2016 G7 Foreign Ministers' Hiroshima Declaration on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

G7/8 Foreign Ministers Meetings > G7 Foreign Ministers at Hiroshima

G7 Foreign Ministers' Hiroshima Declaration
on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

Hiroshima, April 11, 2016
[pdf]

We emphasize the importance of our meeting in Hiroshima seventy one years after World War II, which unleashed unprecedented horror upon the world. The people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki experienced immense devastation and human suffering as a consequence of the atomic bombings and have rebuilt their cities so impressively.

In this historic meeting, we reaffirm our commitment to seeking a safer world for all and to creating the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons in a way that promotes international stability. This task is made more complex by the deteriorating security environment in a number of regions, such as Syria and Ukraine, and, in particular by North Korea's repeated provocations.

We welcome conclusion and continuing implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between E3/EU+3 and Iran, which demonstrates the resilience of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of the international non-proliferation architecture. We are determined that the JCPOA be fully and rigorously implemented, for which the verification activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are key.

We emphasize our strong commitment to the NPT in all aspects. We urge states that have not yet done so to become parties to the NPT without delay and without conditions. We strongly support the full implementation of the provisions of the NPT across all three of its "pillars" (non-proliferation, disarmament, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy). We reaffirm the central role of the IAEA and its safeguards system.

No state should conduct a nuclear test explosion and all states should sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty without delay and without conditions to achieve the early entry into force of the treaty. As a priority, we call upon the Conference on Disarmament to immediately begin negotiations on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for use in nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.

Over the years there have been significant reductions in nuclear arsenals of nuclear-weapon States. Further progress-whether unilateral, bilateral or multilateral- toward a world without nuclear weapons, can only be achieved if we take a determined, realistic and incremental approach, while enhancing international security. In accordance with Article VI of the NPT, we will be persistent and active advocates of continued reductions in nuclear weapons globally, and call upon all states to make such efforts.

We welcome the efforts taken by the nuclear-weapon States in the G7 that have enhanced transparency. We urge others to do the same.

We urge all states to work with us on practical and realistic initiatives that can promote meaningful dialogue on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation among all, including between nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States.

It is essential to continue to strengthen national export controls on sensitive goods and technologies in order to prevent the proliferation of WMD to states and non-state actors. All states must implement fully all relevant UNSCRs including UNSCR 1540. We invite all states to contribute to the goal of non-proliferation by enforcing export controls consistent with the guidelines of the international export control regimes.

We will actively implement the Final Communique and the Action Plans of the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit and will support the central role of the IAEA in this area.

We are committed to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and will continue to work with the IAEA to promote the highest standards of non-proliferation, nuclear safety and security.

For decades, political leaders like us and other visitors have come to Hiroshima and Nagasaki and been deeply moved. We hope others follow that path. We share the deep desire of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that nuclear weapons never be used again.

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Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

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