ITUC-Asia Pacific calls on governments to take immediate action toward nuclear disarmament following the conclusion of the Third Meeting of the States Parties (3MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 3-7 March 2025.
With escalating global instability — marked by Russia’s threat of nuclear use and France’s proposal to extend its nuclear deterrence to Europe, the risk of nuclear conflict continues to pose existential threat to humanity.
In his regard, ITUC-Asia Pacific welcomes the declaration’s recognition that “the only guarantee against the use of nuclear weapons is their total elimination” and the call for urgent action to “rebuild dialogue, restore confidence and trust, recommit to nuclear disarmament, and prevent a return to nuclear brinkmanship with catastrophic consequences for all humankind.”
Shoya Yoshida, General Secretary of ITUC-Asia Pacific, emphasised the critical need for immediate action, stating:
“Nuclear weapons heighten global tensions and bring humanity closer to irreversible destruction. Without genuine dialogue and a firm commitment to disarmament, the world risks sliding back into an era of nuclear escalation with devastating consequences. Governments must act now to eliminate these weapons and build a future based on peace and collective security.”
ITUC-Asia Pacific expresses deep concern over the refusal to engage in the 3MSP of nuclear-armed countries that oppose the Treaty, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members states, and Japan, which relies on the U.S “nuclear umbrella.” Their absence, Shoya Yoshida noted, “only deepens the divide between those that have ratified the TPNW and those who persist in a failed and dangerous policy of nuclear deterrence.”
The meeting also advanced discussions on critical next steps, including the first review conference on the operation of the TPNW, scheduled for 30 November – 4 December 2026, at the United Nations Headquarters. Additionally, efforts will continue toward establishing an international trust fund for victim assistance and environmental remediation from nuclear weapons use and testing.
ITUC-Asia Pacific is urging all governments that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the TPNW without delay. “Workers and trade unions have a fundamental stake in achieving global peace and security. The path to a safe and just world lies in total elimination of nuclear weapons, continued dialogue, and effective multilateralism—not in nuclear escalation,” said Shoya Yoshida.
ITUC-Asia Pacific stands in solidarity with all movements advocating for a nuclear-free world and calls on governments to uphold their shared responsibility to protect humanity from the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons.
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