Yesterday marked the opening of the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2020 Review Conference of the parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). This will be the second of three planned sessions that will be held prior to the 2020 Review Conference. For two weeks now, the Preparatory Committee will be addressing substantive and procedural issues related to the Treaty and the forthcoming Review Conference.
Sweden supports the continued strengthening of the NPT regime, and intends to take active part in these efforts. Our priority must be to strengthen a balanced implementation of the treaty in order to uphold and preserve its role as a key multilateral instrument for reinforcing international peace, security and stability. Sweden recognizes that gender is a cross-cutting issue of direct relevance to strengthening the review process, and is committed to raising further awareness on this issue.
The NPT entered into force in 1970 and was extended indefinitely in 1995. The Treaty is regarded as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and an essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. It was designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, to further the goals of nuclear disarmament and to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.