Nuclear disarmament – the road to global zero

The final document of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons spotlighted the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons. Switzerland holds the position that it is extremely doubtful that nuclear weapons could ever be used in accordance with international humanitarian law and works to ensure that the humanitarian consequences of the past use and testing of nuclear weapons underpin all efforts towards nuclear disarmament.

In Switzerland's view, the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the use of nuclear weapons are a strong reason to step up disarmament and non-proliferation efforts.  

Humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons: resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly, United Nations Digital Library

A large number of nuclear warheads worldwide are on high alert. The risk of a misunderstanding or an uncontrolled nuclear escalation is therefore high. Nuclear doctrines that allow such high alert levels are at odds with efforts to reduce the role and number of nuclear weapons. Numerous studies point out that lowering alert levels is not only judicious, but also militarily feasible without compromising deterrent capability.

With the de-alerting resolution presented to the UN General Assembly, Switzerland and like-minded states have since 2007 been calling for nuclear weapons to be removed from high alert status. Each time the resolution is presented, it is approved by a large majority.

Decreasing the operational readiness of nuclear weapons systems: Resolution adopted by the General Assembly, United Nations Digital Library

Switzerland supports concrete measures that bring us closer to the long-term goal of a world free of nuclear weapons. Reducing the salience of nuclear weapons and nuclear deterrence in security doctrines is an important step in the right direction.

Switzerland calls on the nuclear-weapon states to take additional unilateral, bilateral or multilateral measures in line with the Action Plan to strengthen the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) so as to further reduce the number of nuclear warheads and associated delivery systems. 

Mechanisms for nuclear disarmament verification are key to achieving a world free of nuclear weapons. However, an agreement to establish such mechanisms is currently not in sight. The necessary concepts, instruments and technologies can nonetheless already be developed. Switzerland supports numerous initiatives in this area.

The International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification (IPNDV) enables non-nuclear-weapon states to play an important role in identifying and developing credible, practical and effective multilateral verification measures. Switzerland supports the IPNDV, other UN efforts and think tank projects in the field of verification.

International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification (IPNDV)

In addition to existing agreements, limits on stockpiles of materials that can be used to make nuclear weapons are also necessary. This is why Switzerland supports negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT).  Switzerland believes that a treaty on fissile material for nuclear weapons is long overdue.