Ban outlines UN role in fight to keep nuclear materials from terrorists

(April 14, 2010) United Nation’s Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday, the final day of the two day Summit in Washington, proposed a series of high-level conferences to bring out efforts, to prevent terrorists from getting their hands on nuclear materials. Although the landmark International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism was adopted by the General Assembly five years ago, only 65 countries – barely a third of UN Member States – have ratified it, Ban told the 47 world leaders gathered at the Nuclear Security Summit. “This is far from satisfactory,” he stressed and added “I am willing to convene a conference at an appropriate time, in consultation with the parties, to review its implementation and to facilitate further ratifications.”
Warning that even one terrorist attack could inflict mass casualties and change our world forever, Ban underscored the need for accurate accounting and transparency of all stockpiles of fissile materials, and for a reliable international instrument to keep their production in check. He called for the Security Council to meet annually at ministerial level, to follow up on its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. Ban also reiterated his appeal to Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, to fully comply with Council resolutions restricting their nuclear programmes. Finally, Ban urged all states that have not yet ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, to do so promptly.