Press release
Statement by Minister Coveney on the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
"I profoundly regret that lengthy negotiations at the Tenth Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty have concluded without agreement. I regret that Russia, alone, prevented agreement on a balanced draft outcome document that was acceptable to all other states.
"At a moment when nuclear threats are urgent, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty must remain an essential element of international peace and security. The heightened nuclear risks arising from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and the threats to nuclear safety and security resulting from military activity in and near civilian nuclear facilities in Ukraine, are unprecedented.
"Despite the inability to agree an outcome document at this Review Conference, the Treaty continues to provide the framework for achieving a world without nuclear weapons. Promoting disarmament remains a signature foreign policy for Ireland. Ireland will continue to strive for full implementation of all commitments across the disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses pillars of the NPT.
"Ireland will continue to engage on these issues, including at the UN General Assembly and at the UN Security Council where Ireland is facilitator of the resolution on the Iran nuclear deal."
The NPT Review Conference is the primary forum for discussion of all issues related to nuclear weapons, including disarmament and non-proliferation. It meets every 5 years to review implementation of the Treaty and to agree forward-looking steps to be taken in the following 5 years to implement the Treaty.
The Tenth Review Conference was held in New York from 1 – 26 August 2022. Initially scheduled for April 2020, it has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister of State Hildegard Naughton attended the high-level segment of the Review Conference as Ireland’s Head of Delegation.
The origins of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) are closely connected with Ireland. In 1958 Ireland introduced the first of what became known as the 'Irish Resolutions' at the UN which eventually led to the NPT.
Russia broke consensus on the draft outcome of the Tenth Review Conference, objecting to the inclusion of text addressing nuclear safety and security at Ukrainian nuclear facilities.