Thread by @BeaFihn

Ok, so I’ve kind of recovered from the MSP party last night so here’s a few thoughts about the key #TPNW1MSP outcomes & what it really means

1). This is the strongest condemnation of nuclear threats that have ever been done by a UN conference and it is without a doubt a response to Russia's nuclear threat.

It is a powerful and urgently needed message from a large group of very diverse states. The clear and shape condemnation of nuclear threats is at the center of the Vienna Declaration because it’s a response to the Russian nuclear threats.

Some might claim that it doesn’t condemn Russia’s nuclear threats. It’s not true, it is responding to these threats. You know it, we all know it. Don’t help Russia by pretending it doesn’t condemn the illegal threats just so you can feel you’re scoring some points on Twitter.

2) The Vienna Declaration & Action Plan are powerful & urgently needed tools for keeping trust in non-proliferation. A NPT nuclear weapon state has invaded a NNWS under the threat to use nuclear weapons. It is hard for states to trust a nuclear armed state to keep past promises.

Many states are rightly very worried about their own security & some could start consider relying on nuclear weapons for its security now, for example by considering to develop own nuclear weapons or join a nuclear umbrella with Russia, China, US, or another nuclear armed state.

The TPNW and the outcome of the MSP shows that many states are committing to be nuclear free forever. This is so important right now & should be welcomed and celebrated by all. The declaration & action plan makes this commitment AND agrees to concrete & timebound steps.

3) The energy & commitment from a very diverse audience at the MSP was incredible and had a significant impact on the results. This outcome was influenced and shaped by survivors, impacted communities, parliamentarians, mayors, and other groups of central stakeholders.

Many of these stakeholders were young, non-western & brought so much knowledge & expertise. Some key decisions they influenced:
• Victim assistance like trust fund & assessment studies
• a scientific & technical advisory group
•appoint Gender Focal Point for the treaty

This will have a massive impact on the nuclear policy field in the coming years and should serve as inspiration for other treaties, institutions and discussions around WMDs. Read more about the progressive decisions here: icanw.org/vienna_declara…

4) I’m so proud of ICAN & this movement against nuclear weapons. We’ve never been bigger, stronger, more organised & sharper in our work. This is still only the beginning of our work, this new generation of activists are 🔥 & we’re only going to get stronger from here.