Dear Friends,
The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons entered into force today, 22 January. This was able to happen because more than 50 countries ratified the treaty, making it international law. No nuclear armed country has signed, however. Nor has Australia, in deference to its defence ties with the USA.
Nevertheless, this is an historic moment. An informal group known as Faith Communities Concerned about Nuclear Weapons (faith organizations active at disarmament discussions at the UN) wanted to celebrate this milestone and inform people about this important Treaty. They drafted a Joint Interfaith Statement on the Entry into Force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The First Presidency, in consultation with the World Church Peace and Justice Team, and the World Church Interfaith and Ecumenical Team, endorsed this statement today on behalf of the World Church.
Ben Smith
President, Australia Mission Centre