As the international community gathers in Vienna for the first meeting of states parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), three more countries have ratified the landmark United Nations agreement, bringing the total number of parties to 65.

Cabo Verde, Grenada, and Timor-Leste deposited their instruments of ratification with the UN secretary-general in New York on 20 June, one day before the start of the historic talks in Vienna. ICAN applauded them for their commitment to the cause of nuclear disarmament and encouraged others to follow their lead.

A priority for the meeting of states parties will be to agree on actions to encourage more countries to sign and ratify the treaty, with the goal of “universal adherence”. It is hoped that this week’s ratifications will bring new momentum to universalisation efforts.