Zambia
Zambia is currently examining the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) with a view to ratifying it. In May 2024, representatives from the various government ministries in Zambia, including defence, foreign affairs, and internal security, participated in a workshop to advance Zambia’s ratification process for the Treaty.1
TPNW Status
| Key weapons of mass destruction treaties | ||
|---|---|---|
| NUCLEAR WEAPONS | ||
| Party to the TPNW | No (Signed 2019) | |
| Party to the NPT | Yes (Acceded 1991) | |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes (Ratified 2006) | |
| Party to an NWFZ | Yes (Ratified 2010, Pelindaba) | |
| CSA with the IAEA | Yes (In force 1994) | |
| AP with the IAEA | No (Signed 2009) | |
| BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS | ||
| Party to the BWC | Yes (Acceded 2008) | |
| Party to the CWC | Yes (Ratified 2001) | |
| 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 (observer) |
| Participated in 2MSP (2023) | No |
| Participated in 1MSP (2022) | No |
| Average MSP delegation size (% women) | 2 (0%) |
| Adoption of TPNW (7 July 2017) | Did not vote |
| Participated in TPNW negotiations (2017) | Yes |
| Negotiation mandate (A/RES/71/258) | Did not vote |
| Fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Nuclear facilities | No |
| Fissile material production | No |
| HEU stocks | No |
| Plutonium stocks | No |
| SQP with the IAEA | Yes (Revised) |
Latest developments
Zambia attended the Third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in March 2025 as an observer. It did not make a statement.
Speaking at a high-level event on 26 September 2025 to mark the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Zambia, Mulambo Haimbe, said: ‘Zambia stands ready to work with all [UN] member States, regional organizations, and civil society to revitalize the global disarmament architecture, ensure accountability, and uphold the international legal norm against nuclear weapons.’2
In the First Committee of the UN General Assembly in October 2025, Zambia expressed deep concern that, ‘despite long-standing global commitments, progress towards nuclear disarmament continues to lag behind expectations’. It reiterated its call for the full and effective implementation of Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the universalization of the TPNW.3
Recommendations
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Zambia should urgently ratify the TPNW.
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Zambia should bring into force its Additional Protocol (AP) with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and upgrade to a modified Small Quantities Protocol (SQP).