FIRST PHASE OF NEGOTIATIONS
UN conference pursues global nuclear weapons ban
A high number of countries are interested in saying we have to break the deadlock
More than 100 countries were to launch the first UN talks on a global nuclear weapons ban on Monday despite objections from major nuclear powers. A total of 123 UN members announced in October that they would launch the UN conference to negotiate a legally binding nuclear ban treaty, even as most of the world’s declared and undeclared nuclear powers voted against the talks. Britain, France, Israel, Russia and the US voted no. China, India and Pakistan abstained. Even Japan — the only country to have suffered nuclear attacks, in 1945 — voted against the talks, saying the lack of consensus over the negotiations could undermine progress on effective nuclear disarmament. The countries leading the effort include Austria, Ireland, Mexico, Brazil, SA and Sweden. Hundreds of NGOs back their efforts. They say the threat of nuclear disaster is growing, thanks to mounting tensions fanned by North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme and an unpredictable new administration in Washington. Supporter...
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