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Pursuing Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament
At the recent Tenth Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, often referred to as the “NPT,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed how to best pursue the goals of nonproliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear technology.
First and foremost, the world must reject the spread of nuclear weapons, stressed Secretary Blinken, including through cooperation in the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency, also known by its acronym, the “IAEA”:
“That starts with demanding compliance by all NPT state parties, ensuring we have safeguards in place to monitor ourselves, strengthening the IAEA’s ability to implement those safeguards. We’re encouraging states to adopt a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and an Additional Protocol, which will represent together the most rigorous standard of verification.”
If any NPT state party does pursue nuclear weapons, we have to act as one to bring them back into compliance.
The United States is committed to pursuing a comprehensive risk reduction package, including with the People’s Republic of China and others.
“As we look to the future, we also have to strengthen agreements preventing nuclear conflict,” said Secretary Blinken.
“To cap the growth of nuclear arsenals anywhere in the world, we continue to support the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. We also stand ready to begin working with partners to restart negotiations this year on the long delayed Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty.”
Finally, the United States remains focused on making the benefits of the peaceful uses of nuclear technology accessible to all in a safe and secure manner. These technologies are helping the world to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and fight the climate crisis. We’re also supporting clean energy innovations – like small modular nuclear reactors – to combat climate change and ensure reliable access to nuclear power. President Biden recently announced $14 million in funding to support the deployment of small modular reactor power plants in Romania, which will provide zero-emissions nuclear energy.
As we work together across the three pillars of the NPT, we build upon the efforts of so many who have come before us. That has to remain the charge for each of us, said Secretary Blinken, to escape the logic of fear and live up to our responsibility to prevent nuclear conflict, to reduce nuclear weapons, to secure nuclear technologies, to advance peace and progress around the world.