In September 2024, Indonesia became the 6th member of  Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

To mark this significant regional development, Ambassador H.E. Dr. Siswo Pramono, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia was invited an event at Australian Parliament House jointly hosted by the Parliamentary Friends of Indonesia and Parliamentary Friends of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Ambassador Pramono made strong calls for Australia to demonstrate leadership and join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, noting the TPNW’s complementarity with other disarmament treaties, Australia’s role in furthering universality of the TPNW, and the significance of the TPNW in the ASEAN region. 

Remarks on the Indonesian ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. 

“Honorable Co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Indonesia, Honorable Co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, Board members of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Allow me to thank the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) for the kind invitation.

I would like also to thank the Co-Chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Indonesia, and the Co- Chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Indonesia has enacted the Law No. 22 of the Year 2023 on the Ratification of the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. This process received unanimous support from the Indonesian Parliament. We have deposited the document of ratification with the UN Secretary General.

Within ASEAN, 5 other ASEAN Member States have become Parties to the Treaty. They are Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Brunei and Myanmar have signed the Treaty, though have yet to ratify it. The determination of ASEAN Member States to be parties to the Treaty is in line with the spirit of the South East Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone.

The threat of nuclear war has never become more present than now since the end of the Cold War, especially with the situation in Ukraine, Gaza, and Lebanon.

Indonesia has consistently upheld its commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, recognizing these as essential pillars for global security.

Indonesia is concerned with the consecutive failures of the 2015 and 2022 NPT Review Conferences as well as the recent Preparatory Committee meetings in Vienna (2023) and in Geneva (2024).

These setbacks underscore the need for renewed consensus and constructive engagement to ensure the NPT remains effective and credible. Indonesia will, therefore, continue to advocate for the balanced and full implementation of the NPT’s three pillars.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons warrants us a strong hope, for raising moral barriers against nuclear weapons, particularly from the humanitarian aspect. 

The Treaty is an important building block in our collective multilateral efforts to achieve “the global zero on nuclear weapons”.

The Treaty reinforces the existing norms and measures, particularly toward existing disarmament multilateral treaties.

The Treaty has entered into force since January 2021. None of the P5 countries have signed the Treaty. Other countries outside P5 who possess nuclear weapon capabilities have also not done so. 

The success of the Treaty also hinges upon the participation of these countries currently in possession of nuclear weapons.  We need a concerted effort to convince them to become Parties to the Treaty. In doing so, leadership from developed countries such as Australia is needed.

I hope that all countries, including Australia, will follow suit in becoming a Party to the Treaty. We need your leadership.

Indonesia will always support this endeavour, and we are committed to continue engaging in a productive dialogue throughout the entire process.

Thank you.”

Download remarks as a PDF here

Josh Wilson MP, Sharon Claydon MP, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia HE Siswo Pramono, Susan Templeman MP, ICAN Australia Board Member Tara Gutman and Senator David Shoebridge.