Trinidad and Tobago
In a statement marking the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on 26 September 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, Amery Browne, noted the ‘active and influential role’ played by member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in the TPNW’s adoption and entry into force. He promised that Trinidad and Tobago would ‘continue its active engagement’ in TPNW processes.[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 |
| 2MSP delegation size (% women) | 4 (50%) |
| 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 1970, Tlatelolco) |
| Party to the NPT | Yes (Ratified 1986) |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes (Ratified 2010) |
| Party to the BWC | Yes (Acceded 2007) |
| Party to the CWC | Yes (Acceded 1997) |
| IAEA safeguards and fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Safeguards agreement | Yes (4 Nov 1992) |
| TPNW Art 3(2) deadline | N/A |
| Small Quantities Protocol | Yes (Original) |
| Additional Protocol | No |
| Enrichment facilities/reprocessing plants | No |
| HEU stocks | No |
| Plutonium stocks | No |
Latest developments
Trinidad and Tobago participated in the Second Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW (2MSP) in November and December 2023, where it acknowledged ‘the important work undertaken during the intersessional period and the progress towards implementation of the Vienna Action Plan’. ‘The increasingly volatile international security environment has further underscored the importance and relevance of the TPNW,’ it said.2
Trinidad and Tobago also expressed grave concern at the erosion of critical disarmament and arms control instruments and ‘the ratcheting up of tensions and the ongoing threat of nuclear blackmail’. It acknowledged ‘the dedication and commitment of civil society, whose resolve, determination and unwavering support has been instrumental in getting us to this stage of the TPNW process’.3
Trinidad and Tobago 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’.4
Recommendations
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Trinidad and Tobago should continue to encourage other states to adhere to the TPNW.
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Trinidad and Tobago should ensure that all the TPNW obligations are implemented domestically, through legal, administrative, and other necessary measures.
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Trinidad and Tobago should conclude and bring into force an Additional Protocol with the IAEA, and upgrade to a modified Small Quantities Protocol.