Zambia
Zambia's Ministry of Defence indicated in November 2021 that the government would pursue ratification of the TPNW early in 2022. Together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it has prepared a ratification memorandum. Action by the Parliament is still pending.[1]
| TPNW Article 1(1) prohibitions: Compliance in 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (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 | |
|---|---|
| 2021 UNGA resolution on TPNW | |
| 2020 UNGA resolution on TPNW | |
| 2019 UNGA resolution on TPNW | Voted yes |
| 2018 UNGA resolution on TPNW | Voted yes |
| Participated in TPNW negotiations | Yes |
| Share of women in TPNW negotiations | 33% |
| Vote on adoption of treaty text | Did not vote |
| Adoption of TPNW (7 July 2017) | Did not vote |
| IAEA safeguards and fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Safeguards Agreement | Yes |
| TPNW Art 3(2) deadline | N/A |
| Small Quantities Protocol | Yes (Original) |
| Additional Protocol | No (Signed 2009) |
| Fissile material production facilities | No |
| Highly enriched uranium stocks | No |
| Plutonium stocks (mil/civ) | No/No |
| Related treaties and regimes | |
|---|---|
| Party to the BWC | Yes |
| Party to the CWC | Yes |
| Party to the PTBT | Yes |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes |
| Party to the NPT | Yes |
| Party to a NWFZ | Yes (Pelindaba) |
| Member of the CD | No |
Latest developments
In a statement in the general debate of the 2021 UN General Assembly, the President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, said: 'In the quest for promoting global peace and security, Zambia notes with satisfaction the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which became operative on 22 January 2021. The entry into force of the TPNW is a tangible feat towards advancing the cause of nuclear disarmament on the international stage. Zambia encourages other states that are yet to ratify the TPNW to come on board so that we can continue making advances towards achieving our aspirations towards eradicating nuclear weapons.'2
Zambia was one of the co-sponsors of the 2021 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'.3
Recommendations
- Zambia should urgently ratify the TPNW.
- Zambia should bring into force its Additional Protocol with the IAEA, and upgrade to a Modified Small Quantities Protocol.
1) Communications from the Ministry of Defence of Zambia to ICAN, 23 November 2021.