The treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons enters into force

2020-10-25T02:29:46.439Z

The treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons enters into force after ratification by 50 countries, the minimum required threshold. The treaty, adopted by a United Nations conference on July 7, 2017, is the first legally binding agreement to prohibit the development, testing, production, storage, transfer, use and threat of nuclear weapons. The 50th state to ratify the agreement was Honduras, allowing the treaty now to enter into force after 90 days, as reported by a UN official. "Today is a victory for humanity and a promise for a safer future," said Peter Maurer, president of the International Commission of the Red Cross. No nuclear power has signed it, and only 6 of the 49 European states have approved and ratified the treaty: Austria, Ireland, Malta, San Marino Liechtenstein and the Vatican State. Italy has neither signed nor ratified the Treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons. It did not participate in the negotiation of the treaty at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and therefore did not vote on its adoption. Italy is currently one of the five European states hosting US nuclear warheads under NATO agreements. There are about 40 B61 nuclear bombs at the Aviano and Ghedi air bases. In 2019, Italy voted against a UN General Assembly resolution calling for adherence to the treaty.