Public Health and the Duty to Abolish Nuclear Weapons

The first Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) took place in Vienna, Austria, in June 2022.

Several side events were organised during this meeting. On 23 June 2022, WFPHA delegate Prof. Bettina Borisch participated in the “Public Health and the Duty to Abolish Nuclear Weapons” side event, organized by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Costa Rica and the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), to build upon a recent joint statement and call for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

During the side event, Prof. Borisch said:

“As of today, we must acknowledge: The state of the world is not really great. Everyday news is overwhelming. We are at a point with two main existential threats: Climate crisis and the nuclear threats.

The existing nuclear weapons around the world are enough to wipe out all of humanity. Since the end of the Cold War, there has been a steady decline in nuclear weapons. This trend is now reversing. Nuclear competition and nuclear risk are increasing.

I represent the voice of public health community around the world. For us it is absolutely clear when it comes to nuclear weapons. We have enough evidence that they have to be abolished, it is now time for advocacy, we have to persuade the governments around world.

I started saying that the world is not in a great state; this may sound desperate, but it is not!

This side event is organized by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Costa Rica and IPPNW. Costa Rica is an example to the world that it is possible to live in an unarmed democracy. This was a decision of the government, and this has allowed Costa Rica to become a pacifist, civilian nation, that resolves conflicts and external threats by using instruments provided by International Law. The abolition of the army marked a new experience, showing it is possible for a country to live without an army, and investing these resources in education and health.

I mentioned at the beginning two main threats that we have right now. How is climate crisis dealt with in Costa Rica? Costa Rica was named the second most sustainable country in the world by the World Energy Council. Costa Rica takes care of its nature and its biodiversity.

Let me conclude by this positive note. We are able to reverse threats! Let me cite Former President Rodrigo Carazo Odio, who said, “Costa Ricans have cultivated a spirit of seeking peaceful solutions to conflicts; education has fostered such an attitude and because in the absence of [military] weapons with which to impose an idea, the only weapon left is reason.”

Let us use reason!”