Representatives from states parties to a UN treaty banning nuclear arms have pledged continued efforts to realize a world without nuclear weapons in the face of growing threats.

The second Meeting of the States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons wrapped up on Friday. Participants adopted a political declaration on the final day of the five-day gathering at UN headquarters in New York.

The declaration expressed concern about nuclear risks being exacerbated by the modernization of nuclear arsenals and rising global tensions.

It said any use or threat to use nuclear weapons violates international law and undermines global peace and security.

The document noted that there are more countries under extended nuclear security guarantees, and that justifying nuclear deterrence as a legitimate security doctrine "dangerously" increases the risk of nuclear proliferation.

It urged all nations to abandon such approaches and join the nuclear weapons ban treaty.

The declaration said States party to the treaty "cannot stand idly by while signs indicate that humanity is moving closer to global nuclear catastrophe at this dangerous inflection point," it said.

It concluded that the state parties "will work relentlessly to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons for the sake of current and future generations."

Fifty-nine countries and regions participated in the gathering, with 35 states taking part as observers. Japan sat out.

Survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki spoke during the event. They re-emphasized the inhumanity of nuclear weapons based on their experiences.

Some NATO members, including Germany and Belgium, attended as observers. The military alliance is under the nuclear umbrella of the United States.

The next meeting is scheduled to take place in March 2025.