Many NGOs are participating in the May 4-15 Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) for the 2010 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) at the UN. The NPT is a cornerstone treaty underlying global non-proliferation efforts.

A number of organizations that work on nuclear weapons issues attended the PrepCom. Reaching Critical Will is following the events at the PrepCom, including posting government statements online. Physicians for Social Responsibility posted regular updates about the PrepCom here. Want to share your experiences at the PrepCom? Post a comment or link to your report back in the comments sections.

At this year’s PrepCom, US Assistant Secretary of State Rose Gottemoeller, the lead negotiator for an agreement to replace the expiring START treaty on nuclear weapons reductions with Russia, presented a message from President Obama at the UN:

I am pleased to send my best wishes for a successful meeting to all those gathered here today.

One
month ago in Prague, I reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). As I said then, the United
States believes that the NPT’s framework is sound: countries with
nuclear weapons will move toward disarmament, countries without nuclear
weapons will not acquire them, and all countries can have access to
peaceful nuclear energy.

While we agree on this framework, we
must strengthen the NPT to deal effectively with the threat of nuclear
weapons and nuclear terrorism. Action is needed to improve verification
and compliance with the NPT and to foster the responsible and widest
possible use of nuclear energy by all states.

To seek the peace
and security of a world free of nuclear weapons, in Prague, I committed
the United States to take a number of initial steps in this direction.
Through cooperation and shared understanding, I am hopeful that we will
strengthen the pillars of the NPT and restore confidence in its
credibility and effectiveness.

I recognize that differences
are inevitable and that NPT parties will not always view each element
of the treaty in the same way. But we must define ourselves not by our
differences, but by our readiness to pursue dialogue and hard work to
ensure the NPT continues to make an enduring contribution to
international peace and security.

Again, please accept my thanks
for your hard work on building a better, more secure future and my best
wishes for a successful meeting.

Gottemoeller's statement went on to affirm the commitment by the US and Russia to achieve stockpile reductions, seek US ratification of the CTBT and work with other countries to bring them on board, seek negotiation of a Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty, enhance nonproliferation efforts and host a Global Summit on Nuclear Security, and strengthen the NPT.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 at 3:24 am and is filed under Blog, Nuclear nonproliferation, Obama on Nuclear Weapons. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.