COMMEMORATION OF THE 46TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TREATY OF TLATELOLCO


• The Treaty of Tlatelolco reflects the determination of the Latin American countries to contribute to international peace and security and to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.

Today marks the 46th anniversary of the adoption and opening for signature of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco). This treaty, the pride of Mexico’s tradition of diplomacy and of Latin America as a whole, represents—for the first time in history—an entire geographical region’s rejection of the idea that nuclear weapons guarantee international security.

As a result of the leadership shown by former Mexican Foreign Secretary Alfonso Garcia Robles, on February 14, 1967 the Treaty of Tlatelolco was opened for signing. This treaty created the first nuclear-weapon-free zone in a densely-populated region of the planet. Ambassador Garcia Robles was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on this issue. The Treaty of Tlatelolco has served as a reference and inspiration for the creation of four other nuclear-free zones in the world, which together include more than 110 countries worldwide.

The Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL), created by the Treaty of Tlatelolco and based in Mexico City, monitors implementation of the treaty and serves as a forum for the exchange of information and consultation amongst the countries of the region. It represents the region vis-à-vis other countries that have created nuclear-free zones. Mexico gives the highest priority to OPANAL and to creating new nuclear-weapon-free zones in the world.

The Tlatelolco Treaty paved the way for the negotiation of the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) by including as one of its criteria the right of States Parties to the peaceful use of nuclear power and their responsibility to comply with the safeguards system of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Mexico, as a strong supporter of disarmament and non- proliferation, will continue to work actively to achieve and maintain a world free of nuclear weapons and to avoid the humanitarian catastrophe that can be wrought by these weapons.

For more information on the Treaty of Tlatelolco, see:

http://www.opanal.org/ inicio.html