2017 Monterey Memorandum

Monterey Memorandum

The next step after the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

Narrowing divides between nuclear possessing states and non-nuclear weapons states

Sharing their joint commitment towards the realization of a world free of nuclear weapons, representatives from Austria, Australia, People’s Republic of China, France, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Russian Federation, and South Africa met at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, California from 18 – 21 July 2017. The consultative meeting, chaired by Japan, started an effective dialogue between the participating states on how to achieve a nuclear weapons free world, and agreed to the following principles, objectives, and steps that participating states could take towards this goal.

  1. The realization of a world free of nuclear weapons is a commitment shared by all participant states.
  2. All participant states have an interest in and are committed to upholding their responsibilities to ensure global and regional peace and security.
  3. States recognize that disarmament efforts are strengthened by multilateral coordination.
  4. Participant states agree that the 2010 NPT Review Conference represents a significant effort towards a nuclear weapons-free-world, recognizing the concern for the catastrophic humanitarian impacts associated with nuclear weapons (refer to final document paragraph 80).
  5. Recognizing the damage suffered by victims of nuclear attacks (hibakusha) and testing, as well as the disproportionate impact on indigenous peoples and women, participant states acknowledge the need for international and domestic effort to assist those affected.
  6. Participant states recognize the need to address the adverse environmental effects of nuclear weapons and materials.
  7. Participant states promote disarmament and non-proliferation education as essential for achieving a world free of nuclear weapons.
  8. Similarly, raising awareness in collaboration with or among various actors, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and/or the civil society can assist efforts towards a nuclear weapons free world while recognizing that state sovereignty is fundamental.
  9. All states have an interest in increasing nuclear safety and security, to develop nuclear security-based nuclear energy infrastructure.
  10. States are committed to make progress towards Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty negotiations in the interest of limiting and preventing a nuclear arms race and to enhance nuclear material security and control.
  11. All parties recognize the urgency to strengthen the nuclear test ban treaty by enhancing existing relevant multilateral frameworks through a commitment to strengthen the nuclear test ban regime while maintaining the current moratorium on nuclear tests and encourage states that have not done so to ensure the CTBT’s entry into force at the earliest possible date.
  12. All participant states commit to Additional Protocols consistent with the model additional protocol (INFCIRC/540 (Corrected)) and strongly encourage comprehensive adoption of such protocols.
  13. Participant states support continued efforts to strengthen multilateral nonproliferation export control regimes, consistent with the Nuclear Suppliers Group’s Export Control Guidelines while protecting all state’s right to secure peaceful nuclear technology.
  14. Participant states recognize that current international disarmament verification is insufficient to ensure confidence in the compliance, verification and enforcement of eventual disarmament. In addition, participant states recognize the need for international partnership for continuing research on disarmament verification methods and technologies in addition to other future confidence-building measures.
  15. States respect the Nuclear Weapons Free Zones (NWFZs) and encourage the development of future NWFZs, as well as the responsibility of states possessing nuclear weapons to provide negative security assurances to said zones.
  16. Participant states recognize the immediate, increasing threat posed by DPRK’s nuclear program and commit to further strengthening compliance with the current sanctions regime while understanding the need for stability in the region.
  17. States agree that continued high-level dialogues and multilateral negotiations among all states are critical to achieving a nuclear weapons free world.
  18. Following the success of the current meeting, states encourage future formal and informal meetings between states possessing nuclear weapon and non-nuclear weapon states with an emphasis on engaging states not party to the NPT.

Convinced that the dialogue started at the meeting contributed constructively towards achieving a world free of nuclear weapons, the participating states agreed to continue this dialogue and expand participation therein as appropriate.