In April 2009, Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev declared their commitment to “achieving a nuclear free world”. A year later, they signed an agreement to slash their nuclear arsenals by a third. They recognize – as BASIC has been saying for years – that the growing risks of proliferation and nuclear terrorism mean that the world cannot afford nuclear weapons. A reduction of a third is a good first step; however, we need to abolish nuclear weapons completely. Obama has admitted that the goal of zero nuclear weapons will not be achieved during his presidency, so we cannot afford complacency. BASIC is focusing all its resources on our Getting to Zero program, and is working closely with partners around the world who share its aims. We aim to:

– build belief in the vision of a world free of nuclear weapons;
– advocate the steps required to move in that direction; and
– help decision-makers and stakeholders find common ground.

BASIC’s GTZ objectives for 2012-13  
– to promote dialogue between nuclear weapon states on practical steps towards nuclear disarmament, continuing to build on the objectives laid out in the 2010 NPT Review Conference
– to encourage effective dialogue on the subject of a WMD-free zone in the Middle East in the lead up to the regional conference in late 2012
– to encourage NATO to reduce its dependency upon nuclear weapons within its Strategic Concept and posture, and to continue the withdrawal of U.S. tactical nuclear warheads from Europe in a manner that involves and retains the confidence of all allies;
– to work for a freeze on the modernization of nuclear weapons;
– to promote changes to military doctrines to reduce the salience of nuclear weapons;
– to inform the debate in the UK on nuclear options and alternatives in preparation for the Trident replacement decision in 2016;

– to promote US ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty as a step to bringing the Treaty into force;