The nuclear threat must not fade from public consciousness

Dear friends,

As President, I committed Mongolia to remaining a nuclear-weapon-free state. Today, it is a globally recognised leader in this field, and its nuclear-weapon-free status has been reaffirmed by both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.

Mongolia is sandwiched between two nuclear giants – Russia and China. From a young age, my peers and I were acutely aware of this threat on our doorstep and lived with the fear of nuclear disaster. This is why the threat these weapons pose resonates with me on a deeply personal level.

Since the 1960s, leaders have tried to put nuclear arms controls in place. One such agreement is the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the key global framework for preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting disarmament. It is formally reviewed every five years by countries party to it, giving leaders the chance to demonstrate a renewed commitment to nuclear arms control.

However, I feel alarmed by this year’s review conference, which ended in May. Despite weeks of negotiations, states failed to reach a consensus on a relatively cautious final statement due to ongoing security tensions. This is the third successive review conference to end this way.

Yet another failed outcome sends a clear signal: current leaders do not have the political will to address the grave threat these weapons pose. On the contrary, many nuclear states are modernising and expanding their nuclear arsenals, reaffirming the role they play within their security planning. Commitment to nuclear arms control is waning amid resurgent nationalism and geopolitical confrontation.

During the Cold War, mass protests over these weapons were commonplace. Even in our small, rural village in the Altai mountains of Mongolia we demonstrated against nuclear weapons. Civil society helped force dialogue, halt testing, and slow the arms race. Leaders were compelled to act, even amid intense geopolitical tensions. As a result, global nuclear stockpiles were reduced by around 80%.

Yet today, public awareness and concern have faded, despite the destructive power of these weapons being greater than ever before. But their heightened capabilities aren’t the only reason we should be gravely concerned – the danger of nuclear weapons systems escaping human control due to artificial intelligence could soon become a perilous new reality.

We, as global citizens, must not turn a blind eye to this. We must not allow the nuclear threat to continue to slip from public consciousness. Leaders must no longer be allowed to pursue this irresponsible path of destruction.

Public pressure has driven change on this issue before, and it can again. International civil society activists have done important work to build support for nuclear disarmament in the 21st century, including playing a pivotal role in securing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which has now been signed or ratified by a majority of countries. However, more is needed to turn this into a mass global movement.

We all have a responsibility to speak up, engage, and demand greater restraint from decision-makers. Every voice adds to the pressure for change.

With thanks for your ongoing support,

Elbegdorj Tsakhia

01/07/2026

“We must not allow the nuclear threat to continue to slip from public consciousness. Leaders must no longer be allowed to pursue this irresponsible path of destruction.” – Elbegdorj Tsakhia