PH pushes for nuclear-weapon states’ accession to SEANWFZ Protocol

MANILA – Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro underscored the critical importance of regional solidarity during the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Commission meeting on Monday, noting that the global security landscape is under “immense strain.”

Lazaro, who chairs the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting for 2026, highlighted that this year represents a “new tide” and a “new decade” for the pact as the region marks the 31st anniversary of the 1995 treaty.

She commended Thailand for its leadership in 2025 as the depository state for the treaty’s 30th anniversary commemorative initiatives.

“As we enter the new decade for the treaty, we stand true to our vision for the region to remain a nuclear weapon-free zone and free of all other weapons of mass destruction,” Lazaro said.

However, the year needs a “deeper introspection on the future that ASEAN faces with the treaty”, she added.

Lazaro warned that the erosion of disarmament commitments and deepening mistrust have created a “real risk of undoing progress in nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.”

In connection with this, she highlighted the failure of the 11th NPT Review Conference, which was held from April 27 to May 22, to produce an outcome document due to “fundamental differences on critical issues.”

“Colleagues, these are pressures to our regional peace and security that we cannot simply ignore,” Lazaro said.

In line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, Lazaro said it is imperative to sustain the momentum of the Plan of Action for the Treaty’s Phase Three.

“We must continue to enhance the treaty’s viability and relevance in multilateral fora, reaffirming Southeast Asia’s enduring commitment to nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy,” she said.

A central pillar of the meeting was the continued push for nuclear-weapon states to accede to the SEANWFZ Protocol.

Lazaro urged for intensified efforts to resolve outstanding concerns by “exploring all possible avenues to bridge the remaining gaps and outstanding issues with the shared objective of realizing the nuclear weapons adherence to the protocol.”

She reminded the commission that their efforts are essential to the regional mandate and reflect their collective responsibility to preserve Southeast Asia as a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction. — Ma. Teresa Montemayor (PNA)