The Philippines and nuclear non-proliferation

UK Foreign Office Minister

MANILA, Philippines - The UK and the Philippines have a strong and enduring friendship. We share many common aims, including a desire for a more peaceful, stable and prosperous world. Our ongoing cooperation in trying to foster a lasting peace in Mindanao has demonstrated the value of reaching out and trying to build bridges in order to overcome substantial differences in opinion.

The upcoming Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference represents a real chance to make significant progress in addressing one of the most serious issues of our time. We need to reach a consensus that balances non-proliferation and respect for the legitimate right of countries to pursue peaceful civil nuclear ambitions. That is why I welcome the role that the Philippines has to play as President of the upcoming Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in May. With your strong links to both the Non-Aligned Movement and nuclear weapon states such as the United Kingdom and the United States I know that you can act as an influential and powerful consensus broker within the international system. 

It is the UK’s goal to secure a safer world where nuclear weapons are not needed; where all nuclear arsenals are permanently and verifiably eliminated. The UK is committed to delivering this goal, which is why we have taken measures to reduce the explosive power of our own nuclear forces by 75 percent.

We have also made clear that as soon as it becomes useful for the UK arsenal to be included in a broader negotiation then we stand ready to participate and to act.

We do this because it is in the global interest.   I know that Philippines recognise that as well. Although global consensus around this issue is not your gift to give; as President of the Review Conference the role you have is at the heart of the process. By reaching out to all your international partners the chances of slowing down and reversing the spread of nuclear weapons is much more likely.

And the rewards in securing these goals are immense; a safer and more stable and more prosperous world. A world without nuclear weapons but with nuclear energy programmes that help tackle climate change and address rising energy demands.

But the threats of failing to achieve those goals are commensurately grave. Without adequate nuclear security the dangers of sensitive technology and materials falling into the wrong hands remain real risk. The nuclear ambitions of North Korea and Iran risk destabilising their immediate regions and sparking a new and unwanted nuclear arms race. 

The Cold War might be over but the unfortunate truth is that there are new threats to consider.   Iran is now one of the world’s most pressing foreign policy concerns. And whilst the UK continues to support Iran’s right to a peaceful civil nuclear energy programme, Iran is flouting the obligations that come with that right. Iran’s co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency is woeful; and with each report the IAEA’s charge sheet against Iran gets longer and longer.

North Korea’s illicit programmes also remain a serious threat to regional peace and security. And its proliferation network facilitates the global spread of material.

So the stakes are too high for me to make any apologies about urging the Philippines to use its influence, its outreach and its voice within the Non Aligned Movement and ASEAN to say that this sort of behaviour is simply unacceptable and that there must be consequences.

Without a robust Treaty to fight the spread of nuclear weapons the security of all nations is threatened. It is a great responsibility you face as President of the Review Conference to help ensure that the 188 states present seize the opportunity to reaffirm the world’s collective commitment to the Treaty and its core principles.   I know that the Philippines will bear that responsibility well.

(Ivan Lewis MP is Minister of State of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the United Kingdom.)