“I welcome the 3 January statement by the leaders of the P5 countries affirming the Reagan-Gorbachev maxim that ‘a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought’. This must now be followed by concrete action to address the growing risks of nuclear conflict. The P5 statement on its own is a small step. But, as in 1985, these words present hope for rapprochement and collaboration on an existential threat faced by humanity.   

The Elders have consistently called on all nuclear powers to affirm the fundamental principle of the Reagan-Gorbachev maxim. The P5 statement could help build momentum ahead of this year’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference. It must serve as a catalyst for strengthening arms controls and agreeing detailed nuclear risk reduction measures.  

This positive step must be viewed in the alarming context of increasing nuclear risks in recent years, which have seen the breakdown of arms control agreements, the emergence of destabilising new technologies, and the growing threat of a new nuclear arms race between the nuclear powers. Serious efforts in good faith by the P5 to address these disturbing developments are now essential if they are to persuade the rest of the world that they are serious about meeting their disarmament obligations under the NPT, and following through on the logic of their recent statement.”  

The Elders are calling on all nuclear-weapon states to adopt a ‘minimisation agenda’ as a first step towards disarmament. Find details of our policy and advocacy efforts.

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