Voices Adds Strong Presence at TPNW 3MSP
- nuclearprayer
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 15
The Third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW 3MSP) took place on 3 to 7 March 2025 at the UN Headquarters in New York, with H.E. Ambassador Akan Rakhmetullin (Kazakhstan) serving as President. Voices for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons sent a delegation to take part in this important conference, to add to the discussions the moral imperatives for nuclear abolition.
Prior to the 3MSP, Voices submitted a working paper titled “The Moral Imperative to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons,” written by our Advocacy Committee Co-Chair Michael Ramos. The paper stated:
In the face of nuclear weapons states failing to fulfill their treaty obligations, let alone their moral ones to enhance the prospects of life for their residents and citizens, a higher power is being drawn out of us, civil society, religious people and people of good will and conscience, to honor and mutually respect one another, our communities, the people of all nations and the earth of which we are a part and for which we, collectively, are accountable. This call is the call to take action from the core of our being in defense of life – to choose life over death – grounded in our shared humanity. It is a call to act mindfully for the rights of future generations to thrive. Finally, it is a call to seek the light of the Source of Life, Spirit, Compassion, core being and conscience towards a commitment to human security as the fundamental criterion toward preserving all life on the planet.
In addition, during the general exchange of views on 5 March, Voices member Kathleen Burkinshaw and her daughter Sara Burkinshaw delivered the joint interfaith statement to the 3MSP, which was endorsed by 107 organizations. The daughter and granddaughter of hibakusha lit up the room with the light of peace. Love for Kathleen’s mother was returned 100-fold with the blessing of our common humanity birthed in compassion.
No words can describe this multigenerational passage from suffering to hope, resounding for all of us present and rippling across the planet. Just as paper cranes for healing and peace and the joyful play of children set off a light within us, a candle was passed from hibakusha to humankind. Now, it is up to us to nurture and tend the fire within and transmit it in reverent nonviolence and audacious peacemaking. Such was a moment when disarmed hearts imagined that an alternative world, a world free of nuclear weapons was possible.
As the statement challenges:
We urge all nations, particularly those currently possessing nuclear weapons or
under their deterrence umbrellas, to join the Treaty without delay, to formalize the
commitment that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought...The
future of humanity is a world without nuclear weapons...Let each of us take full
responsibility in ushering in such a future – because there is no alternative.
Kathleen and Sara also spoke at a side event on 3 March titled “Towards Investigating and Redressing Lifelong and Intergenerational Impacts of Nuclear Bombing, Radiation and Exposure and Fallout” organized by ICMGLT and other organizations.
On 4 March, Voices member Jonathan Granoff spoke at the side event “Interfaith, Intergenerational, and Inter-sectoral Dialogue on the Moral Imperatives to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons” sponsored by Religions for Peace International, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, and African Council of Religious Leaders—Religions for Peace. Jonathan reminded us of the importance of prayer to complement the legal and moral prohibitions on nuclear weapons, citing both General Lee Butler and George Kennan.
Voices was among many faith groups (and the total of over 1,000 civil society participants) that engaged in prayerful actions during the week of the 3MSP. Our presence was noted by the States Parties, as stated in the political declaration adopted on the last day of the meeting:
We welcome the participation of signatory States and observer States, as well as other observers, civil society, the scientific community, academia, individuals, religious leaders and survivors of nuclear weapons use and testing. The active and diverse engagement of a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons and many others, strengthens our collective impact and amplifies the urgent calls for nuclear disarmament.
For a more detailed report about the 3MSP, read the personal reflections below by Michael Ramos.
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