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THE West is preparing for war, boosting defence spending to head off the threat posed by Russia – which is already waging an imperialist conflict on European soil.
In this context, the issue of nuclear weapons has arguably never been more important.
But as leaders including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French premier Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy head to the US to try and talk Donald Trump round from his full-throated support for Vladimir Putin, dozens of other nations will head to the States for a different reason.
And – we are excited to say – The National will be joining them.
Next week will see the third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (3MSP TPNW, for short).
In practice, that means that delegates from across the globe will attend a meeting at the UN in New York to discuss how to push for wider acceptance of a worldwide ban on nuclear weapons.
The TPNW is backed by 73 states parties, including Austria, Ireland, New Zealand, Mexico, and South Africa, and 21 others are signatories, including Colombia, Brazil, and Barbados.
The SNP have committed an independent Scotland to signing the TPNW – but the UK, as a nuclear power, has declined to sign it.
Thanks to a partnership with the philanthropic fund Lex International, The National will be on the ground in New York and at the UN building as thousands of delegates from across the globe meet to discuss how to push nuclear states like the UK into action.
The meeting offers a crucial moment to challenge the status quo. What progress can be made in pushing nuclear states toward disarmament? How will international campaigners counter resistance from powerful governments? And what role can an independent Scotland play in shaping a nuclear-free future?
With exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and expert commentary, The National will ensure you don’t miss a moment of this critical summit.
Stay tuned as we bring you comprehensive coverage from the heart of the debate in New York.
