On Tuesday, February 14, 2017, the XXV Session of the General Conference of the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean – OPANAL, was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, within the framework of the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Tlatelolco.

26 delegations from OPANAL Member States attended the Session. Present as observers were delegations from the 6 States Party to the Additional Protocols to the Treaty of Tlatelolco (China, United States, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Russia), 2 delegations representing other Nuclear Weapon Free Zones (Kyrgyzstan, on the of Central Asia and the Philippines, on behalf of Southeast Asia), 7 delegations of International Organizations (ABACC, CTBTO, ICRC, OAS, IAEA, the Presidency of the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly and UNODA), 32 delegations from other Observer States, 10 civil society organizations and 38 special guests (see List of participants).

Since Mexico hosted the XXV Session, the General Conference decided that Mexico would assume the Presidency of the Session. Therefore, His Excellency was elected by acclamation to assume the Presidency of the XXV Session of the General Conference. Dr. Luis Videgaray Caso, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico.

Immediately afterwards, the President of the XXV Session reported that the candidacies of Argentina and Guatemala to occupy the two vice-presidencies had been received. The Excma. Dr. Susana Malcorra, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of the Argentine Republic, and the Hon. Mr. Carlos Raúl Morales Moscoso, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Guatemala, were elected by acclamation as Vice Presidents of the XXV Session of the General Conference.

During his opening speech, the President of the XXV Session, His Excellency. Dr. Luis Videgaray Case, mentioned that: «The Treaty of Tlatelolco represents an achievement of all the countries of our region, 50 years after its adoption we must continue to be champions of peace and international security, our societies still face important challenges, among which stand out "organized international crime, the illicit arms trade and the world drug problem, honoring our best diplomatic tradition, we must address them in a collective and coordinated manner."

For its part, the Secretary General of OPANAL, Ambassador Luiz Filipe de Macedo Soares, thanked the President of Mexico, His Excellency. Mr. Enrique Peña Nieto, for his presence at the XXV Session of the General Conference and stated: The conception of the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean is an example of the vision of the negotiators of Tlatelolco. OPANAL not only controls compliance with the Treaty but also constitutes an instrument through which our region sets forth, beyond its boundaries, our positions concerning disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Subsequently, the President of Mexico, His Excellency. Mr. Enrique Peña Nieto, gave his opening speech on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Tlatelolco and the XXV Session of the General Conference, pointing out: «The Treaty of Tlatelolco is clear proof of the effectiveness and validity of multilateral agreements. Its essence is clear: no State, no matter how powerful, can seek to impose its will against the principles forged by the international community. And he added: «We share the vision that international relations must be based on law, respect and dialogue. Never in intimidation or the use of force."

At the end of his speech, the President of Mexico submitted for the consideration of the General Conference the “Declaration of the Member States of OPANAL on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco)”. The Declaration was adopted by acclamation.

The General Conference adopted Resolution CG/Res.01/2017 by which it was decided to re-elect by acclamation Ambassador Luiz Filipe de Macedo Soares as Secretary General for a second period (January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2021).

Finally, the General Conference adopted Resolution CG/Res.02/2017 "Vote of Thanks" in which it thanked: "the Government of the United Mexican States for its generous invitation to the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean – OPANAL – to hold the XXV Session of the General Conference, within the framework of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Treaty of Tlatelolco, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.»

The General Conference is the supreme body of OPANAL and, therefore, it is the one that makes the most important decisions for the Organization. It is made up of all the Contracting Parties to the Treaty of Tlatelolco, that is, all the 33 States of Latin America and the Caribbean, and holds ordinary meetings every two years, and may also hold extraordinary meetings whenever so provided for in the Treaty of Tlatelolco, or when circumstances so advise in the opinion of the Council.