Mesures prises:
For many years, Austria has been advocating actively for the non-proliferation and prohibition of nuclear weapons. Thus, Austria was a main sponsor of the 2016 UNGA Resolution 71/258 “Taking forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations” which led to the successful negotiation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and eventually its adoption with the support of 122 States, on 7 July 2017.
Austria was among the first 50 States parties to the treaty when it entered into force on 22 January 2021. Austria continues to promote accession to the TPNW, and particularly focusses on raising awareness of and demanding action against the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons.
From 21 to 23 June 2022, the first Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW took place in Vienna. In the margins of the meeting of States Parties, Austria hosted a high-level conference on “Humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons” on 20 June 2022, with 800 delegates from more than 80 States as well as international and non-governmental organisations. The objective of the conference was to provide a fact-based, empirical basis for the global discussion on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, in particular regarding its humanitarian aspects.
To this end, Austria also commissioned and financed a study providing an overview of the latest scientific findings on the humanitarian and environmental impact of nuclear weapons, covering the last 15 years. The goal was to raise awareness of the complex risks and consequences of nuclear weapons and gain a factual basis for further diplomatic initiatives regarding nuclear disarmament. The study was conducted by the University of York and was presented in August 2023 in Vienna.
See: Understanding_the_Humanitarian_Consequences_and_Risks_of_Nuclear_Weapons.pdf (bmeia.gv.at)
Austria has also been the main sponsor of the annual UNGA resolution “Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons” since 2015. Most recently, at the 78th UNGA Session, this resolution was supported by 136 States, with 46 States as co-sponsors.
At the first Meeting of States Parties, TPNW States further adopted the Vienna Action Plan as a comprehensive implementation plan to the Treaty. Austria continues to advocate for the Plan’s effective execution and took on the role as coordinator of the consultative process on the security concerns of States following the second Meeting of States Parties in 2023.
