In response to the creation of the OEWG, Abolition 2000 formed a Task Force, which engages with the OEWG. The Abolition 2000 Task Force on the OEWG focuses on key proposals to advance a nuclear weapons convention or a comprehensive framework of agreements to achieve the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons. The Task Force was established during the Abolition 2000 Annual Meeting in Scotland April 17-18, 2013.
The Task Force builds on work that Abolition 2000 has done over the years to promote a nuclear weapons convention. This includes support for the annual UN General Assembly resolution calling for multilateral negotiations to acheive a nuclear weapons convention (entitled UN Resolution on Follow-up to the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion); drafting a Model Nuclear Weapons Convention (now circulated by the UN Secretary-General) which outlines the legal, political, technical and institutional requirements to achieve and maintain a nuclear-weapons-free world; and building support amongst parliamentarians, mayors and civil society for a nuclear weapons convention. (See Abolition 2000 Nuclear Weapons Convention Working Group Report).
The Task Force currently composes over 60 disarmament experts and advocates from more than 20 countries. Some members of the Task Force monitor the OEWG sessions in Geneva and liaise with the government representatives there to support key proposals. Other Task Force members promote the OEWG proposals to their foreign ministries, parliamentarians, media and civil society back home.
Anyone who supports a global treaty (or package of agreements) to abolish nuclear weapons is welcome to join the Task Force.
Basel Peace Office (Switzerland) serves as the logistical host for the Task Force. To join, contact Jana Jedlickova, jana@pnnd.org, coordinator of the Task Force.