Asia-Pacific Nations Convene in Jakarta to Advance Nuclear Disarmament Efforts

On Friday, April 17, 2026, government officials from more than 20 nuclear-weapon-free nations across Asia and the Pacific gathered in Jakarta for a pivotal one-day conference focused on eliminating nuclear weapons. The meeting, co-hosted by Indonesia and Austria in partnership with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), aimed to strengthen the global movement toward a nuclear-weapon-free world.

Conference Objectives and Key Discussions

The primary goal of the Jakarta conference was to advance the universalization and implementation of the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Discussions centered on assessing progress made under the treaty and encouraging additional states to join the agreement. Participants also addressed the growing security challenges posed by nuclear weapons in the region, particularly amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Indonesia, which served as a vice-president of the Bureau of the President during the TPNW negotiations in 2017 and ratified the treaty in 2024, played a central role in hosting the event. Austria, having chaired the first meeting of TPNW States Parties in 2022 and currently co-leading the informal working group on universalization, provided critical support and coordination.

Regional Context and Significance

For the Asia-Pacific region, nuclear risks are not abstract concerns but direct and growing security challenges. The region hosts several potential flashpoints, including the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan Strait, Kashmir and the South China Sea, where nuclear-armed states maintain and modernize their arsenals. Despite these realities, many Asian and Pacific nations have emerged as leaders in the global disarmament effort, having suffered profound historical impacts from nuclear testing and employ.

Since the TPNW entered into force, 93 countries have signed and 70 have ratified the treaty, with significant participation from across Asia and Oceania. Nations such as Mongolia, the Philippines, New Zealand, Fiji, and Malaysia have acceded to the treaty, reflecting a broad regional commitment to stigmatizing and eliminating nuclear weapons.

Statements from Key Figures

H.E. Tri Tharyat, Director-General of Multilateral Cooperation at Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the urgency of the moment: “This Conference comes at a critical moment. With the Eleventh NPT Review Conference approaching and the First TPNW Review Conference later this year, the Conference can help shape both processes in a meaningful way.”

He further stated: “The reality we face is clear. Nuclear risks are rising, driven by heightened geopolitical tensions and the continued reliance on nuclear deterrence. For the Asia-Pacific, this is not a distant concern. It is a direct and growing security challenge.”

Supporting Organizations and Broader Implications

The conference received financial backing from Austria and benefited from the expertise of ICAN, the global coalition advocating for the stigmatization, prohibition, and elimination of nuclear weapons. The ICRC contributed its humanitarian perspective, underscoring the catastrophic consequences of any nuclear weapon use.

By focusing on the humanitarian impact and legal pathways toward disarmament, the Jakarta gathering sought to build momentum ahead of key international review processes, including the upcoming TPNW Review Conference and the NPT Review Conference.

Looking Ahead

As the international community prepares for pivotal disarmament discussions later in 2026, outcomes from the Jakarta conference are expected to inform and strengthen efforts to expand the TPNW’s membership and reinforce its norms. The event underscored the Asia-Pacific region’s active role in shaping a safer, nuclear-weapon-free future.