The TPNW in Practice: Elements for Effective National Implementation

Abstract

In the past, states have underestimated the effort required to implement WMD-related treaties. Yet effective national implementation is a prerequisite to upholding agreements and building confidence in compliance with these treaty regimes. Drawing on experience from other arms control and disarmament agreements, this article lays out the most relevant measures for national implementation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) resulting from Article 5 (national implementation). It also examines other obligations in the TPNW through the lens of national implementation, including initial declarations Articles 2 (declarations), 6 (victim assistance and environmental remediation) and 7 (international cooperation and assistance). The paper focuses on what key elements that TPNW States Parties should address when transposing the international agreement to the national level: standardization; capacity and resources; and international assistance. In doing so, it aims to assist national and international actors in their implementation efforts.