Secretary-General Welcomes Joint Statement by Nuclear-Weapon States on Avoidance of Arms Races

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General welcomes the joint statement by the nuclear-weapon States on the prevention of nuclear war and avoidance of arms races.

The Secretary-General appreciates the recognition by the nuclear-weapon States of their need to comply with their bilateral and multilateral non‑proliferation, disarmament and arms control agreements and commitments, including their binding obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons related to nuclear disarmament.

He is encouraged by the nuclear-weapon States’ commitment to pursue measures to prevent nuclear war, consistent with his long-standing call for dialogue and cooperation to this end. He looks forward to further details about future initiatives.

The Secretary-General takes the opportunity to restate what he has said repeatedly:  the only way to eliminate all nuclear risks is to eliminate all nuclear weapons.  He reiterates his willingness to work with the nuclear-weapon States and all Member States to achieve this goal as soon as possible.