The challenge of regulating the use of nuclear weapons – the Treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons and the Vienna declaration

Abstract

Since the beginning of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the issue of the use of nuclear weapons has become relevant again, and thus the issue of banning their use. Many international governmental and non-governmental organizations pointed out that the use of nuclear weapons is prohibited by an international treaty, and demanded to convene a conference of member states of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Due to the pandemic, the conference was postponed several times and finally took place from June 21 to 23, 2022 in Vienna. On that occasion, the Vienna Declaration and Action Plan were endorsed, which prescribed certain measures to be taken by member states to fully implement the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Thus, the use of nuclear weapons represents the challenge of modern law that we are facing, bearing in mind the growing political intolerance between states. In the article, the emphasis is on the provisions of the mentioned Treaty, as well as on the Vienna Declaration and the Action Plan.