Timor-Leste
In a statement marking the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on 26 September 2023, Timor-Leste warned that ‘insecurity is growing in the face of the rising threat of nuclear war’. It said that it ratified the TPNW and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in 2022 as an expression of its commitment to the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world.[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 |
| 1MSP delegation size (% women) | 2 (0%) |
| 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 | No |
| Party to the NPT | Yes (Acceded 2003) |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes (Ratified 2022) |
| Party to the BWC | Yes (Acceded 2003) |
| Party to the CWC | Yes (Acceded 2003) |
| IAEA safeguards and fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Safeguards agreement | Yes (25 Sep 2024) |
| TPNW Art 3(2) deadline | 18 Mar 2024 (Met 24 Sep 2024) |
| Small Quantities Protocol | Yes (Modified) |
| Additional Protocol | Yes |
| Enrichment facilities/reprocessing plants | No |
| HEU stocks | No |
| Plutonium stocks | No |
Latest developments
In the First Committee of the UN General Assembly in October 2023, Timor-Leste reiterated its ‘concern on the catastrophic humanitarian impact from the use of nuclear weapons’ and welcomed the convening of the First Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW (1MSP) in 2022, which ‘was able to lay a solid foundation in complementing and strengthening the NPT’.2
Timor-Leste participated in the Second Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW (2MSP) in November and December 2023 but did not make a statement.
In accordance with Article 2 of the TPNW, Timor-Leste submitted a declaration to the UN Secretary-General on 17 March 2023 confirming that it does not own, possess or control nuclear weapons, has never done so, and does not host any other State’s nuclear weapons on its territory.3 It also took steps in 2023 towards bringing into force its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol with the IAEA.4
Timor-Leste 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’.5
Recommendations
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Timor-Leste should continue to encourage other states to adhere to the TPNW.
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Timor-Leste should ensure that all the TPNW obligations are implemented domestically, through legal, administrative, and other necessary measures.
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Timor-Leste should bring into force its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol with the IAEA.