Finland to participate in Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

Finland will participate in the ninth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) on 27 April–22 May 2015.

In cooperation with the other parties to the Treaty, Finland aims to achieve consensus which would strengthen the role of the NPT as the cornerstone of the global arms control regime and as an essential element of international security. Finland will attach particular attention to ways of promoting nuclear disarmament and developing nuclear safeguards as part of measures to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. 

Under-Secretary of State Jaakko Laajava will report to the Review Conference in his capacity as the facilitator of the Middle East Zone free of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs). In October 2011, the convenors of the conference on the Middle East Zone free of Weapons of Mass Destruction, that is the UN Secretary-General and the United Kingdom, Russia and the United States, selected Finland to host the next conference and appointed Under-Secretary of State Laajava as its facilitator.

The aim of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which entered into force in 1970, is to promote nuclear disarmament, prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and increase cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.  The implementation of and adherence to the Treaty is reviewed in a conference every five years. The Finnish NTP delegation will be chaired by Ambassador Klaus Korhonen from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

For more information: Sannamaria Vanamo, Head of Unit, tel. +358 295 351 529 and Lauri Hirvonen, Counsellor, tel. +358 295 351 794 Unit for Arms Control.