Observing International Day in General Assembly, Secretary-General Repeats Call for Remaining States to Sign, Ratify Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

Following are UN Secretary-General’s remarks to the informal meeting of the General Assembly to observe the International Day against Nuclear Tests, in New York today:

Let me begin by recognizing and thanking President Nursultan Nazarbayev and the Government of Kazakhstan for their leadership in establishing this Day and keeping the world’s attention on this priority issue.

The goal of ending nuclear tests has been a leading concern throughout my diplomatic career.

As Secretary-General, and depository of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, I have made achieving a legal ban on nuclear testing a personal priority.

I have been to Semipalatinsk in Kazakhstan, the site of 456 tests, including some of the largest in history.

I have met with victims of nuclear tests.

I have witnessed the lasting societal, environmental and economic damage nuclear tests have caused.

Since the first test in New Mexico 70 years ago, the world has endured over 2,000 nuclear tests.  Those tests devastated pristine environments and local populations around the world.

Many have never recovered from the legacies of nuclear testing — including poisoned groundwater, cancer, birth defects and radioactive fallout.

The best way to honour the victims of past tests is to prevent any in the future.

Today let us also send a strong signal that the international community stands united to take action that will lead us to a safer and more secure world — a world free of nuclear weapons.

The entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is an essential building block for achieving this goal.  In that regard, I take note of the presence of Dr. Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary of [the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization].  The [Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty] is a legally binding, verifiable means by which to constrain the quantitative and qualitative development of nuclear weapons.

I welcome the voluntary moratoria on testing imposed by many nuclear-armed States.  But moratoria are no substitute for a [Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty] in force.  The three nuclear tests conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are proof of this.

Almost two decades after the [Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty] was negotiated, it is long past time for the Treaty to enter into force.

On this International Day, I repeat my call on all remaining States to sign and ratify the Treaty — especially the eight necessary for its entry into force:  China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan and the United States.

The United Nations, working with the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, continues to stand ready to assist.

It is our shared responsibility to ensure that nuclear tests are relegated to history.

Let us spare no effort to take this next critical step on the road to a nuclear-weapon-free world.

Thank you for your commitment.