State while ensuring compliance with the prohibitions set out in Article 1 of the Treaty.
TPNW Status
| Key weapons of mass destruction treaties | ||
|---|---|---|
| NUCLEAR WEAPONS | ||
| Party to the TPNW | Yes (Ratified 2021) | |
| Party to the NPT | Yes (Ratified 1972) | |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes (Ratified 2001) | |
| Party to an NWFZ | Yes (Ratified 2001, Bangkok) | |
| CSA with the IAEA | Yes (In force 1974) | |
| AP with the IAEA | Yes (In force 2010) | |
| BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS | ||
| Party to the BWC | Yes (Ratified 1973) | |
| Party to the CWC | Yes (Ratified 1996) | |
| 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) | 7 (46%) |
| 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 | Yes |
| Fissile material production | No |
| HEU stocks | Cleared |
| Plutonium stocks | No |
| SQP with the IAEA | No |
Latest developments
At the Third Meeting of States Parties (3MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in March 2025, the Philippines reaffirmed its ‘unwavering commitment’ to the Treaty. ‘We gather at a critical moment where the universalization of the TPNW has never been more urgent,’ it said.1
Together with Malaysia, the Philippines was appointed as a co-chair of the TPNW’s informal working group on the implementation of Article 4, ‘in particular work related to the future designation of a competent international authority or authorities’ that would verify the elimination of nuclear-weapon programmes.
At the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Preparatory Committee meeting in May 2025, the Philippines expressed concern that ‘a troubling departure from the humanitarian focus of the nuclear weapon discourse is gaining momentum with unsettling intensity’, referring in particular to the normalization of tactical nuclear weapons and nuclear deterrence posturing.2
At a high-level event on 26 September 2025 marking the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, the Philippines described itself as a ‘proud State Party’ to the TPNW and underscored ‘its conviction that nuclear weapons have no place in national or collective security doctrines’. ‘The TPNW, together with the NPT and nuclear-weapon-free zones, especially the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, strengthen the global normative framework delegitimizing nuclear weapons,’ it added.3
In the First Committee of the UN General Assembly in October 2025, the Philippines said: ‘The [TPNW] complements the NPT by reinforcing the norm against nuclear arms. With 99 countries now supporting it, the majority of States reject the legitimacy of these weapons. We urge all States to accede to the Treaty.’4
The Philippines co-sponsored the 2025 UN General Assembly resolution on the TPNW, which welcomed the Treaty’s entry into force and 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’.5
Recommendations
-
The Philippines should continue to encourage other states to adhere to the TPNW.
-
The Philippines should ensure that all the TPNW obligations are implemented domestically, through legal, administrative, and other necessary measures.