Kazakhstan has commenced its chairmanship at the Third Conference of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, El.kz cites Kazakh FM.
In his address, the conference president, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Akan Rakhmetullin, highlighted that despite the complex international situation, the number of supporters advocating for the total elimination of nuclear arsenals and the creation of a world free from nuclear threats continues to grow. He noted that this year marks 80 years since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and stressed the collective belief in the necessity of taking measures to ensure that such a tragedy never occurs again.
Within the framework of the Treaty, Kazakhstan places particular emphasis on providing support to victims of nuclear testing, both within the country and in other regions of the world. In this regard, efforts to establish an International Fund to assist affected individuals and restore the environment have been acknowledged.
The United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, welcomed Kazakhstan’s leadership of the conference, recognizing the country’s substantial contribution to the global nuclear disarmament process.
Over the course of the week, the conference will host thematic debates featuring leading international experts in nuclear disarmament, along with comprehensive discussions on future directions of work. The debates will involve not only government representatives but also members of civil society, youth organizations, and survivors of nuclear testing from numerous countries, including Kazakhstan.
At the conclusion of the forum, participants intend to adopt a political declaration and approve a series of decisions addressing the most pressing issues related to the Treaty’s implementation. The conference is attended by 75 delegations from Treaty member states and observer nations, as well as more than 150 civil society and non-governmental organizations from across the globe.