Here are some of the key victories and highlights from 2019 that you helped contribute to. 

1. 80 governments have signed and 34 have ratified the TPNW.

Each one of these governments are chipping away at the legitimacy of these weapons of mass destruction, and are building a new norm that declares that nuclear weapons are unacceptable and illegal. We only need 16 more ratifications to get the treaty to enter into force and for nuclear weapons to become officially prohibited by international law in 2020.

2. Nearly 200 cities, towns and states in nuclear armed and nuclear endorsing states speak out in favour of the TPNW.

From Paris to Washington DC, Sydney, Berlin, Oslo, Manchester, California and many more, local authorities around the world are leading the way in calling for an end to nuclear weapons through the TPNW. All over the world, major cities, states and towns have taken the ICAN Cities Appeal and called on their government to join the treaty. The current count: 197.

3. The Pope condemns nuclear deterrence and urges the world to support the TPNW

As Pope Francis prepared for his first visit to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, an ICAN delegation met with him at the Vatican to ask the Catholic Church to support the TPNW. 

In Japan, the Pope made several strong statements highlighting the plight of Hibakusha (survivors of the bombing), calling for an end to nuclear weapons and in support of the TPNW, reminding the world’s leaders: 

"The use of atomic energy for purposes of war is immoral, just as the possession of atomic weapons is immoral"  and added, "We will be judged on this". 

4. The ICRC launches a campaign in support of the TPNW

Another powerfully ally, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent, launched a huge public campaign to educate people about the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons and the need for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. You can find their two powerful videos seen by millions of people here and here. 

5. Over 1300 elected officials around the world has pledged to work for their country to join the TPNW. 

Through committed work from campaigners around the world, parliamentarians and elected officials are stepping up and putting forward motions, questions, debates in the halls of power. With each parliamentarian that joins our fight, the domestic pressure on joining the treaty grows. You can see the list of parliamentarians here.

These things would not have happen without your support and commitment! 

2020 will see the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We will do everything we can to make sure we mark this year by making nuclear weapons illegal. 

Will you consider chipping in $25, $50 or even $100 to help this historic moment happen? 

With warm thanks for your continued support for this movement, 

Beatrice Fihn
Executive Director
International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
Nobel Peace Prize 2017