NAM warns world slipping into deeper danger of nuclear weapons

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The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has warned that the world is drifting towards a more dangerous nuclear era, urging nuclear-armed states to recommit to disarmament and non-proliferation amid rising global tensions and renewed arms competition.

Speaking at the 2026 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday (April 28, 2026), Uganda’s Permanent Representative, Adonia Ayebare, delivered a 33-point stark message on behalf of NAM member states.

The conference coincided with the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations.

“This serves as an urgent reminder of the pressing need to eliminate nuclear weapons," Ayebare said while warning of renewed and increasingly dangerous threats to international stability and security.

NAM, which represents 120 developing countries, has long advocated for nuclear disarmament and multilateral cooperation.

Uganda assumed the chairmanship of the Movement in January 2024 during the 19th NAM Summit in Kampala, positioning the East African nation at the centre of global South diplomacy on key international issues, including nuclear policy.

Since then, Kampala has used its leadership role to amplify calls for equity, peace and adherence to international law.

At the New York conference, Ayebare congratulated the conference president, Ambassador Do Hung Viet, and pledged NAM’s support.

“We extend our confidence in your leadership to steward the work of the conference in a result-oriented and meaningful manner. We assure you of our constructive participation,” Ayebare said.

However, the tone of his address quickly turned cautionary, reflecting growing unease among non-nuclear states.

“We witnessed the second consecutive failure of the Review Conference to agree on a consensual outcome document,” he said, referring to the 2022 meeting.

“This is without precedent since the indefinite extension of the Treaty in 1995,” he said.

The failure of recent review conferences has raised questions about the effectiveness of the NPT, widely regarded as the cornerstone of global nuclear governance. NAM warned that without renewed political will, the treaty risks losing credibility.

“Given the crucial role of the NPT in international security, all efforts must be made to ensure a meaningful and ambitious outcome,” Ayebare said.

A central concern for NAM is what it sees as an imbalance between commitments to disarmament and actions taken by nuclear-armed states.

“The realisation of the objectives of the Treaty, depends on full, non-discriminatory, balanced and effective implementation of all the obligations across its three pillars,” Ayebare said while referring to disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear energy.

NAM reiterated that nuclear disarmament remains its highest priority. “We remain extremely concerned at the threat to humanity posed by the continued existence of nuclear weapons and of their possible use,” Ayebare said.

He added; “The total elimination of nuclear weapons is the only absolute guarantee against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons.”

He added that efforts to curb proliferation must not be separated from disarmament obligations.

“Non-proliferation derives its legitimacy from the larger objective of nuclear disarmament,” he said.

Ayebare emphasised that global agreements must be “universal, comprehensive and non-discriminatory.”

The Movement also raised alarm over what it described as a renewed arms race, citing the modernisation of nuclear arsenals and the development of new weapons technologies.

“The Group reiterates its deep concern over the greatest threat to peace and security posed by modernisation of nuclear forces and development of more effective and newer nuclear warheads. This is in fact a new nuclear-arms race and a clear violation of Article VI of the Treaty,” top UN Ugandan diplomat said.

NAM registered particular concern about the potential resumption of nuclear weapons testing.

“Any resumption of nuclear weapon testing would constitute a serious threat to international peace and security. It would represent a serious regression in international efforts toward nuclear disarmamentt and risk igniting a new nuclear arms race,” he warned.

The expiration of key arms control agreements, according to NAM has added to the uncertainty.

Ayebare pointed to the end of the New START Treaty between the United States and Russia earlier this year.

“We regret the expiry of the Treaty without agreeing on a successor,” he said, cautioning that ongoing modernisation programmes could undermine previous reductions in nuclear stockpiles.

NAM is also increasingly concerned about emerging risks, including the integration of artificial intelligence into nuclear command systems.

“There are compounded and significant risks and we underscore the necessity for ensuring full and effective human control over these weapons,” Ayebare said.

Despite its strong emphasis on disarmament, the mmovement reaffirmed the right of all states to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

“Each state has the inalienable right to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy without discrimination,” he said, calling for greater international cooperation and technology sharing.

The group also warned against attacks on civilian nuclear facilities, describing them as violations of international law.

“Any attack or threat of attack against peaceful nuclear facilities poses a great danger to human lives and the environment,” Ayebare said.

NAM expressed confidence in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the global nuclear watchdog, while rejecting attempts to politicise its work.

“We express our full confidence in the impartiality and professionalism of the IAEA and strongly reject any politically motivated attempts to politicise its work,” he said.

On the issue of universal adherence, NAM called on countries that have not yet joined the NPT to do so without conditions. It also renewed its long-standing support for establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.

“The Group once again expresses its strong support for the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East,” Ayebare said, urging Israel to accede to the treaty and place its nuclear facilities under international safeguards.

He also criticised the lack of consensus at previous review conferences on measures related to the region, describing it as a missed opportunity.

 “The Movement highlights the urgency of achieving meaningful and ambitious progress, particularly through structured and detailed reporting by nuclear weapon states,” Ayebare said.