Myanmar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, U Kyaw Moe Tun, has revealed that the ratification of the International Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons has been nullified due to the military coup. He made this statement during the third meeting of member states of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons held at the UN Headquarters in New York on March 5.
U Kyaw Moe Tun expressed Myanmar’s welcome for the notable progress in implementing the Vienna Action Plan, as well as the ratifications by Indonesia, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, and Solomon Islands in the previous year. He emphasized Myanmar’s belief in the crucial importance of achieving universal adherence to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, urging all member states to proceed with ratification without delay.
During the civilian government’s administration, Myanmar signed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in 2018 and had begun the ratification process. However, these efforts were halted by the military coup in 2021. Despite the challenges and difficulties arising from the illegal military takeover, U Kyaw Moe Tun stressed that Myanmar remains committed to upholding the objectives and goals of the treaty. He explained that Myanmar believes peace and stability at national, regional, and international levels are essential for advancing efforts toward universal participation in the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
The ambassador highlighted how the military coup and the military’s continued brutal actions have destroyed the foundations of peace in the country, causing suffering for citizens and affecting regional peace and stability. He called on the international community to address the root cause of the problem and support the Myanmar people, specifically requesting the cutting off of weapons, ammunition, and jet fuel supplies to the military. However, it has been learned that despite these calls, the military council has reached an agreement with Russia to construct a nuclear reactor in Myanmar with Russian assistance.
