Mayors for Peace welcome entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

On January 22, 2021, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons adopted by the United Nations in 2017 comes into force. Nuclear weapons are now outlawed and banned under international law.

The organization Mayors for Peace, a global alliance of cities led by Hiroshima with around 8,000 members, including 700 cities in Germany, welcomes the entry into force of the treaty. As a sign of their support for this special event, a number of German member cities are raising the Mayors for Peace flag today (22.01.2021). Cities with their important infrastructure and large populations are still considered priority targets in the event of a nuclear attack.

Jena's Lord Mayor Thomas Nitzsche:

As a member of Mayors for Peace, the city expressly welcomes the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. It is a milestone on the way to Global Zero, a world without nuclear weapons. Even if other challenges are currently in the foreground: It is necessary to talk about nuclear disarmament and arms control. After all, the humanitarian consequences of the use of nuclear weapons are catastrophic.

It is estimated that the nuclear powers still have around 13,400 nuclear weapons. The nuclear weapons states are currently investing massively in the modernization and operational capability of their nuclear arsenals. Agreements on nuclear disarmament - such as the INF Treaty - have been terminated without being replaced by a follow-up treaty.

Background

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) was adopted by the United Nations on July 7, 2017 by 122 votes and was opened for signature on September 20. Following the 50th ratification on 24.10.2020, the treaty will enter into force on 22.01.2021 in accordance with its Article 15 (1). As of 08.01.2021, 51 states have ratified it and 86 have signed it. The nuclear powers have not joined the treaty. Germany is not a party either.

In the treaty, which is binding under international law, the signatories undertake "never, under any circumstances" to develop, manufacture, acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons. In addition, the member states undertake to provide comprehensive assistance to persons affected by the testing or use of nuclear weapons and to take appropriate measures to clean up contaminated areas on their territory. Additional states may join the treaty even after it has entered into force.

The treaty, which was initiated by civil society, is based on the activities of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017. Mayors for Peace is one of ICAN's approximately 500 partner organizations.

Further information and the original text of the treaty can be found here.

Who are the Mayors for Peace?

The Mayors for Peace organization was founded in 1982 by the mayor of Hiroshima. The worldwide network of cities is primarily committed to the abolition of nuclear weapons, but also addresses current issues in order to discuss ways of peaceful coexistence. More than 8,000 cities belong to the network, including 700 cities in Germany. Jena has been a member of Mayors for Peace since 2005.