Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty conference relevant - Romulo

MANILA, Philippines - Saying the world is no longer divided over nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo urged yesterday nuclear experts and negotiators to achieve significant progress to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

Romulo said the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference is an important venue towards this end.

Romulo opened the two-day workshop on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons dubbed “Working Towards a Successful 2010 NPT Review Conference.”

The workshop, attended by over 90 experts from NPT countries, aims to contribute to the consultation and deliberation process prior to the Review Conference. It will also assist delegations, particularly those from developing countries, in their preparations.

“We have a world no longer divided when it comes to ending the scourge of nuclear weapons. We have the critical mass to finally get rid of those weapons. The 2010 NPT Review Conference will be an important venue towards this end,” Romulo said.

The Philippines will assume the presidency of the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in May 2010. Ambassador Libran Cabactulan, a career diplomat, will chair the conference in New York on behalf of the Philippines.

“With president-elect Ambassador Libran Cabactulan at the helm, it is our hope that he will steer the Review Conference towards capitalizing on the prevailing positive political climate and the sense of goodwill to achieve significant progress on all the three pillars of the NPT: nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy,” he said.

Romulo encouraged experts and negotiators to freely exchange ideas to enhance preparations for the Review Conference and achieve better understanding of perceptions and approaches to critical issues.

“We hope that this workshop will be marked by vigorous and open elaboration of ideas that will chart ways forward and give a sense of the priorities that need to be addressed in the Review Conference. In this manner, we could have an honest look at where we stand now and ultimately, a better idea of where our shared vision of a nuclear weapon-free world could lead to creative solutions, tangible agreements and attainable results,” he added.

The NPT is an essential cornerstone in the global pursuit of nuclear disarmament. It was designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to further the goal of nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament, and to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. – Pia Lee-Brago