11th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons 2026 – Statement by Canada – Main Committee I

New York, April 30, 2026

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Delivered by Thomas Fetz, Deputy Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament

Chair,

Canada remains fully committed to the universalization and full implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We expect commitments made under past review cycles to be respected. It is our view that not only despite, but also because of, the difficult international security environment, we need to make progress on nuclear disarmament and reduce the risk of use of a nuclear weapon, whether by design, miscalculation, misunderstanding or accident.

Canada calls on nuclear-weapon States, in particular the three states holding the largest arsenals, to engage in negotiations on nuclear disarmament and risk reduction. We also call on the DPRK to dismantle its nuclear weapons program immediately and return to compliance with the NPT. Finally, we strongly encourage nuclear-armed states outside the NPT framework to dismantle and eliminate their nuclear weapons and join the NPT as non-nuclear weapon States.

Canada continues to support the practical proposals towards nuclear disarmament, strategic stability and risk reduction advanced by the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative and the Stockholm Initiative. We endorse the working papers produced by these groups and their joint statements.

Chair,

The CTBT remains a central element of the global disarmament and non-proliferation regime, yet its continued effectiveness depends on sustained political commitment. Entry into force remains a priority for Canada. The CTBTO’s International Monitoring System consistently demonstrates its utility in detecting military and other seismic activities, contributing significantly to transparency and confidence. With the entry into force of the CTBT, the international community will benefit from additional confidence building and verification tools available under the treaty to reinforce the norm against nuclear explosive testing, collect evidence relevant to potential treaty violations, and assist in the irreversible elimination of nuclear weapons. In the meantime, we call on states to uphold and maintain moratoriums against nuclear explosive testing, in line with the zero-yield standard.

Canada also supports the immediate commencement of negotiations on a treaty on fissile material for nuclear weapons, without preconditions. The preparatory groundwork has long been completed and all relevant substantive issues—including scope—can and should be addressed at the negotiating table. In the meantime, Canada calls for the application of moratoriums against the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons.

Finally, we believe that increased transparency and accountability for the implementation of the NPT can play a useful role in advancing nuclear disarmament and strategic stability. We call on nuclear-weapon states, particularly those who have not done so already, to enhance their transparency on nuclear arsenals, capabilities, and doctrines and to engage in interactive discussions of their national reports as part of NPT review cycles.

Thank you, Chair.