Belgium is participating as an observer in the meeting of countries that have signed the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) taking place in New York, confirmed the office of Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter.
The treaty was adopted by 122 countries in the United Nations General Assembly in 2017. The first 'Meeting of State Parties' took place in Vienna in 2022. A second meeting is scheduled for New York this year.
It is an "important signal for [Flemish Green Party] Groen that our country is again an observer in the conference of parties to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons," De Sutter declared on social media on Monday.
The Flemish socialist party Vooruit also called the decision "an important signal towards disarmament, especially now that the nuclear threat is more present than ever," affirmed Vooruit MP Vicky Reynaert.
"After Norway and Germany, Belgium will also participate as an observer in the meeting of states. We can perfectly fulfil our commitments and obligations within NATO and at the same time continue to work towards a nuclear weapons-free world," she said.
"This participation is an excellent opportunity for our country and fully in accordance with the ambition in the coalition agreement."
