12. Question No. 12—Disarmament and Arms ControlIBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister for Disarmament and Arms ControlQuestion No. 12—Disarmament and Arms Control12. IBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control: What outcomes does he want to be achieved when the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference concluded this week?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control): I recently returned from the review conference in New York of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT). Our diplomats there are working hard right now for a successful outcome. As the Prime Minister said in her Guardian op-ed today: right now nuclear catastrophe is not an abstract threat; it's a real-world risk. That's why New Zealand calls on the nuclear-weapon States—the US China Russia France and the UK—to commit to new disarmament and arms control negotiations. That's the measure of success.Ibrahim Omer: Why is the NPT such an important part of the international nuclear disarmament framework?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: The NPT has been the cornerstone of nuclear disarmament efforts worldwide since it came into effect in the middle of the Cold War 52 years ago. Despite recent failures by the nuclear-weapon States to meet their disarmament obligations under the treaty over the long run it has been successful in reducing nuclear arsenals and limiting the number of States acquiring nuclear weapons.Ibrahim Omer: What is the current state of nuclear disarmament efforts worldwide?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: With nuclear arsenals being upgraded and expanded the prospect of a nuclear test in North Korea and President Putin's nuclear threats since his invasion of Ukraine there are alarming signs that the world's becoming more dangerous. It was however reassuring to see President Biden's remarks on the first day of the review conference that the US was ready to negotiate a new arms control agreement with Russia and also to negotiate with China.Ibrahim Omer: How is New Zealand able to have an impact in global disarmament efforts?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: New Zealand diplomats politicians academics and civil society figures have for decades across successive Governments been principled and constructive players in international disarmament efforts reflecting the pride that Kiwis have about our nuclear-free status. I want to take this opportunity to thank both the Hon Jenny Salesa and the Hon Todd McClay who accompanied me in the official delegation in New York which demonstrates the strong support across this Parliament for disarmament work.Ibrahim Omer: What recent reports has he seen on the humanitarian consequence of nuclear war?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: New research by Rutgers University found that a full-scale nuclear war between the US and Russia would see more than 5 million people die of hunger due to the devastating atmospheric impacts of such a conflict. That's why it's critical to maintain the focus on the humanitarian consequences of a nuclear catastrophe as New Zealand does.Simon Court: Does the Minister believe that his efforts to reduce the risk of nuclear weapons will make the world a safer place based on his ability to deliver the KiwiBuild programme?SPEAKER: Order! That question is out of order.