Press Releases
The 2nd Meeting of the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction Working Group (Summary)
November 10, 2023
On 9 and 10 November, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, as this year’s G7 President, hosted the second meeting of the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction Working Group (GPWG) in Nagasaki. The GPWG was convened, followed by the joint session between the GP and the G7 Non-Proliferation Directors Group, in which the participants shared a wide range of views on disarmament and nonproliferation. The GPWG summary is as follows.
- The GPWG was attended by approximately 140 participants from 15 GP Member States, as well as the EU and other international organizations. Participants conducted lively discussions, and exchanged views on concrete measures on the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and other weapons.
- Further technical discussions were conducted among the attendees at the four sub-working groups on biosecurity, chemical security, nuclear and radiological security and the CBRN.
- The participants had a lively exchange of views on project proposals during the matchmaking sessions in each of the sub-working groups.
- At the closing Plenary of the GPWG, the participants expressed their appreciation for Japan’s efforts during this year’s G7 Presidency and to have hosted the GPWG in Nagasaki. Furthermore, Italy, the next G7 President, expressed its expectation toward further enhancing cooperation among the GP member states and organizations.
- Following the GPWG, the participants deepened their understanding of the realities of nuclear weapons use by visiting Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and listening to the testimony of a Hibakusha.
[Referrence]