Next week, member states and civil society will come together at the UN in New York for the third Meeting of States Parties (3MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons or TPNW. This Treaty represents a historic milestone in the global fight for disarmament. Adopted in 2017 and entering into force in 2021, it is the first legally binding international agreement to comprehensively ban nuclear weapons, reinforcing the urgency of eliminating them entirely. Despite resistance from nuclear-armed states and their allies, the TPNW continues to gain momentum, thanks to the persistent efforts of civil society organizations, activist networks, and progressive institutions.
The TPNW emerged from growing international concern over the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and the lack of progress in nuclear disarmament under existing frameworks. Despite the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) of 1968, which aimed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament, the five recognized nuclear-weapon states (the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom) have made limited progress in reducing their arsenals. Meanwhile, other states, such as Israel, India, Pakistan, and North Korea, have developed nuclear capabilities outside the NPT framework.
The humanitarian initiative, led by non-nuclear-weapon states and civil society organizations, played a key role in the creation of the TPNW. This movement emphasized the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons use, including massive loss of life, long-term environmental damage, and severe health impacts.
The TPNW categorically prohibits the development, testing, production, possession, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons. It also establishes a framework for victim assistance and environmental remediation, acknowledging the humanitarian and environmental devastation caused by nuclear weapons testing and use. Unlike the NPT, which primarily focused on arms control between nuclear-armed states, the TPNW shifts the power dynamic by centering non-nuclear states and civil society in the conversation on nuclear abolition.
The TPNW represents a significant step forward in the global effort to eliminate nuclear weapons. Its adoption reflects a growing recognition of the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons and the moral imperative to prevent their use. By establishing a clear legal norm against nuclear weapons, the TPNW challenges the legitimacy of these weapons and undermines the doctrine of nuclear deterrence, which has long been used to justify their possession.
The treaty also empowers non-nuclear-weapon states and civil society to play a more active role in global disarmament efforts. By shifting the focus from state security to human security, the TPNW aligns with broader trends in international law and policy that prioritize the protection of individuals and communities. This approach resonates particularly with states in the Global South, which have historically borne the brunt of nuclear testing and its consequences.
However, the road to full implementation remains steep. One major obstacle is the lack of participation by nuclear-weapon states and their allies. As of 2025, none of the nine nuclear-armed states have joined the treaty. Many of these states argue that the TPNW undermines the NPT and fails to address the security concerns that underpin nuclear deterrence. Critics also contend that the TPNW lacks robust verification and enforcement mechanisms. While the treaty includes provisions for disarmament and verification, it does not establish a dedicated international body to oversee compliance. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of the treaty in achieving its objectives.
Meanwhile, countries in the Global South, historically affected by nuclear testing and colonial exploitation, have emerged as leading advocates for the TPNW, emphasizing the humanitarian necessity of disarmament.
To overcome these challenges, the TPNW must be integrated into broader disarmament efforts and supported by a diverse coalition of states, civil society organizations, and international institutions. The success of the TPNW depends on continued pressure from civil society and progressive governments.
At RLS-NYC, we work alongside movements and organizations dedicated to nuclear abolition, peace, and justice. Our engagement with the TPNW is grounded in our broader commitment to challenging militarism, confronting the legacies of colonialism, and promoting alternative security paradigms that prioritize human needs over military dominance. This year, we are partnering with the German branch of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)—a global civil society coalition that spearheaded the campaign to adopt the Treaty—to bring a youth delegation from Germany and the Global South to New York to take part in the discussions at the 3MSP.
The objective of this delegation is to raise awareness about nuclear injustice and the inherent violence related to uranium mining, nuclear weapons testing, and the global threat of nuclear deterrence. We hope to work together to shift political discourse on nuclear weapons by supporting progressive policy dialogues and help make the case for why nuclear weapons must be abolished.
As we move toward the treaty’s next Meeting of States Parties, RLS-NYC remains committed to expanding its efforts to bridge the gap between global disarmament advocacy and local movements. The struggle for nuclear abolition is not just about eliminating weapons: it is about dismantling the systems of power that sustain them, from militarism to capitalism to racial injustice.
Mariana Fernández is a project manager at RLS–NYC focusing on peace and security, international relations, and nuclear abolition.
Top photo: ICAN
