Disarmament Architecture ‘at Risk of Collapse’, Secretary-General Warns Eminent Persons Group

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the sixth meeting of the International Group of Eminent Persons for a World without Nuclear Weapons, held in Tokyo today:

I am pleased to address you on your sixth, and final, meeting. You have carried out your work during a period of deepening geopolitical divisions.

The nuclear threat is at heights not seen since the cold war — with escalating rhetoric and another nuclear arms race taking shape.

Meanwhile, the international non-proliferation and disarmament architecture — so carefully constructed over decades — is at risk of collapse.

Dialogue is sorely needed.  But talk is not enough.  We need solutions and action.  This is why your work over the past two years has been so important.

You come from all parts of the world — including nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States.

And you are united in your commitment to ensure that humanity walks a path towards a world without nuclear weapons.

We are running out of time to make progress.  I look forward to your recommendations — and wish you every success in your final meeting.