The Global Ban Treaty Negotiations started last week in New York, attended by our five-strong Scottish delegation, including Scottish CND organiser, Flavia. They have been sending  back daily reports which are posted at  nuclearban.scot with photographs.The following are some highlights from the first days of the conference:
Day 1
We had the first discussions on the preamble which focuses on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons. Both states and civil society representatives participated. Suggestions were made to strengthen the references to international environmental and humanitarian law.
One of our delegates attended the side event on ‘Verification of the ban treaty: articles 3, 4, 5 and beyond’
Day 2
Four of our group together with Dave from UK CND and Tim from Quakers UK participated in a meeting with the UK –UN mission which was organised by the world council of churches. Our concerns over the UK’s refusal to participate in the conference were expressed. 
We also attended a Pugwash conference panel discussion on the challenges of being a host state to some one else’s nuclear weapons. That was particularly relevant for Scotland. the Netherlands were the only host state attending.
Janet spoke at the book launch of Tim Wallis’, ‘Disarming the Nuclear Argument’. Also taking part were Rebecca Johnstone and Dave Webb. We intend to promote the book here on our return.
 Day 3
This was the day of the Women’s March to Ban the Bomb. We had prominent Scottish banners and despite very heavy rain marched through New York for an hour .
 Day 4
The delegation took part in an American Friend’s Service Committee event. There were speakers from Hiroshima, the Marshall Islands and Israel. This was followed by discussion on past treaty activities. Alyn Ware, from New Zealand explained their shiftd from a pro- to anti-nuclear state and stressed the importance of showing how nuclear weapons make you a target.We welcomed Caroline Lucas MP and discussed our campaign in Scotland . More next week!

Photos can be seen  on the dedicated website,  face book and twitter. 
More general daily updates from the negotiations are available from Reaching Critical Will 

What can you do to support the Scottish team?

2. A new update to SGR’s beginner’s guide to nuclear threats is now online to coincide with the start of the next stage of the Nuclear ban negotiations: http://www.sgr.org.uk/resources/nuclear-weapons-beginner-s-guide-threats           3.Theresa May says she would kill ‘100,000 men, women and children’ with a nuclear bomb. Previous prime ministers have avoided answering the hypothetical question of whether they would ever press the nuclear button

The first major anti-nuclear power conference in Britain for 30 years took place in London on the 17th June. As Women demonstrated for the Nuclear Ban, nuclear power and renewable energy experts, and politicians and activists campaigning for change,set out an alternative to government plans to build a new generation of nuclear power reactors. Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said: “Nuclear power is dirty, dangerous, expensive and absolutely unnecessary. Renewables now demonstrate that final point beyond all question. The idea that nuclear power is worth the risk is finished. Many countries already recognise that and it’s time for the UK to kick its nuclear addiction in the interests of people and planet.” Issues discussed included: what’s wrong with nuclear power, the politics of nuclear power, energy demand & energy efficiency, the scope of renewables in the UK.  A full report of the conference can be read at

There is excellent report prepared by Youth and Student CND: What You Missed at the #NoNeedForNuclear conference