<\/p>\n
The risk of nuclear weapons use remains real and pressing, South Africa warned during the 34th Plenary Meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), which took place in Cape Town last week.<\/p>\n
The meeting, which took place from July 21 to 25, marked the Group\u2019s 50th anniversary and brought together 48 participating governments, with the European Commission and the Zangger Committee attending as permanent observers.<\/p>\n
The NSG is a key part of the international nuclear non-proliferation architecture. It aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons through export controls on nuclear and dual-use materials, equipment, software, and technology, while supporting the peaceful use of nuclear energy.<\/p>\n
In a keynote address delivered virtually at the opening session, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said: \u201cThe world stands at a precipice. The threat of nuclear weapons being used remains. The stakes for humanity could not be higher.\u201d<\/p>\n
South Africa, which voluntarily dismantled its nuclear weapons programme in the early 1990s, reaffirmed its long-standing support for disarmament, non-proliferation, and the peaceful use of nuclear technology.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have consistently expressed support for measures that would strengthen safeguards and non-proliferation systems,\u201d Lamola said, \u201cwhile ensuring that controls under the NSG do not deny developing countries access to sensitive material, equipment, and advanced technologies required for peaceful purposes and their developmental needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
He reiterated that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) remains the cornerstone of the non-proliferation regime and is supported by instruments such as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).<\/p>\n
The meeting coincided with the NSG\u2019s 50th anniversary, which Lamola described as \u201ca golden jubilee to celebrate five decades of shared purpose, progress, and partnership.\u201d<\/p>\n
Participating governments reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the NSG\u2019s guidelines to prevent proliferation while enabling nuclear trade for peaceful purposes. The NSG welcomed growing adherence to its guidelines by non-member states and stressed the importance of effective national implementation of export controls.<\/p>\n
Lamola warned against the imposition of unnecessary restrictions on developing countries. \u201cIn their legitimate exercise of the inalienable right to develop, use, and access nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, they are not seeking a favour; they are asserting a fundamental entitlement that underpins global equity and shared prosperity.\u201d<\/p>\n
He called on NSG members to deepen dialogue, strengthen coordination, and update control lists to reflect current challenges. \u201cThis is not merely a technical exercise,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is a profound moral imperative.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 2025 plenary was chaired by South Africa\u2019s Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo. The next plenary will be hosted by the Republic of Korea.<\/p>\n
THE MERCURY<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The risk of nuclear weapons use remains real and pressing, South Africa warned during the 34th Plenary Meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), which took place in Cape Town last week. The meeting, which took place from July 21 to 25, marked the Group\u2019s 50th anniversary and brought together 48 participating governments, with the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[5835,868,63,17992,2938,12800,1865,51,15488,807,13965],"class_list":["post-246906","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-politics","tag-50th","tag-africa","tag-anniversary","tag-group039s","tag-meeting","tag-nuclear","tag-risk","tag-south","tag-supplier","tag-warns","tag-weapons"],"yoast_head":"\n