Rhys Munro’s account of the Parliamentarian’s Conference at the 3rd Meeting of the States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. These parliamentarians (including Bill Kidd MSP) are from states which have not yet joined the Treaty.

As you walk into Conference Room 8 in the basement of the UN Headquarters, the first thing that gets you is the grandeur. It isn’t a big room, but the intricately decorated hard-wood walls and dim lighting create an inexplicable atmosphere. It truly does feel like a room where things get done. I had the pleasure of being in this room while attending the Parliamentarians for the TPNW side event on Monday, March 3rd.

While it was a 3 hour session (1:15-4:15), I was only able to attend the first hour, as after opening speeches the room was open only to parliamentarians their staff.

We first heard a speech discussing general geopolitics; how global conflicts are encouraging nuclear deterrence and hostile posturing. Of course, the doomsday clock was mentioned – sitting at 89 seconds to midnight, it is a powerful reminder of the threat nuclear weapons continue to pose.

The parliamentarians then discussed the threat of new weapon technologies, such as hypersonic missiles and AI, and how they can be used in nuclear delivery, adding a devastating new layer to an already catastrophic event.

Domestic policies were also discussed, in the 2022 Biden Administration’s Nuclear Posture Review, the American Government began looking at including non-nuclear weapons in their deterrent arsenal, which the speaker argued may be a good thing – it could highlight America is shifting away from a nuclear arsenal.

While this is a very, very small step, the speaker highlighted we can find hope elsewhere. Despite Russia and Israel both threatening to deploy nuclear weapons in war, neither has done so. The speaker emphasised that while this could show a waning appetite for the nuclear deterrent, it absolutely should not be taken as a success. Just because the weapons haven’t been used yet doesn’t mean they won’t ever, and the simple threat of possessing the bomb continues to push the world to catastrophe.

We then heard a celebration of New Zealand, who’s support of the TPNW has prompted debate in their Parliament, as well as encouraging other countries to sign, ratify and adhere to the TPNW.

There was a call for all nations and their parliamentarians to find the political will to pursue disarmament. As well as this, it was suggested that parliamentarians should continue to campaign for a Ministry of Disarmament, an idea that could be paramount for tangible nuclear disarmament progress.

Melissa Parke (Executive Director of ICAN), emphasises that the presence of parliamentarians here speaks volumes. She stated the progress is accelerating, there is now an overwhelming support for the TPNW at the local and grassroots level.

“Public desire for nuclear disarmament is higher than ever” – Melissa Parke, speaking on the growing grassroots support for the TPNW

She then highlighted that the entire system built to limit nuclear proliferation and “protect” us is faltering. As the world becomes increasingly multipolar, making it impossible to regulate these weapons. Therefore, multinational institutions need new champions, who can keep them up to date with this rapidly changing world.

We then heard that nuclear weapons are inherently intersectional, their threat intersects with gender, ecology, indigenous lands and rights to name a few. Because of this intersectionality, it was emphasised that parliamentarians are crucial in the campaign for nuclear disarmament, as they can provide a political bridge between these issues.

We also heard a speech from Masako Wada, who represented Nihon Hidyanko during its phone call with the Nobel Committee. 

She emphasised that public conscience is essential in in achieving nuclear disarmament, a statement echoed by the Ambassador for Kazakhstan, who emphasised that public engagement is also vital.

It was after this that I was asked to leave, so the parliamentarians could have a private discussion. The enormity of this meeting was evident, the fact that politicians not only came, but cared speaks volumes on the successes of the TPNW, and ICAN.

In this room I saw the best of Politics; parliamentarians coming from across the world and political spectrum working together to protect their constituents, their country, and our world from the continuing threat of nuclear weapons.