Philippines Renews Call for Global Nuclear Disarmament at UN Preparatory Committee
Speaking at the General Debate of the 3rd Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Undersecretary Charles C. Jose states that “[t]he Philippines urges all States Parties to rise above narrow interests and reaffirm our shared responsibility to rid the world of nuclear weapons.” (New York PM photo)
NEW YORK 07 May 2025 — The Philippines has renewed its call for decisive international action to eliminate nuclear weapons, urging all states to set aside narrow interests and reaffirm their shared responsibility for global disarmament. Speaking at the General Debate of the Third Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (3rd NPT PrepCom), Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations Charles C. Jose of the Department of Foreign Affairs underscored the urgency of a “time-bound, phased, and verifiable program for the total elimination of nuclear weapons, and the provision of legally binding security assurances to Non-Nuclear-Weapon States.”
Delivering the national statement as head of the Philippine delegation, Usec. Jose emphasized that “We are approaching the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 50th anniversary of the first NPT Review Conference. Let us mark these milestone not merely with reflection, but with renewed resolve.”
The NPT is a landmark international treaty which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technology, promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, achieve general and complete disarmament. The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to these objectives, highlighting that the treaty “remains the cornerstone of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation architecture.”
The country’s stance is rooted in its Constitution, which mandates a “policy of freedom from nuclear weapons in its territory.” The Philippines is also a state party to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), having ratified the agreement in 2021 and consistently advocating for universal adherence to nuclear disarmament norms.
As the most senior member of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initative (NPDI) present during the General Debate, Usec. Jose also delivered the joint statement on behalf of the group (LINK HERE), reminding nuclear-weapon States that they “have the responsibility to implement obligations under Article VI of the NPT on disarmament – these are integral to the Treaty.” He also expressed the group’s grave concern over the reported increase in the number of nuclear warheads worldwide. “Put simply, the world is now heading in the wrong direction,” he warned.
Established in 2010, the NPDI counts the Philippines as one of its twelve member countries along with Australia, Canada, Chile, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, Turkiye, and the UAE. The NPDI has become a leading cross-regional voice for advancing nuclear disarmament and strengthening the NPT through concrete, consensus-based proposals.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recently reaffirmed the Philippines’ opposition to the proliferation of nuclear weapons, aligning national policy with international commitments. The government continues to emphasize the importance of multilateral cooperation, dialogue, and legally binding instruments to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.
The 3rd NPT PrepCom is the final ession before the 2026 Review Conference. Chaired by Ambassador Harold Agyeman of Ghana, the meeting brings together all NPT States Parties to address both substantive and procedural issues, laying the groundwork for the upcoming Review Conference. The session runs from 28 April to 09 May 2025. END
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Undersecretary Charles C. Jose delivers the Joint Statement on behalf of the twelve member countries that comprise the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI) during the General Debate of the 3rd NPT PrepCom. (New York PM photo)
For more information, visit https://www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/.