Central Asian Nuclear-Free Zone Nations Warn of Stalled Disarmament Progress on Treaty Anniversary
The five CANWFZ Treaty parties voiced deep concern over the lack of nuclear-disarmament advances while marking the treaty's 20th year.
On the 20th anniversary of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia, the five signatory states released a joint declaration expressing serious worry about the stagnant pace of nuclear disarmament required by Article 6 of the NPT. The foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan criticized the Eleventh Review Conference of NPT parties for ending without substantive results, citing persistent mistrust.
They called for the rapid development of verifiable arms-control frameworks to avert a new nuclear arms race and urged all NPT members to resume negotiations on disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful nuclear use. The statement also highlighted the pivotal role of the IAEA in monitoring nuclear programmes and advocated for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty to enter into force as soon as possible. Additionally, the ministers stressed the importance of raising public awareness, especially among youth, to foster a culture of peace and responsibility.
