Statement by Canada to the Second Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons 

Check against delivery.

22 July, 2024 - Geneva, Switzerland

Delivered by H.E. Ms. Leslie Norton, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations in Geneva and to the Conference on Disarmament 

Chair, colleagues,

Over the coming days, we will hear many statements, reiterating long-standing policies and positions.

Canada’s positions are well known:

• We emphasise the special responsibility and obligations of the Nuclear-Weapon States under Article VI.
• We acknowledge the catastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequences of nuclear weapons use and testing.
• We support step-by-step nuclear disarmament, a treaty on fissile material for nuclear weapons, the CTBT, nuclear-weapons-free-zones, disarmament verification, risk reduction, transparency and accountability, safeguards compliance, the Additional Protocol, export controls, and access to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
• We deplore Russia's ongoing reckless nuclear threats and actions in the context of their war of aggression in Ukraine, and the nuclear programmes of North Korea and Iran, and we are very concerned about China's nuclear arsenal expansion.

Summarising these positions does not minimise their importance, nor should any State doubt Canada’s resolve to uphold international law and hold violators accountable.

Rather, I’d like to focus on how we might revitalise the Treaty and its processes.

For fifty-four years, the NPT has been hailed as the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime.

In masonry, the cornerstone sets the orientation for all other stones in the structure. But, over time, many have become ceremonial and decorative.

We must not allow this to happen to the NPT.

We affirm the Treaty's pivotal role in curbing nuclear proliferation, promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and advancing disarmament.

It is crucial that we sustain the NPT as a robust and effective instrument and continue to strive to achieve its goals.

Canada recognises the challenges facing the NPT and its operational framework. The ongoing quest for security through disarmament persists amid a fast-changing global security landscape, demanding adaptation and increased effectiveness.

Embracing diverse perspectives, especially those of women, minorities, and under-represented groups, will be key to these efforts.

In addressing these challenges, Canada fully aligns itself with the statements and efforts of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative, the Stockholm Initiative, and the Vienna Group of 10.

These collaborations, such as those of the New Agenda Coalition and others, have yielded practical recommendations to strengthen the NPT’s three mutually reinforcing pillars, and contribute to the Treaty's validity, primacy, and implementation.

Examples include:

• the Stockholm Initiative’s “stepping stones” and risk reduction package;
• the NPDI’s “Landing-Zone” paper and reporting template;
• the Vienna Group of 10’s paper on “Addressing Vienna issues”; and
• last year’s convening of the Working Group on Strengthening the Review Process.

It is in our collective interest to build upon these contributions.

We must find ways to depoliticise and focus the NPT process, and not allow it to be held hostage by broader geopolitical crises, while at the same time calling out violations of its articles and spirit.

We cannot normalise bad faith efforts to weaponise consensus, particularly on matters of process.

And, at the core of the review process, we must demonstrate our commitment to build trust through dialogue and transparency, essential for disarmament and greater accountability. We urge all states, particularly the nuclear-weapon States, to submit reports using the template proposed by the NPDI.

Recognizing the challenges of analyzing these reports, the NPDI and others have proposed an independent publication to monitor and analyse the implementation of NPT commitments.

I am therefore pleased to announce that Canada and the Netherlands will fund the independent think-tank BASIC to develop an objective NPT Monitor and Nuclear Transparency Index, akin to existing publications such as the ATT Monitor and Land Mine Ban Monitor.

Canada hopes that this contribution will inform much needed discussions on NPT implementation. We look forward to providing additional details and support from others during this meeting.

Chair,

Canada reaffirms that work towards nuclear disarmament must be complemented by non-proliferation efforts and combatting the risks posed by states in non-compliance with their safeguards obligations.

Adherence to these pillars is crucial to the institutional framework for supporting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Canada will continue to play an active, constructive role and we look forward to a successful session.