Summing up the Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons, held in Oslo this week, the Chair, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said several states had expressed the wish to continue the discussions.
Eide said the Conference had heard presentations from a wide range of experts on the various effects of nuclear weapon detonations. Presentations have covered preparedness and first-line response as well as the medium- and long-term humanitarian, developmental and environmental effects.
The objective has been to present a facts-based understanding of the humanitarian impacts of nuclear weapon detonations and to facilitate an informed discussion of these effects with stakeholders from states, the United Nations, other international organisations and civil society.
Delegations representing 127 states, the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement and civil society participated in the conference. It is the chair’s view that this broad participation reflects the increasing global concern regarding the effects of nuclear weapons detonations, as well as the recognition that this is an issue of fundamental significance to us all.
During the discussions a number of states expressed an interest in further exploring this important issue in ways that ensure global participation. States expressed their interest in continuing the discussions, and to broaden the discourse on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons.
The Norwegian Foreign Minister said the chair welcomed the offer from Mexico to host a follow-up meeting to this conference. The chair also welcomes the intention expressed by other states to organise events on this subject.
(NRK/Press release)
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