Majority of the world now signed on to TPNW

With the ratification on Friday by Ghana and the signature of Kyrgyzstan, a majority of the world’s countries are now in support of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). 

Membership of the TPNW has now reached 74 States Parties, plus a further 25 signatories, bringing the total number of states that have taken TPNW treaty actions to 99.  That means that a global majority of countries around the world have taken the significant step to reject nuclear weapons forever. Much of this has come as a result of consistent campaigning by representatives from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 for securing the Treaty.

Theodora Williams Anti, from ICAN Partner Organization Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) said:

“Ghana’s ratification of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is a proud moment for our nation and a powerful statement to Africa and the world. By joining the majority of states in rejecting these weapons of mass destruction, Ghana affirms its unwavering commitment to peace, human security, and the protection of future generations. This milestone reminds us that true strength lies not in the threat of annihilation, but in the courage to choose dialogue, cooperation, and a safer world for all.”

ICAN and other affiliated groups have campaigned across the world to broaden support of the treaty. Civil society activists have educated, argued, advocated, and informed politicians and governments to achieve this landmark majority.

Reaching global majority is a significant milestone for the TPNW, which is a relatively young treaty as it was negotiated less than a decade ago, and only came into force in January 2021.

This leaves the pro-nuclear weapons countries in a distinct minority. Of the 10 largest countries in the world by population, five are TPNW states parties or signatories: Indonesia, Nigeria, Brazil, Bangladesh and Mexico.

(Headline photo: ICAN)