Global ban on nuclear tests vital for achieving more secure world – UN chief
August 30, 2012: The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday stressed the importance
of a global ban on nuclear tests to achieve a safer and more secure world, calling
on all States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the international treaty
that seeks to achieve this goal. “Nuclear tests remain a threat to human health and
global stability,” Mr. Ban said in his message for the third annual International
Day against Nuclear Tests, observed on 29 August.
The Day highlights the efforts
of the UN and a growing community of advocates, including Member States, intergovernmental
and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, youth networks and media
in informing and educating on the importance of the nuclear-test-ban.
The
General Assembly chose 29 August as the annual commemoration date since it marks the
day in 1991 when Semipalatinsk, one of the largest test sites in the world and located
in north-eastern Kazakhstan, was closed for good. Mr. Ban noted that the Day is an
important opportunity to call attention to the harmful and long-lasting effects of
testing, as well as the continued danger posed by the existence of tens of thousands
of nuclear weapons.
“Around the world, symposia, conferences, exhibitions
and competitions are being held to raise public awareness and galvanize action to
finally end nuclear tests,” he stated. “To achieve this goal, States that have not
yet signed and ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) must do so
without delay.”
The CTBT, which aims to establish a verifiable, permanent
global ban on all types of nuclear explosive tests, enjoys near-universal support
but has yet to enter into force. The Secretary-General is the depositary of the treaty,
which, as of today, has been signed by 183 States and ratified by 157. Ratification
by eight so-called Annex 2 States is required for the treaty to enter into force.
They are China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Egypt, India, Iran,
Israel, Pakistan, and the United States.
Pending the treaty’s entry into force,
Mr. Ban urged all States to uphold the current moratorium on all nuclear test explosions.
“However, while existing voluntary moratoriums on nuclear weapon tests are essential,
they are no substitute for a total global ban,” he reminded them.
The International
Day against Nuclear Tests is being marked around the world with events to call attention
to the dangers of nuclear test explosions, the threats posed to humans and the environment,
and the need to ultimately eliminate all nuclear weapons and their testing.