World Threatened with More Nuclear Arms as Modernization of Arsenals Continues

By Thalif Deen

UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — The growing modernization of the world’s nuclear arsenal is threatening an increase of deadly weapons in the not-too-distant future.

The grim prediction comes from the latest Yearbook released June 13 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) 2022.

One of the key findings is that despite a marginal decrease in the number of nuclear warheads in 2021, nuclear arsenals are expected to grow over the coming decade. [2022-06-13-06] JAPANESE TEXT VERSION PDF

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A Side Event at TPNW Conference Focusses on Nuclear Weapons Victims

By Aurora Weiss

VIENNA (IDN) — “Today is a historic moment,” are the words with which the First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) opened in Vienna on June 21. Representatives of the international community, government, civil society and academia gathered here to put into effect the historic Treaty and to shape the future of nuclear disarmament.

Regardless of national interests or belief systems, there is meanwhile agreement that what was considered illusory a decade ago, has become a stark reality. The big powers are in possession of some of the most catastrophic nuclear weapons ever created. [2022-06-21-08] JAPANESE TEXT VERSION PDF

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Faith Communities Greet First Nuclear Weapons Ban Conference

By IDN-INPS Team

VIENNA (IDN) — Faith communities “from a diversity of traditions and located all over the world” have joined together “with one voice to mark” the first meeting of the States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).”

In a ‘Joint Interfaith Statement’ issued on June 21 they “welcome this historic occasion and celebrate this milestone that moves us closer to a world without nuclear weapons”. The Statement urges the States Parties of the TPNW to heed the voices of the world’s hibakusha.[2022-06-22]

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ICRC Accentuates the Vital Importance of Nuclear Disarmament

Following are excerpts from the text of ICRC President Peter Maurer’s statement at the TPNW MSP1 on February 21, 2022.

VIENNA (IDN) — A decade ago, this may have seemed illusory. Today, a global, unequivocal, comprehensive prohibition of nuclear weapons—the most catastrophic weapons ever created—is a reality. We owe this reality to the tireless efforts of many:[2022-06-23]

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SGI Amplifies Voices of Youth, Faith Communities and Nuclear Victims

By IDN-INPS Team

VIENNA | TOKYO (IDN) — From June 21–23, at the historic First Meeting of States Parties (1MSP) to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), held in Vienna, Austria, the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) joined civil society groups calling for universalization of the Treaty, cohosting workshops highlighting perspectives of affected communities and youth.

Hirotsugu Terasaki, SGI Director General of Peace and Global Issues, commented, “At this time of existential threat, all who gathered here have categorically asserted that nuclear weapons are morally and legally unacceptable. We welcome the Vienna Declaration and Action Plan and are determined to continue our efforts to strengthen the effectiveness of this groundbreaking Treaty.”[2022-06-24]

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World Threatened with More Nuclear Arms as Modernization of Arsenals Continues

核兵器の近代化が進む中、さらなる核兵器の脅威にさらされる世界

【国連IDN＝タリフ・ディーン】

世界で進む核兵器の近代化により、そう遠くない未来に致死的な兵器が増加する恐れがある。

この厳しい予測は、ストックホルム国際平和研究所（SIPRI）が６月１３日に発表した最新のシプリ年鑑（SIPRI Yearbook 2022）によるものである。

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Let’s Eliminate Nuclear Weapons, Before They Eliminate Us

By Thalif Deen

UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — When UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) on the successful conclusion of their first meeting in Vienna, his warning was dead on target.

“Let’s eliminate these weapons before they eliminate us,” he said pointing out that nuclear weapons are a deadly reminder of countries’ inability to solve problems through dialogue and collaboration. [2022-06-21-09] JAPANESE TEXT VERSION PDF

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A Side Event at TPNW Conference Focusses on Nuclear Weapons Victims

｜核兵器禁止条約締約国会議｜核兵器の被害者めぐる関連行事が開かれる

【ウィーンIDN＝オーロラ・ワイス】

「今日は歴史的な瞬間だ」―オーストリア・ウィーンで６月２１日に開幕した「核兵器禁止（核禁）条約」の第１回締約国会議はこのような言葉で始まった。国際社会や各国政府、市民社会、学界の代表らが、この歴史的な条約に効力を持たせ、核軍縮の未来を形づくっていくためにここに集った。

国益や信条体系の違いはあれども、１０年前には幻想であったものが今や厳然たる事実になったという認識では一致している。他方で、これまでに生み出された最も壊滅的な核兵器のほとんどを、一部の大国だけが保有しているという事実も変わらない。

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Second Comprehensive Study on NFWZs Is Needed

｜視点｜非核兵器地帯に関する第二の包括的な研究が必要（ジャルガルサイハン・エンクサイハンNGO「ブルーバナー」代表、元モンゴル国連大使）

【ウランバートルIDN＝ジャルガルサイハン・エンクサイハン】

８月の核不拡散条約第１０回再検討会議を前にして、モンゴルの首都ウランバートルで非核兵器地帯の課題と今後に関して意見を交換するNGO会議が開かれた。非核兵器地帯は、不拡散と核軍縮に資する非核兵器国の重要な実践的、地域的措置として認識されているものである。

核兵器の脅威とその拡散を予防する最も効果的な方法は核兵器の廃絶であるという意見で参加者らは一致した。核兵器禁止条約の発効は、核兵器をさらに非正当化し、核兵器廃絶に向けたグローバルな規範を強化する法的枠組みを提供するものであるという見解を参加者は強調した。しかし、それだけでは不十分だ。今日の急速に変化する地政学的な情勢の下で、非核兵器地帯はより大きく、より積極的な役割を果たす必要がある。非核兵器地帯の概念と実践は巨大かつ建設的な可能性を秘めているからだ。

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Let’s Eliminate Nuclear Weapons, Before They Eliminate Us

By Thalif Deen

UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — When UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) on the successful conclusion of their first meeting in Vienna, his warning was dead on target.

“Let’s eliminate these weapons before they eliminate us,” he said pointing out that nuclear weapons are a deadly reminder of countries’ inability to solve problems through dialogue and collaboration. [2022-07-06-09] JAPANESE TEXT VERSION PDF

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