The Philippines anti-nuclear policy remains firm as officials push for global disarmament. Speaking at the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) meeting in New York, Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo called nuclear weapons an “unacceptable risk” and urged global action toward their elimination.
“We gather at a critical moment where the universalization of the [treaty] has never been more urgent,” Lagdameo stated.
Ongoing Advocacy for Nuclear Disarmament
Lagdameo highlighted several actions the Philippines has taken to strengthen the treaty:
- Launching the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty Friends initiative to halt the production of nuclear weapon materials.
- Hosting an event on nuclear weapon consequences to raise awareness of their devastating impact.
- Pushing for wider treaty ratification and co-sponsoring resolutions on victim assistance and nuclear war research.
The ambassador also welcomed Indonesia, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Príncipe, and the Solomon Islands as new signatories, underscoring the growing support for a nuclear-free world.
“The Philippines remains steadfast in its commitment to work collaboratively with all States toward the realization of a nuclear-weapon-free world,” Lagdameo declared.
Japan’s Absence Raises Questions
Despite being a major Philippine defense partner, Japan once again refused to attend the conference, marking its third consecutive absence since 2022. Tokyo cited its reliance on nuclear deterrence policies amid regional security threats as the reason for skipping the meeting.
Japan’s absence contrasts with its history as the only nation to suffer a nuclear attack and its close security ties with the United States, which also opposes the treaty.
The Philippines’ Commitment to the Treaty
The Philippines signed the TPNW in 2017 and fully ratified it in 2021 after unanimous approval in the Senate. The treaty bans the development, testing, possession, and stockpiling of nuclear weapons, aligning with the country’s long-standing disarmament advocacy.
With its firm stance at the UN, the Philippines continues to push for a world free of nuclear threats, even as key allies like Japan take a different path.
