Press Releases
The 17th Asia Senior-Level Talks on Non-Proliferation (ASTOP)
March 18, 2022
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan hosted the 17th Asia Senior-Level Talks on Non-Proliferation (ASTOP) on March 16 and 17 via teleconference. Senior government officials in charge of non-proliferation policies from the ASEAN member states, China, India, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, the United States, EU, the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan participated in the meeting.
- In his opening remarks, Mr. IKEMATSU Hidehiro, Deputy Director-General of Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, underlined the importance of ensuring nuclear safety and security, and explained Japan’s sanction measures against Russia, including export control. He stated that he expected this meeting would serve as an opportunity to further strengthen efforts and partnership towards the shared non-proliferation objectives in the Asia-Pacific where serious proliferation challenges continue to exist, including issues related to North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
- From the perspective of leading to concrete actions in the future, the participants actively shared information and exchanged views mainly on the following topics:
(1) Efforts against North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs including the full implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions; and
(2) Efforts in nuclear safety and security issues in Ukraine and sanction measures against Russia
(3) Efforts and challenges in strengthening export control, and capacity building assistance in implementation of UNSCR 1540
(4) Efforts and Importance of Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC)