A/78/PV.105 General Assembly

Today, the General Assembly convenes, for the fifteenth consecutive occasion, to observe the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, which is commemorated annually on 29 August. On this day 33 years ago, the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site in Kazakhstan, where the former Soviet Union conducted 456 nuclear tests, was permanently closed, marking a pivotal moment in the global effort to end unrestrained nuclear testing. We observe this day in honour and remembrance of the victims and in support of all the survivors, mindful of our collective responsibility to ensure that our moral compass stays attuned to the enduring impact of nuclear testing on people’s lives, livelihoods, health and the environment. Importantly, it is a day to reaffirm our commitment to ending nuclear testing once and for all. Despite the progress made to date and the universal understanding of the existential dangers posed by nuclear weapons, the threat they pose still looms unacceptably large, exacerbated by a world once again torn apart by conflict and strife. Geopolitical tensions are at their highest in decades, from Europe to the Middle East, from Africa to Asia. As a result, the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime faces significant setbacks. In recent years, we have witnessed the return of dangerous, irresponsible and reckless rhetoric, suggesting that the real risk of resort to nuclear arms, be it intentional or by accident, may once again not be a far-fetched reality. We have also heard talk of maintaining the readiness of nuclear testing sites, with the possibility of resuming nuclear tests if deemed necessary. We have even seen a nuclear-armed State revoke its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear- Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). I am deeply concerned by those developments, as it seems that we have not yet learned from the painful lessons of the past. I am deeply troubled by the message those actions send to other nations, perhaps even emboldening some to reconsider their arms control commitments and thus further endangering global peace and security. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that we do not turn back the clock and allow the same mistakes to occur once more, with even graver consequences. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty remains our best safety net to ensure that nuclear testing stays where it belongs — in the past. Since its adoption in 1996, the CTBT has garnered near-universal international support. It is encouraging that, to date, 187 Member States have signed the Treaty and 178 have ratified it. I commend Papua New Guinea as the most recent Member State to ratify the Treaty in 2023. The treaty’s benefits to international peace and security are evident in the numbers. Before 1996, over 2,000 nuclear weapons tests were conducted; since then, there have been fewer than a dozen. However, in the face of heightened geopolitical tensions, we cannot take anything for granted. I take this opportunity to urge all Member States that have not yet signed or ratified the Treaty to do so without delay, particularly the annex 2 States, whose ratifications are essential for the Treaty’s entry into force. As I conclude, it is worth emphasizing that history reminds us of the horrors of war and the tragic misuse of human ingenuity to create ever more lethal weapons. Nuclear arms stand as the ultimate manifestation of that dark legacy. Complacency in the face of those threats risks nothing less than the end of civilization as we know it. Now more than ever, we must reaffirm our commitment to upholding and enforcing the norm against nuclear testing. Any threats, preparations or declarations of readiness to resume testing demand our united and unequivocal condemnation, and should any such tests occur, they must be met with swift and decisive collective action. The time to end nuclear tests once and for all is now — not tomorrow, but now. In accordance with rule 70 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly, I now give the floor to Mr. Adedeji Ebo, Director and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, who will deliver a statement on behalf the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Mrs. Izumi Nakamitsu. Mr. Ebo: At the outset, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to you, President Francis, for convening this important annual meeting. I wish to express sincere appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan for its steadfast leadership and commitment to raising awareness about the grave consequences of nuclear testing. Kazakhstan’s initiative in the establishment of this day is testament to that commitment. I am delighted and honoured this morning to address the General Assembly on behalf of the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Mrs. Izumi Nakamitsu. We observe this year’s International Day against Nuclear Tests with a shared sense of responsibility, even amidst challenging times, to ensure that there are no more nuclear tests — not a single one. The global moratorium on nuclear testing that has been sustained throughout the century, with the exception of one State, has been an invaluable voluntary confidence-building measure. That collective restraint underscores the international community’s unabated commitment to preventing the resumption of nuclear tests. Yet, while the moratorium is vital, it remains incomplete without the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The CTBT represents our collective determination to consign nuclear tests to the dustbin of history. I am pleased to welcome the recent signature of the Treaty by Somalia and ratification by Papua New Guinea since last year’s International Day. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Preparatory Commission for the CTBT Organization and its Provisional Technical Secretariat for their relentless efforts in advancing the Treaty’s universalization and strengthening its verification regime. The treaty’s International Monitoring System and the International Data Centre provide the technical foundation that ensures that no nuclear test goes undetected. The robustness of the verification regime is another testament to our collective dedication to a world free from nuclear tests. Yet we cannot ignore the troubling signs that continue to threaten efforts to end nuclear testing and the disarmament and non-proliferation regime as a whole. What are those troubling signs? They include, first, increasing reliance on nuclear weapons as instruments of coercion in geopolitical conflicts, and, secondly, the very notion of nuclear tests being used as a tool of influence. The threat of nuclear weapons use in any form is a grave danger that we must resist with all our might. In that context, I strongly urge all States that have yet to sign or ratify the CTBT to do so promptly and without precondition. That is especially the case for those States whose ratification is required to bring the Treaty into force. Those States that possess nuclear weapons must lead by example, not by hesitation. I echo the Secretary-General’s call for nuclear-weapon States to publicly reaffirm their testing moratoriums and to commit to actions that will not undermine the CTBT. Let there be no doubt that the global moratorium on testing, while essential, is no substitute for a legally binding prohibition on nuclear tests through the CTBT’s entry into force. We use this day to reflect on the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapon testing. In doing so, we must acknowledge the enduring suffering of those affected and the awful damage done to our planet’s environment. As the Secretary-General has repeatedly said, the victims of nuclear testing are some of the world’s most vulnerable communities and pristine environments. Last year’s resolution 78/240, on addressing the legacy of nuclear weapons, was a crucial step towards providing victim assistance and environmental remediation. It was a strong reminder of the relevance of the International Day and the moral imperative to rectify the wrongs of the past. The relics of nuclear testing, still visible in the scars left on our environment and the health and lives of countless individuals, serve as a sombre reminder of our duty to prevent history from repeating itself. The complete cessation of nuclear testing is not only a security necessity, but also a moral obligation that compels us to heal the wounds of the past and safeguard the future of humankind and our planet. We stand at a pivotal moment — long overdue, yet more urgent than ever — to turn our collective resolve into decisive action. The task before us is clear and the solution is well-known. We must end nuclear tests now and condemn them to history once and for all. Let us take a definitive step beyond nuclear tests, united in purpose, to build a lasting legacy of peace and security by actualizing a world free of nuclear weapons.

I thank the Director and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs for his statement. Before proceeding further, and as indicated in my letter dated 23 August 2024, I should like to consult members with a view to inviting the following speakers to deliver keynote addresses at this commemorative meeting: Mr. Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization; Ms. Vivian Okeke, Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency Liaison Office in New York, on behalf of Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the Agency; Ms. Shizuka Kuramitsu, of the Arms Control Association, and former United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs Youth Champion; and Ms. Sharon Squassoni, Professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University. If there is no objection, may I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly, without setting a precedent, to invite those speakers to make statements at this commemorative meeting?

I now give the floor to Mr. Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization.

I thank you, Mr President, for inviting me to address the General Assembly on the critical issue of banning nuclear tests. My thanks also go to Mr. Ebo for delivering opening remarks on behalf of Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Mrs. Izumi Nakamitsu. I congratulate France on the splendid Olympic and Paralympic Games held in Paris. What if there were a medal category for achievements in international diplomacy — a medal for the longest period without nuclear test explosions since the fateful first test in 1945 in New Mexico? May 1998 to October 2006 would win the gold medal for 3,054 days — over eight years — but today we are in a strong silver medal position. It has been 2,558 days since the last explosion in North Korea, in September 2017. We will actually set a fine new record if we get to mid-January 2026 without another test. That is a goal to aspire to. Before 1996, there were more than 2,000 nuclear tests, many far bigger than the bombs that devasted Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Between 1964 and 1984, there was on average one massive nuclear explosion every week — every week. Traces from those tests are still found across the world in plants and animals, in sharks’ eye tissue in the Arctic seas, and even in the corals of the Great Barrier Reef. In 1996, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) was opened for signature. From 24 September 1996 to today, 4 September 2024, fewer than one dozen test events have occurred. In our current century, only one State — North Korea — has tested a nuclear weapon. By 1996, diplomats had been provided with the science to make a test ban verifiable. That required creating an International Monitoring System of over 300 monitoring facilities around the world. We have almost completed that network, at more than 90 per cent. Seismic and hydroacoustic data, infrasound and radionuclide data now stream non-stop into Vienna from those 300 facilities around the whole planet. States know that we will detect any test really fast, and we will know where it has happened with precision well exceeding the original targets of the Treaty. Here is something that may not be immediately obvious. The data streaming into the CTBT International Data Centre does not belong to the CTBT Organization (CTBTO). Rather, it is shared by all of our 187 signatory States. Any of them can download that data for its own purposes, including for natural disaster preparedness, monitoring tsunamis, earthquakes or volcanic eruptions; for studying marine life or climate change; or for helping civil aviation disaster response. Receiving and analysing that data is not easy, and so States need serious scientific capability to do it. Our National Data Centres for All initiative helps States access the data and build their own national capability. All States, bigger or smaller, can enjoy the full benefits of Treaty membership. The CTBTO verification system is credible and it is respected. It works. It is fair. That success is all the more impressive as the Treaty has not yet entered into force. Why? Because, under the Treaty’s annex 2, 44 named States have to ratify the Treaty and 9 have not yet done so. Momentum towards universality is increasing. States are still signing and ratifying; 9 have ratified in the past 30 months. The CTBT now has 187 signatories and 178 ratifications — a mighty international convergence of views. Still, without entry into force we do not have the Treaty’s full set of verification tools — no consultation and clarification procedures, no confidence-building mechanisms and, above all, no on-site inspections, which are the unambiguous, certain way to determine whether an explosion has or has not been a nuclear test explosion. Let me be clear. These are worrisome even dangerous times in many parts of our world. What if things get worse? Let us imagine the following scenario. Let us imagine that our monitoring system detects what looks like a nuclear test; something has been detected with all the characteristics of a nuclear explosion. Let us imagine that the State where the explosion occurred denies that it was a nuclear test. Accusations would fly; risks and tensions would grow fast. The world needs to know exactly what happened. CTBTO on-site inspection would give that answer — conclusive evidence, shared equally with all; transparent, fair and open; no doubt; no risk of misinterpretation. We need that mechanism now more than ever. Yet, sadly, without entry into force, we cannot conduct such an inspection. We are doing what is needed to get ready. On the day the Treaty enters into force, we are aiming to be ready to conduct on-site inspections when required. We have just run a major on-site inspection exercise in Hungary, testing our people, our procedures and our equipment. That is part of the build-up to a full-scale on-site inspection exercise, to be conducted in Sri Lanka next year. We are working hard, but we need only the mandate that entry into force of this remarkable Treaty will give us. So today I urge all States to be open — open to the bold, principled decisions and the bold leadership needed to see the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty enter into force, legally binding and with all the necessary verification tools to give confidence to all States, and for the peace and security of all of humankind. Now that would really deserve the gold medal for achievements in international diplomacy.

I now give the floor to Ms. Vivian Okeke, Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency Liaison Office in New York, on behalf of Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the Agency.

On behalf of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mr Rafael Mariano Grossi, I commend you, Mr. President, for convening this high-level plenary meeting in observance of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests for 2024. We commend the Government of Kazakhstan and other like-minded countries for their commitment over the years to the promotion of the observance of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, some having experienced first-hand the devastating effects of nuclear testing on their territories. As we mark the observance of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, the IAEA continues to assist States, at their request, to characterize residual radioactivity in areas affected by nuclear weapons tests in order to assess whether the safe use of such land is possible or if remedial actions are needed. The IAEA is continuously implementing a project focused on strengthening national capabilities to assess the feasibility of releasing parts of the Semipalatinsk test site to normal economic use. The work will continue in the years to come and serves as a strong reminder of the long-term hazardous effects of nuclear weapons testing. For almost 70 years, the IAEA has helped to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons while making nuclear science and technology available for peaceful purposes, especially to developing countries. Nuclear science and technology contribute directly to more than half of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. They help diagnose and treat diseases such as cancer; they feed the hungry, protect the environment and provide clean energy that powers progress causing the least harm to the planet. Director General Grossi has taken a refreshed approach to the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology by launching major initiatives, including Rays of Hope, to bring access to cancer care where it is most needed; ZODIAC, to increase pandemic preparedness; NUTEC Plastics, to address global plastic pollution; Atoms4Food, to boost food security and tackle growing hunger; and the Marie Skłodowska- Curie Fellowship Programme and the Lise Meitner Programme to enable female scientists to pursue advanced studies in nuclear sciences and related fields, thus addressing the gender gap in the professional ranks of the work force. It is essential that nuclear technology be used safely and securely. While nuclear safety and security are national responsibilities, the IAEA serves as the international forum in which countries work together to develop safety standards and security guidance. The IAEA helps Member States to fulfil their nuclear safety responsibility by developing safety standards that may be used as the basis for national regulations and by providing, upon request, a variety of services, including expert review missions. To better assist Member States in preparing for security challenges posed by non-State actors, in October 2023 the IAEA inaugurated its new Nuclear Security Training and Demonstration Centre as part of IAEA laboratories complex in Seibersdorf. Also, in May this year, the International Conference on Nuclear Security was held in Vienna, under the co-presidency of Australia and Kazakhstan. The ministerial-level event assessed current priorities, prepared for new challenges and engaged in scenario-based policy discussions. Another core function of the IAEA is to verify that countries are not working to acquire nuclear weapons. IAEA inspectors conduct verification at nuclear facilities all over the world. The Agency implements nuclear safeguards — legal and technical measures set out in safeguards agreements — in force with 187 States parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Besides that, 141 States parties have brought additional protocols into force, giving the Agency greater access to locations and information. When Director General Grossi took office in late 2019, 10 NPT non-nuclear-weapon State parties had not yet brought comprehensive safeguards agreements into force, and now there are only 4 remaining. In line with relevant decisions of the IAEA Board of Governors and General Conference, the Director General has also encouraged State parties to conclude eight additional protocols bring them into force. He has so called upon States with the old small quantities protocols to amend or rescind them, as they are no longer adequate for the current safeguards system. The situation at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine remains precarious. The IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya has been present on site since September 2022 and is now in its twenty-second rotation. It is monitoring the observance of the seven pillars of nuclear safety and security during armed conflict and the five principles to help ensure nuclear safety and security at the power plant, the latter established by Director General Grossi at the Security Council in May 2023 (see S/PV.9334). Both measures are reflected in resolution 78/316, adopted in July 2024. On this matter, the IAEA remains the only source of independent information for the international community. The Director General has issued 12 reports on the situation in Ukraine and 245 updates, which are available on the IAEA website. Further, the Director General has briefed the Security Council seven times, most recently on 25 April. The IAEA is also maintaining its presence at Ukraine’s four other nuclear power plants. In fact, today Director General Grossi is on a nuclear safety mission to the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and has held discussions with relevant officials, including the President of Ukraine. In conclusion, let me reaffirm the IAEA’s firm commitment to contributing to a world free of nuclear weapons and nuclear tests. By exercising credible nuclear verification, promoting effective nuclear security and assisting States in the remediation of land areas damaged from the hazardous effects of nuclear testing, the IAEA is making a tangible contribution towards that end.

I now give the floor to Ms. Kuramitsu. Ms. Kuramitsu: At the outset, allow me to thank you, Mr. President, and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs for this opportunity. I thank them for their leadership in keeping the world’s attention on this priority issue as we commemorate the International Day Against Nuclear Testing of last week. My name is Shizuka Kuramitsu. I am a former participant of the #Leaders4Tomorrow project of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs Youth4Disarmament programme, and am now working as a research assistant at a civil society organization called the Arms Control Association in Washington, D.C. As a representative of civil society and a member of an emerging, younger generation of nuclear disarmament researchers and activists, I would like to share the following observations for Member States to consider. Our generation is very concerned. We see the growing dangers of nuclear weapons and feel aghast at the human consequences of past nuclear weapons development, testing and use. I am a native of Hiroshima, where the first nuclear explosion in warfare took place. I grew up surrounded by A-bomb survivors in my hometown. I heard testimonials from generations of hibakusha about the horrors of the first use of nuclear weapons in war. As if the bombings of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were not horrific and inhumane enough, the world’s nuclear-weapon States have detonated more than 2,000 nuclear weapon test explosions. The adverse health, social, environmental and enduring consequences of those detonations is still too poorly understood and the victims and survivors are still in need of medical monitoring and assistance. Their voices need to be heard and answered. We need more research, more resources and more support for nuclear testing victims. We need acknowledgement and apologies for the wrongs committed in the past. We need to see a strong commitment to never repeating the evil of nuclear detonations. About 10 years ago, former Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said, “The best way to honour the victims of past tests is to prevent any in the future”. I agree. But we must continually ask ourselves: Are we doing what is necessary to prevent further detonations for nuclear weapon testing or any nuclear detonations in a war in the future? No, we are not. Collectively, we are not doing enough to strengthen the taboo against the use and testing of nuclear weapons, not doing enough to halt a new arms race, and not doing enough to get back on track to build a world without nuclear weapons. We must recall that generations of concerned citizens, scientists, diplomats, doctors, mothers and fathers from around the world pressed global leaders to ban nuclear testing in the atmosphere, and then everywhere, through the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear- Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Even though the Treaty has not yet entered into force, it remains one of the most successful nuclear risk reduction and non-proliferation agreements in history. But, again, we cannot take it for granted. Just in the past months, a former national security official called for a resumption of United States nuclear testing, and another State withdrew its ratification of the CTBT. As we observe another International Day Against Nuclear Testing, we must honour communities around the world that have been harmed by nuclear testing and past generations who have fought for a global test moratorium. We need more than statements — we need actions. Now is the time to do so by recommitting ourselves to prevent the resumption of nuclear testing through energetic, high-level, bilateral and multilateral diplomacy through all possible channels, the General Assembly, the Security Council and beyond. Going forward, we can rebuild relationships, break the trust deficit, stop the what-aboutism and act in the interest of humanity. As my generation knows, when we start telling ourselves that we are doing enough, we stop moving forward and improving as a person. When we point fingers at one another, even young people know that we will fail to halt the arms race. However, failure must never be an option, particularly for my generation, which will inherit this world and live with its consequences. On behalf of a concerned, younger generation, I call on all United Nations Member States, especially those that have conducted nuclear detonations in the past, to be accountable and commit to all possible efforts to preserve the taboo against nuclear testing so that my generation and the generations that follow can live in a world without the fear of nuclear explosions and in a world that is moving closer to the elimination of all nuclear weapons.

I now give the floor to Ms. Squassoni. Ms. Squassoni: I thank you, Sir, for the honour and privilege of addressing this high-level plenary devoted to the International Day Against Nuclear Tests. Fifteen years ago, when we first began observing this day, the world was much more hopeful about the end of nuclear testing and progress towards nuclear disarmament. In 2009, it seemed possible to leave behind the excesses of the Cold War. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), signed a decade earlier, was not in force, but all States save North Korea were observing a test moratorium. Work had begun between the United States and Russia on the New START Treaty. Today, we stand in a very different place. The scaffolding of agreements, norms and treaties that together constitute our shared nuclear security is on the verge of collapse. The very idea of shared nuclear security is under assault from a fixation on so-called great Power competition. Increased activity at nuclear test sites in the United States, the People’s Republic of China and Russia has raised concerns that nuclear testing could resume. Last year, President Putin declared that if the United States resumed testing, so would Russia. In his words, “No one should have dangerous illusions that global strategic parity can be destroyed”. It is almost as if we have forgotten the lessons of the Cold War. More than 2,000 nuclear tests contributed to building more than 70,000 nuclear weapons at the peak of the arms race. Ten States — nine now that South Africa has denuclearized — acquired nuclear weapons. Nuclear testing confirmed warhead designs, weapons effects, the integration of delivery systems, and safety and security parameters. Nuclear testing helped ascertain how nuclear weapons would operate in different environments, such as space and under water. In a few cases, troops performed exercises with nuclear explosions to simulate nuclear warfighting. In sum, nuclear tests helped make nuclear weapons more usable. Lest we forget, the worst excesses occurred after a three-year United States-Soviet test moratorium lapsed in 1961. The Soviets exploded 57 nuclear weapons that year and 83 the next. Not to be outdone, the United States exploded 105 devices in 1962. That insanity was halted by the 1963 Partial Test Ban Treaty, but underground testing continued. Later, the 1974 Threshold Test Ban Treaty limited the size of United States and Soviet underground tests. It took another 22 years to agree to the verifiable, legally binding Comprehensive Nuclear- Test-Ban Treaty. Today, the notion that nuclear testing is integral to global strategic parity is a dangerous remnant of Cold War thinking. While perhaps not sufficient to avoid the next nuclear arms race, the verifiable ban on nuclear testing is certainly necessary to avoid the highest humanitarian, environmental and security costs. The ratification of the CTBT is therefore crucial. Russia’s withdrawal of its ratification last year means that nine annex 2 States must act. Those that have tested extensively already — Russia, the United States and the People’s Republic of China — benefit more from a verifiable ban than from a resumption of testing. Indeed, Russia benefited more when it was solidly in the Treaty. Those not having tested — Egypt, Iran and Israel — have much more to gain politically and economically from ratifying the CTBT than not. Egypt and Israel ratifying the Treaty together would carry significant weight in the Middle East. The remaining three — Pakistan, India, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea — will undoubtedly be outliers and will need to be convinced to ratify. Surely, the five permanent members of the Security Council (P-5) will be able to provide incentives. A CTBT that is in force will allow on-site inspections of national activities to provide confidence in compliance with the treaty. Until then, transparency initiatives by key States, especially with CTBT Organization participation, can help reduce tensions. Russia and China should follow the United States lead here and open their test sites to visits. Transparency and accountability are essential to promoting shared nuclear security, as are policies and actions to support the spirit of the Treaty — for example, refraining from developing new warhead designs — that help achieve or complement its objectives. In conclusion, global security requires decisive steps to reduce reliance on nuclear weapons. I urge the Assembly to press the P-5 and annex 2 States to work together to eliminate nuclear testing completely and verifiably, to work towards the earliest possible entry into force of the CTBT, and to take those decisive steps to rid the world of nuclear dangers together.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Congo, who will speak on behalf of the Group of African States.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of African States. The African Group expresses appreciation to you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting and for your support to nuclear disarmament. The Group expresses its appreciation for the valuable message delivered on behalf of the Secretary-General and the statement of the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear- Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) Organization. The fact that we are convening here today is an indication of our willingness and determination to see an end to nuclear tests as a necessary measure pending the total elimination of nuclear weapons. To that end, the African Group supports the goals of the CTBT, which seeks a comprehensive ban on nuclear tests, with all their attendant humanitarian and environmental ramifications, and an end to all vertical and horizontal proliferation of nuclear weapons. The total elimination of nuclear weapons remains the only absolute guarantee against their use or threat of use. In that context, the Group reiterates the urgent need for our planet, including outer space, to be free of nuclear weapons, as their presence constitutes an existential threat to global peace and security, as well as the future survival of humankind. The Group supports the principle of complete nuclear disarmament as the utmost prerequisite for maintaining international peace and security. It is in that spirit that we recall the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), as well as the entry into force of the landmark Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which, among other prohibitions, also comprehensively prohibits nuclear weapons tests. The Group reiterates its support for efforts to bring into force the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and for the Vienna Action Plan, adopted to facilitate the effective and timely implementation of the TPNW. In that regard, the Group wishes to urge nuclear-weapon States and those under the so-called nuclear umbrella to seize the opportunity to sign and ratify the Treaty at an early date, as well as to pursue the goal of a nuclear weapon-free world. The African Group reiterates its deep concern over the slow pace of progress by nuclear-weapon States to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals, in accordance with their legal obligations and undertakings under article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The Group therefore insists on the implementation of all agreed measures and undertakings by the nuclear-weapon States in the context of the NPT, including commitments regarding the achievement of the universality of the NPT and the establishment of a zone free of all weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. The Group therefore regrets the failure of two consecutive sessions of the Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT to reach consensus on a final outcome document, despite the efforts made by many delegations. Furthermore, it calls upon nuclear-weapon States to demonstrate the necessary political will to enable the upcoming Review Conference in 2026 to reach concrete recommendations towards achieving nuclear disarmament and the universality of the Treaty. The African Group reiterates its commitment to the Treaty of Pelindaba, which reaffirms the status of Africa as a nuclear-weapon-free zone and as a shield for the African territory, including by preventing the stationing of nuclear explosive devices on the continent and prohibiting the testing of those weapons in the entire space that constitutes the African continent. In the same vein, the African Group recalls the convening of four sessions of the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction, pursuant to decision 73/546, including its most recent session, held in November under the presidency of Libya. We therefore call on all invited States to constructively continue to engage in good faith in order to negotiate a legally binding treaty that satisfies the implementation of the 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference resolution on the Middle East. That was an integral and essential part of the package of decisions and the basis upon which the indefinite extension of the NPT was agreed. We also restate our concern over the failure to implement the Action Plan of the 2010 NPT Review Conference regarding the establishment of a Middle East zone free from nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. The Group wishes to reiterate the continued validity of those commitments and obligations until their full implementation. The Group wishes to emphasize humanitarian considerations in the context of all deliberations on nuclear weapons, particularly its serious concern over the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the use or detonation of nuclear weapons, either by accident or as a deliberate action. The Group calls on all States, particularly nuclear-weapon States, to take into consideration the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the use of those weapons on human health, the environment and vital economic resources, among others, and to take necessary measures aimed at dismantling and renouncing those weapons. The Group wishes to reiterate the importance of achieving universal adherence to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, taking into consideration the special responsibilities of nuclear-weapon States to encourage annex 2 countries, in particular those that have not acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and that continue to operate unsafeguarded nuclear facilities, to sign and ratify. The Group believes that the CTBT offers hope of halting the further development or proliferation of nuclear weapons, thereby contributing to the goal of nuclear disarmament. The Group calls on the international community to renew its support for promoting the entry into force of the CTBT and calls on nuclear-weapon States and those yet to accede to the NPT, which are listed in annex 2 of the Treaty and have not yet signed or ratified the CTBT, to do so without further delay and without attaching any condition. The Group takes note of the Conference on Facilitating Entry into Force of the CTBT, held during the high-level week of the seventy-eighth session of the General Assembly. To conclude, the African Group once again calls on all States to work persistently to facilitate the expeditious entry into force of the CTBT and to fulfil the goals and objectives of a nuclear-weapon-free world, taking into account the special responsibility of the nuclear-weapon States in that regard.

I now give the floor to the representative of the United States of America, who will speak on behalf of the host country.

Let me begin by thanking you, Sir, for organizing this high- level plenary to commemorate the International Day against Nuclear Tests. For more than six decades, the world has enjoyed freedom from nuclear explosive tests occurring in the atmosphere, in outer space or under water. But despite the great impact of the 1963 Limited Test Ban Treaty and the norm it fostered, the goal of a complete, global, legally binding ban on all nuclear weapon test explosions in all environments remains unrealized. The vital final step to reaching that goal and a concrete step towards a world without nuclear weapons would be the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test- Ban Treaty (CTBT). The United States was the first to sign the CTBT when it was opened for signature in September of 1996 and we remain firmly committed to achieving its entry into force. We call on all States, and especially those listed in annex 2 of the Treaty, to ratify the CTBT without waiting for others to do so. Unfortunately, in the past year, we have seen the number of non-ratifying annex 2 States increase from eight to nine. The decision late last year by the Russian Federation to withdraw its long-standing ratification of the CTBT has moved the world further from, not closer to a day when the promise of a global, legally binding nuclear explosive test ban can be achieved. That is part of a continuing trend of Russian efforts to remove constraints on its nuclear weapons programme. Those efforts also heighten nuclear risks and raise tensions in the context of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine. We urge the Russian Federation to reverse course and renew its ratification of the CTBT without delay. For more than 30 years, the United States has maintained a zero-yield moratorium on nuclear explosive tests, consistent with the scope of the CTBT. Let me be clear. We have no need and no plans to conduct a nuclear explosive test. We call on all States possessing nuclear weapons to declare or maintain such a zero-yield moratorium. While those voluntary moratoriums are no substitute for the legally binding ban that an in-force CTBT would provide, they reinforce the international norm against nuclear explosive testing as we all work to bring the CTBT into force. The United States is fully committed to transparency in our nuclear weapons programme. Most recently, that was reflected in our declassification and public release of our nuclear stockpile numbers just over one month ago. That commitment extends also to the area of nuclear testing, where we have provided substantial transparency into our stockpile stewardship and subcritical experiment programmes for decades. We recently welcomed international diplomats to Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and to the Nevada National Security Site outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. The visit demonstrated the strong United States support for the CTBT and provided unprecedented transparency into our nuclear enterprise. We conducted a similar visit in 2023 with a group of experts from several non-governmental organizations. As those visitors saw, a great deal of the activities at the Nevada National Security Site are focused on improving both our national and international capabilities to more effectively monitor for nuclear explosions. Other activities support our nuclear explosive testing moratorium by allowing us to ensure the safety of our nuclear stockpile without the need to conduct nuclear explosive testing. While we have long been open about those activities, we can appreciate the benefit of being able to see it with one’s own eyes. We challenge other nuclear-weapon States to undertake similar transparency at their nuclear test sites and to address concerns and questions regarding activities of those sites. We continue to explore other ideas to provide further transparency into our own nuclear enterprise and encourage other countries to reflect on ways to offer transparency into theirs. Despite the difficult international security environment in which we find ourselves today, all States must recommit to the goal of a global, legally binding ban on nuclear explosive tests.

I now give the floor to the representative of Honduras, who will speak on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

I have the honour to address today’s high-level meeting on behalf of the 33 States members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). We welcome our special guests. The States members of CELAC recall resolution 64/35, adopted by the General Assembly in December 2009, and resolution 72/51, adopted in December 2017, whereby 29 August was declared International Day against Nuclear Tests in order to increase awareness of and education on the effects of nuclear weapons test explosions or any other nuclear explosions, and the need for their cessation as one of the means to achieve the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons. The States members of CELAC reiterate their strong support for the commemoration of the International Day against Nuclear Tests and reaffirm their commitment to upholding the global standard against nuclear tests. Nuclear explosions of all kinds and non-explosive nuclear tests aimed at developing and enhancing weapons capabilities threaten human life, have disastrous long-term environmental consequences and exacerbate geopolitical tensions, thereby endangering international peace and security. CELAC member States agree that the mere existence of nuclear weapons represents a threat to humankind and that the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons constitutes a crime against humanity and a violation of international law, including international humanitarian law and the Charter of the United Nations. Therefore, we issue a strong call on States to refrain from undertaking nuclear tests. Moreover, other nuclear explosions or any other relevant experimental tests anywhere in the world, including subcritical experiments and those conducted through simulations aimed at developing and improving nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, contravene the object and purpose of the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime, the obligations and provisions contained in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the spirit and letter of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test- Ban Treaty (CTBT), while undermining its effects as a disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation measure. CELAC expresses its appreciation to the 187 States that have signed and the 178 States that have ratified the CTBT, and in that regard welcomes the fact that Latin America and the Caribbean is a region in which all States have signed and ratified that instrument. That reinforces the region’s support for nuclear disarmament and the international non-proliferation regime. Similarly, the States members of CELAC welcome and support the convening of the thirteenth Conference on Measures to Facilitate the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which was held in New York on 22 September 2023 and co-chaired by Panama, a member of our region. The States members of CELAC reiterate the importance and urgency of the entry into force of the Treaty and urge States that have not yet signed or ratified it, especially those whose ratification is essential for the entry into force of the Treaty, to do so without further delay. CELAC member States promote respect for the sovereignty of all States and, by advocating for non-proliferation policies, reaffirm that those should not undermine the rights of States to engage in nuclear science and technology for safe and peaceful uses. To that end, CELAC member States appreciate the approval by the States members of CELAC and the International Atomic Energy Agency of the joint action plan for cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology for sustainable development during the period 2022-2023. The States members of CELAC commit ourselves to strengthening existing capacities at the regional level, especially through the Regional Cooperation Agreement for the Promotion of Nuclear Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean, in order to provide concrete responses to the challenges posed by its implementation in the areas of health, agriculture, food security, the environment and energy, among others. No State should use nuclear weapons in any circumstances, and their use or threat of use constitutes a crime against humanity and an abhorrent violation of international law. States must respect and comply fully with the obligations and provisions contained in the various instruments that constitute the non-proliferation architecture, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. In addition, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty has been and remains a key component of efforts to achieve complete nuclear disarmament and enjoys the overwhelming support of the international community. Nuclear weapons can decimate humankind and set us back decades in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. CELAC member States have therefore taken positive measures to address that existential threat. Proof of this is that we are a party to the 1967 Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean, which defined our region as the first nuclear-weapon-free zone in a densely populated territory. In addition, through the declaration we made in Havana in 2014, we proclaimed our region as a zone of peace on the basis of respect for the principles and norms of international law. CELAC also reiterates the full validity of the declarations on nuclear disarmament adopted by the Community on 20 August 2013, in Buenos Aires; on 29 January 2014, in Havana; on 29 January 2015, in Belén, Costa Rica; on 27 January 2016, in Quito; on 25 January 2017, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and on 24 January 2023, in Buenos Aires. The States members of CELAC take note of the first and second Meetings of the States Parties of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which were held in 2022 and 2023, and wish every success to Kazakhstan in presiding over the third Meeting of States Parties, to be held from 3 to 7 March 2025 at United Nations Headquarters. We encourage States that have not yet ratified the Treaty to do so without delay, thereby contributing to international peace and security. We urge the nuclear-weapon States to fulfil their unequivocal obligations to eliminate their nuclear arsenals under article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and the commitments arising from the Review Conferences of the Parties to the NPT. While expressing our disappointment over the consecutive failure of the ninth and the tenth NPT Review Conferences to adopt a consensual outcome document, we stress that this failure should serve as a stimulus to work harder towards achieving nuclear disarmament. We reaffirm our strong commitment to that end. The full implementation of the ban on nuclear testing must remain a top priority on the agenda of the international community, without which we will not achieve our common vision of a safer and more nuclear- weapon-free world. The States members of CELAC reaffirm the character of their region as a nuclear- weapon-free zone and reiterate their determination, declared in the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, to continue to promote nuclear disarmament as a priority objective and to contribute to general and complete disarmament in order to promote the strengthening of confidence among nations.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, who will speak on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ASEAN remains deeply committed to strengthening multilateralism and enhancing international cooperation to ensure and uphold global peace and security, particularly in the face of numerous challenges confronting the world today. ASEAN supports the international community’s common efforts towards realizing a world free of nuclear weapons. The declining commitment and cooperation in global disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control mechanisms are highly concerning. We also remain concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and the unacceptable risks posed by their continued existence. The total elimination of nuclear weapons is the only way to guarantee against their use and threat of use. Therefore, we call on all countries, especially the nuclear-weapon States, to maintain and fully implement their obligations and commitments under the relevant mechanisms and to demonstrate good faith, promote mutual understanding, enhance cooperation and ensure responsible and collective actions to realize a world without nuclear weapons. Pending the total elimination of nuclear weapons, ASEAN reaffirms its collective position against nuclear tests and stresses the importance of achieving universal adherence to the Comprehensive Nuclear- Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) without delay. As a testament to ASEAN’s strong commitment to the international norm against nuclear testing, all ASEAN member States have ratified the CTBT. We urge the remaining annex 2 States to sign and ratify the CTBT as soon as possible in order to realize its entry into force. ASEAN also recognizes that the dangers of nuclear testing continue to be of utmost concern. Therefore, the situation in all regions that underwent nuclear test explosions must not be forgotten. We encourage the international community to assist those regions. ASEAN reaffirms its recognition of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of global nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. We welcome the recent convening of the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT and hope that this review cycle will yield substantive outcomes and crucial momentum towards comprehensive disarmament under strict international control. Strong political will among NPT States parties is essential to preserving the credibility and integrity of the Treaty. We call on the nuclear-weapon States to fulfil their obligations in advancing nuclear disarmament in accordance with article VI of the NPT and agreed commitments of NPT Review Conferences. We stress that it is necessary for the nuclear-weapon States to provide unconditional, legally binding negative security assurances and adopt a no-first-use policy regarding nuclear weapons, as well as to reduce and eliminate the risk of unintentional and accidental use of such weapons pending the total and complete elimination of nuclear weapons. Additionally, the nuclear-weapon States must make an unequivocal commitment not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear- weapon States and within nuclear-weapon-free zones. ASEAN reiterates that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is a historic agreement that contributes towards global nuclear disarmament and complements other existing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation instruments. ASEAN also reiterates our commitment to preserving the South-East Asia region as a zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction, as enshrined in the ASEAN Charter and the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, known as the Bangkok Treaty. We remain committed to enhancing the profile of the Bangkok Treaty globally, including by engaging other nuclear weapon-free zones. We welcome the adoption, on 4 December 2023, of the ASEAN-sponsored biennial resolution 78/39, on the Bangkok Treaty, which reiterates the importance of the Treaty in contributing to international peace and security. ASEAN remains deeply concerned over the recent surge in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile testing and ballistic missile launches and the increased tension in the Korean peninsula, which are a worrisome development that threatens peace and stability in the region. We call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to comply fully with all relevant Security Council resolutions and call for peaceful dialogue among the concerned parties, and we will continue working towards the realization of lasting peace and stability in a denuclearized Korean peninsula. We call for the full implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions and note of international efforts to bring about the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula in a peaceful manner. Diplomatic efforts, including the creation of an environment conducive to peaceful dialogue among all concerned parties, should remain a priority. ASEAN reiterates its readiness to play a constructive role, including by utilizing ASEAN-led platforms, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, in promoting an atmosphere conducive to peaceful dialogue amongst the concerned parties. In conclusion, as we commemorate the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, ASEAN reaffirms its unwavering commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons. The United Nations continues to be a critical platform for fostering trust and confidence and upholding peace and security to ensure that the horrors of nuclear testing remain a relic of the past. Let this International Day serve as a reminder of our shared responsibility to foster a safer and more secure future for all, in a world where the threat of nuclear weapons no longer looms over humankind.

I now give the floor to the representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia, as well as Andorra, Monaco and San Marino, align themselves with this statement. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is one of the key pillars of the international disarmament and non-proliferation architecture contributing to global peace and security. The Treaty’s strong legitimacy and vital importance for our collective security is pointed out in Security Council resolution 2310 (2016) and the annual General Assembly resolutions relating to the CTBT. The CTBT’s entry into force remains a priority for the European Union. This high-level meeting provides another opportunity to call for the Treaty’s prompt entry into force and universalization. All EU member States have ratified the Treaty and consistently call upon all States that have not yet done so, in particular the remaining annex 2 States, to sign and ratify the CTBT without any preconditions or further delay. We continue to deeply deplore the unprecedented decision by the Russian Federation, contrary to its commitments under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and other agreements, to revoke its ratification of the CTBT. In the meantime, it is crucial for international peace and security that all States fully observe the moratorium on nuclear test explosions or any other nuclear explosions, and refrain from any action contrary to the object and purpose of the Treaty. In that regard, we call on all States to continue to honour their engagements. We warmly welcome the latest ratification of the CTBT by Papua New Guinea in March, bringing the total number of ratifications to 178. The current security environment is marked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, increased tensions and continuing proliferation crises. Russia must immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine and fully respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognized borders. The EU urges the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to comply with its obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions to refrain from testing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. We urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to abandon its existing nuclear weapons programmes, as well as programmes to build delivery systems and other weapons of mass destruction, in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, as required by Security Council resolutions. Any nuclear test must be met with a swift, united and robust international response. We urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to sign and ratify the CTBT without any preconditions or further delay. The EU stands ready to support any meaningful diplomatic process and is committed to working with all relevant partners to build a basis for sustainable peace and security and take steps aimed at pursuing the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Following the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s previous six nuclear tests, the CTBT Organization (CTBTO) demonstrated its invaluable role by quickly providing reliable and independent data, enabling the international community to respond appropriately and swiftly. The CTBTO has provided the world with a truly global, hi-tech monitoring system for nuclear explosions — something that no single country could do. The EU reiterates its confidence in the CTBT’s verification regime and looks forward to the completion of the International Monitoring System (IMS). We recognize its deterrence effect against non-compliance with the Treaty and its ability to respond to threats to international peace and security. Ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of the verification regime, through adequate funding, remains crucial. In addition to the CTBT’s obvious contribution to international peace and security, the EU advocates fully exploiting the potential benefits of civil and scientific applications of IMS data. In that regard, the EU financially supports the CTBTO’s verification regime and integrated capacity-building activities in developing countries. Since 2006, the EU has provided the CTBTO with voluntary contributions of more than €29.5 million, and it will continue to do so. Finally, we recall that the EU is a supporter of 10 actions on the Secretary General’s Agenda for Disarmament, including on promoting the entry into force of the CTBT. In that regard, we praise the efforts of the coordinators of the article XIV process, Norway and Panama, and welcome the continuous efforts of the Group of Friends of the CTBT towards entry-into- force and universality. The EU will continue to use every opportunity to call for the CTBT’s prompt entry into force in all relevant international forums and in meetings with the countries that have not yet signed or ratified the Treaty, notably the remaining annex 2 States.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Arab States.

I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of Arab States on the occasion of the International Day against Nuclear Tests. The International Day represents the continued determination and commitment of the international community to end nuclear tests, the terror they cause to humankind and the serious damage they cause to the environment and public health, as well as the ongoing obstruction of the goal of the complete elimination of nuclear weapons, which pose a threat to international peace and security, especially in the light of current geopolitical tensions and the recent political escalation. I would like to express the Group’s appreciation for the statements delivered by the President of the General Assembly, the Deputy High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Mr. Ebo, the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization and the other speakers, all of whom emphasized the urgent need for a complete ban on nuclear testing, within the framework of the ultimate goal of eliminating all threats posed by nuclear weapons, which are undoubtedly the most incompatible with humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law and the most threatening to international peace and security. In that context, the Group expresses its deep concern about the serious threat facing humankind as a result of the continued existence of nuclear weapons, which must be eliminated in a comprehensive, verifiable and irreversible manner, in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which is the real, sustainable and most effective guarantee against their use or threat of use. The Group regrets the failure of successive Review Conferences of the Parties to the NPT to reach an agreement on a final document, and calls for action to support the Treaty and the non-proliferation regime at the international level, for serious work to reach important and influential outcomes at the upcoming eleventh Review Conference, and for building upon the important discussions held at the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the Review Conference, held in July in Geneva, in a way that contributes to preserving the credibility of that historic and important reference Treaty. The Arab Group stresses the need to confront the dangers resulting from the continued possession of nuclear weapons by nuclear-weapon States, including their efforts to modernize and develop them qualitatively and in accordance with their new military doctrines and the associated conduct of nuclear tests. The dangers resulting from those tests represent a serious threat that the international community must address seriously and continuously in order to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. The Arab Group believes that the continued existence of nuclear weapons and the failure to implement article VI of the NPT and the related binding commitments that were adopted at several sessions of the Treaty Review Conferences, including those related to realizing the universality of the Treaty, represent a serious threat to international peace and security. The Group categorically rejects pretexts claiming that the possession of nuclear weapons is necessary for international security; that international conditions are not conducive to advancing the implementation of nuclear disarmament commitments; that certain previous commitments are no longer important, relevant or appropriate for the current international environment; or that conditions should be set on the implementation of previous commitments related to nuclear disarmament. The Arab Group once again calls on the nuclear- weapon States to assume their responsibilities in implementing the agreed goals and commitments and to totally and completely eliminate their nuclear arsenals in accordance with a specific timetable. That is the very least they should do to turn the page on the terror and serious and long-term damage caused by the thousands of nuclear tests they have carried out in the past. From that perspective, the Arab Group stresses the importance of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in strengthening the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, and the special responsibility of the nuclear-weapon States and States that have not acceded to the Non-Proliferation Treaty in promoting efforts to achieve the universality of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and facilitate its entry into force. Our Group takes note of the signatures of 187 countries, the latest of which is the sister country of Somalia. It also encourages all countries, including the annex 2 countries, to join the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, while emphasizing the special responsibility of nuclear-weapon States in accordance with the tenth step of the Action Plan of the 2010 NPT Review Conference in that regard, in addition to States and parties that have not yet joined the Treaty. The Arab Group also calls for the pursuit of international and regional efforts to facilitate the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test- Ban Treaty more than 25 years after its signing, and expresses its concern about any negative developments in that regard, as well as about the possibility of any nuclear-weapon State abandoning the current voluntary moratorium on nuclear tests and working to develop new types of tests and simulations. Despite the tension and instability that characterize the Middle East region, the Arab countries have demonstrated their good will and sense of responsibility by acceding to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Our countries have fully complied with their obligations within its framework and participated effectively in the negotiations for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. We continue to support the activities of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, in fulfilment of the objectives stipulated in the Commission’s mandate. The Arab Group stresses the need to intensify efforts to address the strategic imbalance in the Middle East region and emphasizes the importance of strengthening the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in nuclear verification in a professional and impartial manner. We call on States to strive and cooperate fully with the Agency to ensure the peaceful nature of their nuclear programmes in a manner consistent with their legal obligations, and to prevent the emergence of an arms race in the region by implementing the pledges agreed upon within the framework of international disarmament and non-proliferation mechanisms and adherence to the comprehensive safeguards agreement. The Group calls on Israel, the only party in the region that has not joined the NPT, to accede to the Treaty without preconditions or further delay and to place all its nuclear facilities under comprehensive IAEA safeguards. The Group expresses its grave concern over Israel’s possession of nuclear capabilities, which pose a serious and continuing threat to the security of neighbouring Arab and other States. The Arab Group also stresses the need to establish a zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, in accordance with the relevant resolution adopted at the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the 2010 Action Plan, Security Council resolutions 487 (1981) and 678 (1990), and subsequent relevant resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency. In that context, the Arab Group stresses the importance of the United Nations Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction, convened in accordance with decision 73/546, and welcomes the success of its first four sessions, the most recent of which was held in November under the chairmanship of the sisterly State of Libya, and the important, constructive and rich discussions that have been held at all those meetings, as well as the valuable outcomes and reports that resulted from them, which will continue to be built upon, including at the upcoming fifth session under the chairmanship of sisterly Mauritania. The Arab Group urges all parties invited to the Conference to participate in good faith with a view to negotiating a binding treaty that would contribute to strengthening peace and security at the regional and international levels, and to achieve results commensurate with the global ambition to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.

I now give the floor to the representative of Japan, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

I am delivering this statement on behalf of the Group of Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT): Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Japan and the Netherlands. We thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this meeting. The CTBT is a core element of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. The norm against nuclear testing is one of the most widely accepted and most effective contributions of the CTBT to countering nuclear proliferation, as well as to containing and reducing nuclear threats. Achieving a world free of nuclear weapons begins with an effective, universal and verifiable commitment to a world free of nuclear testing — a world where everyone can be reassured that moratoriums on nuclear tests are being maintained. The CTBT’s entry into force must be achieved without further delay. Global support for the CTBT cannot be overstated. With the signatures of 187 States and the ratifications of 178 States, the CTBT is approaching universality. We commend Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea for recently completing their ratification of the Treaty and welcome the signing by Somalia. We applaud the persistent and impressive efforts of the Executive Secretary of the CTBT Organization, Mr. Robert Floyd, and his team to achieve further ratifications. We urge all States that have not yet done so — particularly the now nine annex 2 States — to sign and ratify the Treaty without further delay. In that context, it is regrettable that Russia chose to revoke its ratification last year. We call on Russia to reverse that decision without delay and encourage all other States to re-emphasize the necessity of the Treaty’s entry into force. The CTBT has been instrumental in creating and promoting the global norm against nuclear testing. Its verification regime has so far successfully detected every declared nuclear test. We recall our condemnation of the six nuclear tests conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea since 2006, which undermine the CTBT’s objective and purpose, and strongly urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to fully comply with all relevant Security Council resolutions and to take concrete actions towards the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of its nuclear weapons, ballistic missile and related programmes. We reiterate that any new nuclear test by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea would be irresponsible, unacceptable and in violation of Security Council resolutions. We call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to sign and ratify the CTBT as a matter of priority. Pending the entry into force of the Treaty, we call upon all States to declare or maintain their existing national moratoriums on nuclear weapon test explosions and any other nuclear explosions, as an example of responsible international behaviour that contributes to international peace and stability, and to refrain from any action that would undermine the Treaty’s objective and purpose. We welcome the continuous and ongoing steps and work to complete the CTBT verification regime. Over 90 per cent of the network foreseen by the Treaty has been established. The entry into force of the CTBT would allow for the use of on-site inspections as the ultimate verification measure once the Treaty enters into force. In that context, we look forward to the integrated field exercise in Sri Lanka in 2025, which will further strengthen the CTBTO’s on-site inspection capabilities. It is worth noting that the monitoring system’s technical assets also have diverse scientific and civil applications that benefit all States, including monitoring nuclear accidents and detecting volcanic activity, earthquakes and tsunamis. Ending nuclear testing is also vital to preventing the harmful consequences that nuclear tests could have for people and the environment. In that context, we also welcome resolution 78/240, put forward by Kazakhstan and Kiribati last year, on addressing the humanitarian and environmental legacy of nuclear tests. We recognize the importance of individual States’ financial commitments to ensuring the completion and maintenance of the regime and reaffirm our commitment to supporting the long-term sustainability of all elements of the verification regime, pending the entry into force of the Treaty. The value of the CTBT is unquestionable and its successes are already visible, but we cannot take for granted the global norm against nuclear testing until it is legally binding. As such, we urge all States that have not already done so to sign and ratify the Treaty and encourage States signatories to support continued efforts to strengthen the Treaty and its verification regime, and to achieve its entry into force as soon as possible.

I now give the floor to the representative of Norway, who will speak also on behalf of Panama.

I would like to make the following statement on behalf of Norway and Panama as coordinators of the process for the facilitation of the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test- Ban Treaty (CTBT) 2023-2025. On the occasion of the International Day against Nuclear Tests, we reaffirm our commitment to realizing a world free of nuclear testing and renew our resolve to achieve the entry into force of the CTBT. The negotiation of the CTBT stands as a monumental achievement in global efforts to preserve peace, security and stability by prohibiting all nuclear explosions. The Treaty plays an indispensable role in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and curbing the potential for global instability. Over the years, we have successfully built up a robust verification system — one that is able to conduct real-time monitoring of nuclear test activities anywhere on Earth. That is a global effort we can be proud of. Yet the only way to secure an enduring and verifiable prohibition of nuclear testing is through the CTBT’s entry into force and universalization. Norway and Panama are convinced that facilitating the universalization and entry-into-force of the CTBT meets the national interests of all States. We are already on overtime to finish the work we started decades ago. We continue to call on all States that have not already signed and/or ratified the Treaty, particularly those pertaining to annex 2, to do so without further delay. We emphasize that annex 2 States bear a special responsibility for the fate of the Treaty. In that context, we note with deep regret the Russian Federation’s decision to revoke its ratification of the CTBT. We expect Russia to remain committed to the Treaty and to maintain its contribution to the International Monitoring System and ensure data availability through the verification regime. We value the spirit of cooperation that was essential to the successful outcome of the thirteenth Conference on Facilitating Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, held here in New York in September last year. Preparing for and conducting the Conference would not have been possible without the support of Mr. Robert Floyd and his highly competent secretariat. For that we are grateful. Norway and Panama wish to reiterate our dedication to the CTBT. We encourage all States to remain seized of the issue at the highest political level. Together, we can fulfil the Treaty’s potential to end all nuclear explosions, everywhere, for all time. Let us also use this day to reflect on the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that nuclear detonations would entail for people and the environment. Let me therefore finish by once again calling on all States to abide by the moratorium on nuclear weapons test explosions and any other nuclear explosions, and to refrain from any action that would undermine the Treaty.

The Philippines aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The Philippines expresses its deepest gratitude to Kazakhstan for its tireless efforts to commemorate and promote the International Day Against Nuclear Tests since it was first observed in 2010. As a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, we also take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the global cause of nuclear disarmament and re-emphasize the humanitarian consequences of the use and threat of use of nuclear weapons. In that regard, the Philippines was a proud co-sponsor of the 2023 resolution 78/240, addressing the legacy of nuclear weapons and providing essential victim assistance and environmental remediation to Member States affected by nuclear weapon use or testing, as co-penned by Kazakhstan and Kiribati. As we gather here today, we are reminded of the harrowing humanitarian and environmental consequences of nuclear weapons testing. The radiation released from such tests has caused irreparable harm to those exposed, with effects that continue to afflict not only the immediate victims but also their children and successive generations. The damage to our environment has been equally devastating, contaminating ecosystems, poisoning water supplies and fracturing the Earth itself. We laud all the various activities worldwide, including Kazakhstan’s annual #StepUp4Disarmament challenge, which began in 2021 to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the closing of the Semipalatinsk nuclear testing site. We also especially commend efforts to mainstream disarmament education, particularly to our young people. We fervently hope that the observance of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests will continue to create momentum for the universal ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). We congratulate Somalia as the most recent signatory to the CTBT, in September 2023, and Papua New Guinea on having recently ratified the Treaty, in March 2024. Despite the Treaty’s not being in force, we accord recognition to the CTBT Organization for developing an extensive verification regime to monitor compliance. Its International Monitoring System, a global network of over 300 monitoring stations, has proven its effectiveness in detecting nuclear explosions since its establishment. At this time of increasing global tensions, the threat of nuclear testing exacerbates instability, creating further divisions and heightening the risk of conflict. The Philippines believes that the only way to ensure regional and global security is through the collective and absolute prohibition of nuclear testing. A nuclear-weapon-free world is not just a dream but a necessity for the safety and prosperity of current and future generations. May the International Day Against Nuclear Tests serve as a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of nuclear weapons testing, reinforce the international community’s ongoing efforts to prevent such tests and be an effective means to rebuke its occurrence. We stand united with the international community in calling for the cessation of all nuclear weapons test explosions. It is only through such decisive action that we can pave the way for a more secure and peaceful world. Let us continue to work together, driven by our shared humanity and the urgent need to protect our planet and its people from the scourge of nuclear weapons.

Mauritania welcomes the convening of this high- level plenary meeting to commemorate the fifteenth anniversary of the International Day against Nuclear Tests, which offers us an opportunity to express our utmost appreciation for the President of the General Assembly on the efforts he is making within the framework of disarmament, international security in general and nuclear disarmament in particular. It is that principle which brings us all together today to commemorate the International Day against Nuclear Tests. We also thank the Secretary-General for his efforts, through the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, and the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization for its work to raise awareness of the catastrophic dangers posed by nuclear tests and to promote the Treaty’s entry into force more than 25 years after its signature. We align ourselves with the statements made by the representatives of the Congo and the Syrian Arab Republic on behalf of the Group of African States and the Group of Arab States, respectively. I wish to make the following statement in our national capacity. Nuclear weapons pose an existential threat to our world, human beings and the environment. They are thus an ongoing threat to international peace and security, with catastrophic and inhumane consequences that are the very opposite of our moral and humanistic principles and contrary to international law. That is why the complete, global and verifiable elimination of those weapons under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and related prevailing international law is our only guarantee that they will not be used or threatened to be used. My country became aware of this issue at a very early stage and has consistently reaffirmed it through constant participation in international efforts aimed at complete and total nuclear disarmament. In that framework, Mauritania was an early signatory of the CTBT, in September 1996, and ratified it several years later, in April 2003. Because the efforts on nuclear disarmament have multifaceted ramifications, we need to see the nuclear disarmament system as an indivisible whole if we want to implement its multiple and interconnected objectives. That means that we need to work to strengthen and guarantee the universality of the international conventions, including the CTBT in particular, that govern the disarmament of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. In that context, we call on all States to accede to the Treaty and reiterate the special responsibility of the nuclear-weapon States and States with undeclared nuclear programmes and activities in that regard. The accession of all those States to the Treaty would enable us to overcome together the challenges posed by nuclear proliferation for present and future generations. Mauritania deplores the failure of two successive Review Conferences of the Parties to the NPT and believes that it represents a backsliding of multilateral action within the non-proliferation regime. We therefore call for outcomes capable of supporting of the NPT and the disarmament regime in general within the framework of the eleventh review cycle, which will be held in 2026. Despite all this, the CTBT plays an indispensable and complementary role by working on the non-proliferation pillar, whose primary condition is the test ban. We reiterate our commitment to nuclear disarmament diplomacy and our readiness to work with the United Nations and all related partners to move forward towards a world without nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction so as to protect humankind from the possibility of extinction, which would be a logical result of the ongoing proliferation of those lethal weapons throughout a world that is not lacking in armed conflicts. Creating regional nuclear-weapon-free zones is essential to gradually achieving that aim globally. We are far from that goal, but we remain faithful to that approach to the issue. We signed and ratified our accession to the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty in 1996. We are also committed to the process of creating a zone free of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, pursuant to the resolution adopted at the 1995 Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT and relevant United Nations resolutions, in particular General Assembly decision 73/546 of 2018, calling for the adoption of a legally binding treaty creating a zone free of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. That goal is pursued through an annual conference that has been held four times since 2019 under the presidencies of Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon and Libya. It has provided us with excellent outcomes. Member States have been unanimous in their opinion that we need to establish such a zone and enforce it. The conferences have provided a venue for an in-depth discussion of substantive elements and procedures to facilitate negotiations on such a treaty, which will depend on the consensus and support of the international community. Mauritania, which looks forward to continuing to make a meaningful contribution in that regard, will preside over the fifth session of the conference in November and calls on all participants at the important United Nations Conference to join in the process and to negotiate openly and in good faith so as to implement United Nations resolutions on the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, and to add a new brick to the edifice of disarmament and international security.

The complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons and the eventual establishment of a nuclear-weapon free world are in the common interest of all humankind and have been the consistent position of the Chinese Government. Looking around the world today, the international security environment is fraught with turbulence and chaos. A Cold War mentality is on the rise, the international nuclear disarmament process is suffering a serious setback and there is a heightened risk of a nuclear arms race and nuclear conflict. Against the background of turbulent times and changes, all countries should practice true multilateralism, adhere to the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, resolutely reject the Cold War mentality and confrontation between camps, promote the nuclear disarmament process in a rational and pragmatic manner, safeguard the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation system based on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and make further efforts to achieve common security. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which was negotiated and concluded over the course of many years, is a key pillar of international nuclear disarmament and the nuclear non-proliferation regime. It has played an important role in curbing the nuclear arms race and maintaining global strategic stability. China is the nuclear-weapon State that has conducted the least number of nuclear tests and was one of the first countries to sign the Treaty. China will continue to firmly uphold the purposes and objectives of the Treaty by maintaining its moratorium on nuclear tests, fully participating in the work of the platform for the Treaty in a constructive manner, actively supporting the construction of international monitoring stations, contribute to the early entry into force of the Treaty and make unremitting efforts to achieve the noble goal of the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons. The recent plenary meeting of the twentieth session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China reaffirmed China’s resolute pursuit of an independent foreign policy of peace and its commitment to building a global community of shared future. From the moment it first possessed nuclear weapons, China made an unequivocal commitment not to be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time or in any circumstances, and unconditionally not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States or nuclear- weapon-free zones. China has always maintained its nuclear forces at the lowest level necessary for its national security and has no intention of engaging in an arms race with any other country. Over the past 60 years, China’s understanding of the role of nuclear weapons has remained unchanged and its nuclear policy has maintained a high degree of stability, continuity and predictability, which is China’s important contribution to the cause of international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. China has officially taken over as coordinator of the five nuclear-weapon States mechanism and looks forward to continued dialogue and cooperation among the five nuclear-weapon States on the basis of the 2022 Joint Statement of the Leaders of the Five Nuclear- Weapon States on Preventing Nuclear War and Avoiding Arms Races, and to exploring feasible initiatives to reduce nuclear risks. China advocates that the five nuclear-weapon States should negotiate and conclude a treaty on no-first-use of nuclear weapons against each other or issue a relevant political statement. China is also willing to work with other countries to strengthen the authority and effectiveness of the NPT and to promote the early entry into force of the CTBT so as to contribute to the promotion of world peace and security.

I am honoured to address the Assembly today at the fourteenth observance of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests. It holds profound significance for the global community, and particularly for Kazakhstan. This observance embodies my country’s journey from a nuclear testing ground to a steadfast advocate of regional and global disarmament and non-proliferation. I therefore most warmly thank President Francis Dennis and Secretary- General António Guterres for their tireless efforts and deep commitment to that noble cause. Amid increasing geopolitical tensions and intensifying global stressors, this commemoration underscores the importance of preventing nuclear weapons testing and the use of nuclear weapons. Kazakhstan’s story, in the context of nuclear disarmament, began with the grim legacy of the Semipalatinsk test site. Between 1949 and 1989, over 450 nuclear tests were conducted on our soil, in the air and underground. That resulted in a profound contamination and impact on the health of our people. The catastrophic devastation of those tests has galvanized our resolve to pursue without cease a world free of nuclear weapons. On 29 August 1991, Kazakhstan took a monumental step by closing the Semipalatinsk test site, thereby marking a new era for our nation and the entire world. Subsequently, in 1992 Kazakhstan voluntarily renounced the world’s fourth-largest nuclear weapons arsenal, inherited from the Soviet Union. Our unprecedented steps led also to the closure of nuclear test sites in other regions of the world. That decision without doubt, underscored our commitment to global peace and security. Kazakhstan’s leadership in nuclear disarmament did not stop there. We played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Central Asian Nuclear- Weapon-Free Zone in 2006. The zone made our region the first in the northern hemisphere. The Treaty demonstrates the power of regional cooperation in achieving disarmament and sets a precedent for other regions to follow suit. In 2009, the General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 64/35, proposed by Kazakhstan, declaring 29 August the International Day Against Nuclear Tests. The resolution serves as a reminder of the disastrous effects of nuclear testing and the imperative of preventing future tests. It is also a powerful call to action for all nations to work together towards a world free of nuclear weapons. Kazakhstan has also been a steadfast supporter of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). We continue to urge all nations, particularly those that have not yet ratified the Treaty, to do so without delay. We applaud the ratification of the Treaty by Papua New Guinea and its signing by Somalia. The entry into force of the CTBT is essential to ensuring a permanent and irreversible end to nuclear testing. We therefore thank Executive Secretary Robert Floyd for his presence among us today. Simultaneously, we call for the universalization of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Kazakhstan, together with Kiribati, in an effort to implement articles 6 and 7 of the TPNW, is focusing on practical remediation and rehabilitation measures for affected countries and their peoples. Due to the ongoing legacies of nuclear weapons in communities near test sites across the globe, Member States have a moral responsibility to assist the affected countries. We are encouraged by discussions to establish an international trust fund under the TPNW. We also highlight the importance of addressing the fate of victims and environmental contamination caused by the use of nuclear weapons and their testing. Member States are invited to take note of resolution 78/240, entitled “Addressing the legacy of nuclear weapons: providing victim assistance and environmental remediation to Member States affected by the use or testing of nuclear weapons”. The full version of my statement, containing several strategies to advance the cause of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, will be submitted to the Secretariat to be made available on the website. Finally, on the occasion of this historic day, it is my privilege to invite representatives to a luncheon reception, immediately following this meeting, to be hosted in the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan from 1:15 p.m.to 2.30 p.m. It will be our pleasure to welcome representatives to observe 29 August, the day we closed the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. Let us renew our resolve to work collectively towards building a safer and more secure future for all humanity.

Mexico welcomes the convening of this meeting and aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Honduras on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. We recognize Kazakhstan for promoting the commemoration of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests as a reminder of the urgent need to eliminate not only tests, but also all nuclear weapons, which are the greatest global danger that humankind has faced throughout its history. That statement is no exaggeration, although it may seem so. Nuclear weapons — we must reiterate this every day — represent the possibility that the entire heritage of homo sapiens through the millennia could be destroyed in about an hour, depending on the number of warheads used in a confrontation. All social, scientific, technological, philosophical, artistic and other achievements of the species could be destroyed in the span of an hour and, as a result of the ensuing nuclear winter, take us back to the ways of life of the Palaeolithic. But it is not only nuclear war that threatens us. Nuclear testing also harms the planet and contributes to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The testimony of victims of nuclear testing, together with irrefutable scientific evidence of its terrible effects, must move the international community to commit to achieving a world free of weapons as the only way to guarantee the survival of civilization. Countries committed to international disarmament obligations have historically chosen the path of peace and not that of nuclear weapons. Although no nuclear test has been recorded since 2017, the international geopolitical situation continually tests the moratorium that most countries possessing nuclear weapons have respected. We must make it clear, however, that the only international guarantee that there will be no more nuclear tests is through their prohibition and complete elimination. No unilateral moratorium can replace a legally binding, multilaterally negotiated norm that prohibits such tests and also allows for verification of compliance. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty not only sets a standard of behaviour that prohibits nuclear testing, but it also includes a global verification system that helps ensure that all States comply with their commitments. Mexico urges those States that have not yet signed or ratified the Treaty to do so as soon as possible. It is imperative that all nations unite in an unequivocal commitment to banning nuclear testing and preventing any repetition of such horrors. Only in that way can we move towards a world truly free of the nuclear threat, honouring the memory of the victims and protecting future generations. In 2023, my country chaired the second Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, at which the parties noted concern about the delays, setbacks and conditions imposed by some countries that prevented the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty from entering into force. I reiterate Mexico’s commitment to continuing to work for a world free of all nuclear weapons and tests, strengthening multilateral and collaborative efforts that ensure respect for international law, global security and lasting peace. My country will continue to promote effective compliance with nuclear weapons treaties and support all initiatives that lead to their total elimination. We will continue to demand the elimination of that which poses the greatest threat to us all.

I thank President Francis for convening today’s important commemorative meeting. Austria fully aligns itself with the statement delivered by the observer of the European Union. At a time when international law and the principles of multilateral cooperation are under increasing pressure, it is all the more vital to stand up for treaties and institutions, such as the Comprehensive Nuclear- Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), that are essential for our collective security and support our efforts for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The international community needs the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. Over 2,000 nuclear tests have taken place since 1945. The humanitarian consequences of such detonations can be catastrophic and inflict unthinkable suffering. To this day, the suffering of affected communities — often decades after a nuclear test took place — extends as far as the third and fourth generations. To this day, newborn children in affected communities still have a higher risk of suffering from genetic mutations. And let us not forget that many of these communities did not consent to those tests or even have the opportunity to clearly oppose them. Despite all that, many still await help to address the lingering consequences on them and their environment, or even full access to nuclear testing States’ records that would allow them to understand more properly what was done to them and their homelands. By prohibiting nuclear weapon testing and all other nuclear explosions worldwide, the CTBT has become an essential component of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation framework. Austria is therefore unwavering in its full confidence in the Treaty and in the CTBTO, and we commend the organization for its tireless work to end nuclear weapons testing. We are honoured to host the CTBTO and its dedicated staff in Vienna. We welcome Executive Director Floyd’s successful initiatives to advance the CTBTO’s work and the Treaty’s ratification. We will continue to actively support those efforts. The CTBTO plays a crucial role in building trust and strengthening the norm against nuclear tests with its reliable and independent capabilities to verify States’ respect for the norm through its International Monitoring System and the International Data Centre. This meeting is taking place against a very dangerous backdrop of geopolitical tensions. Today, nuclear risks are disconcertingly high and several conflicts and geopolitical hotspots in Europe, Asia and the Middle East carry the potential for nuclear escalation. Most worrisome is Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, in clear breach of the Charter of the United Nations. Russia has made repeated implicit but unmistakable nuclear threats. That is unacceptable. Against that backdrop, it is deeply regrettable that Russia withdrew its ratification of the CTBT. The CTBTO monitoring system also gives us confidence that we can detect any new testing by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which is the only country to test nuclear weapons in the twenty- first century. We condemn such acts in the strongest possible terms. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must finally comply with its obligations under Security Council resolutions to refrain from nuclear testing and launches using ballistic missile technology. We reiterate our call for all relevant partners to urgently work to build sustainable peace and security to achieve the complete, verified and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Austria calls on all remaining States — particularly those listed in annex 2 that are preventing the Treaty’s entry into force — to ratify the CTBT without further delay or preconditions. A complementary norm against the testing of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices is of course the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) — a treaty that explicitly and in practice complements and strengthens both the NPT and the CTBT. The TPNW’s States parties continue to address the harm caused by nuclear weapons use and testing and support all measures to bring the CTBT into force. We stress the urgent need for an unequivocal recommitment to the global moratorium against any nuclear test explosions and a renewed focus by the remaining annex 2 States on bringing the CTBT into force.

Burundi aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of the Republic of the Congo on behalf of the Group of African States. Burundi is pleased to speak today at this high-level plenary meeting dedicated to the commemoration and promotion of the International Day against Nuclear Tests, in accordance with resolution 72/51. This day represents a crucial moment to reaffirm the commitment of the international community to a future and a world free from the threat of nuclear tests and to promoting international peace and security. Nuclear weapons are the most destructive instruments ever created by humankind. Their capacity to inflict massive and irreversible destruction in a matter of moments constitutes a direct threat not only to the possessing countries but to the entire international community. Nuclear proliferation remains a major challenge, and the possibility of nuclear war is a scenario that we cannot and must not contemplate. The international community has already witnessed nuclear explosions that have seriously endangered our world. For Burundi, it is urgent to strengthen our collective efforts to end the nuclear arms race and avert its catastrophic consequences for our planet and future generations. Beyond their devastating environmental impact, nuclear tests, whether conducted in experimental contexts or in demonstrations of power, pose an unacceptable threat to global security. Burundi believes that they harm the health of populations, degrade our natural resources, affect future generations and exacerbate international tensions. The radiation, contamination and ecological disruption resulting from those tests endanger not only local ecosystems but also global stability. Burundi therefore launches a vibrant appeal to the international community to step up its efforts to ensure that never again is such an ordeal imposed on humankind. Furthermore, Burundi offers a constructive vision for the future by suggesting that funds currently allocated to nuclear weapons research and development be redirected to sustainable development initiatives. By transferring those resources to projects that promote education, health and environmental protection, we can create positive opportunities for present and future generations, while contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It is therefore imperative and important that all Member States understand not only the immediate dangers of nuclear testing, but also the long-term implications for our planet and humankind. A better understanding will undoubtedly strengthen international commitment and support for the elimination of nuclear testing and promote effective disarmament policies. Today, on this International Day against Nuclear Tests, we must recognize the essential contributions of civil initiatives and non-governmental organizations to promoting nuclear disarmament. We should also remember the victims of nuclear testing, whether affected directly by the explosions or by the long- term consequences on their environment and health. Their suffering reminds us that our commitment to a world without nuclear testing is a moral, ethical and humanitarian obligation. To succeed in that mission, we must strengthen our international cooperation, support scientific research on the effects of nuclear testing and encourage open and inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders. To achieve our shared goals of disarmament and non-proliferation, Burundi believes that the path to a world without nuclear weapons lies in international cooperation and constructive dialogue among all Member States. Furthermore, Burundi encourages Member States to consider establishing an international fund dedicated to transitioning resources from nuclear programmes to initiatives that promote sustainable development. The fund could support innovative projects in the areas of clean energy, natural resource management and community resilience, thereby contributing to a safer and more prosperous future for all. In conclusion, Burundi calls on all Member States to renew their commitment to the total elimination of nuclear weapons and believes that this commemorative plenary represents a valuable opportunity to strengthen our collective resolve and take concrete steps to end nuclear testing in order to build a world where nuclear testing is a thing of the past and where peace, security and prosperity are the realities of our collective future.

This morning, Executive Secretary Floyd of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test- Ban Treaty Organization effectively presented the need for the elimination of nuclear testing. We are all gathered here today with a deep sense of responsibility on the critical issue of nuclear weapons and their testing, which pose one of the gravest threats to global security and the well-being of future generations. I cannot but recall the words spoken by President Obama in 2009 in Prague as a salutary reminder of our continuing responsibility in contemporary times. He said that, “as a nuclear power, as the only nuclear power to have used a nuclear weapon, the United States has a moral responsibility to act. We cannot succeed in this endeavour alone, but we can lead it, we can start it”. We can do so too. We must start. He went on to say: “So today, I state clearly and with conviction America’s commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons ... This goal will not be reached quickly — perhaps not in my lifetime. It will take patience and persistence. But now we, too, must ignore the voices who tell us that the world cannot change ... [T]he United States will take concrete steps towards a world without nuclear weapons. To put an end to Cold War thinking” — and I would say “cold peace thinking”, in this day and age — “we will reduce the role of nuclear weapons in our national security strategy, and urge others to do the same ... To achieve a global ban on nuclear testing, my administration will immediately and aggressively pursue U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty ... And to cut off the building blocks needed for a bomb, the United States will seek a new treaty that verifiably ends the production of fissile materials intended for use in State nuclear weapons ... [T]ogether we will strengthen the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a basis for cooperation.” That is the spirit in which I believe we should pursue the future. Given the unprecedented devastation that nuclear weapons have caused, I say that it is imperative that we make a collective effort to eliminate them and ban their testing. Let us revisit the first atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Are we not still bearing the scars of those horrific events today? Those bombings serve, I say, as a stark reminder of the catastrophic consequences that nuclear weapons can unleash, despite our collective commitment to ensuring that such tragedies never occur again. That should be our commitment. Can we not use this day not merely as a commemoration, as we do year in and year out, but as a resolute stamp of our commitment to eliminating nuclear weapons and their testing? Sri Lanka stands with the global community in its fervent plea to be free from the threat of nuclear warfare. We strongly support all efforts aimed at achieving a world without nuclear weapons, and we see the banning of nuclear tests as a critical step in that direction. For decades, Sri Lanka has steadfastly championed the cause of a nuclear weapon-free world. Our dedication to nuclear disarmament is firmly anchored in the principles of universality, non-discrimination and verifiability. We are convinced that achieving that goal requires a clear, time-bound process supported by global commitment and a comprehensive multilateral framework. In the light of today’s global security challenges, we welcome the renewed focus of the international community on our shared objectives of eliminating nuclear threats. In addition to eliminating nuclear weapons, my delegation believes that we must also consider how their potential can be harnessed for the betterment of humankind. Today, our global objective must be the complete elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. Every nation, every Member State, has a role to play in that endeavour. Sri Lanka remains committed to ensuring that the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons are not forgotten for future generations. We place significant importance on education in disarmament and non-proliferation, and hope that today’s discussion will heighten public awareness of the urgent need for nuclear disarmament. To make that argument valid, we must take concrete steps. We cannot just pay lip service to the topic. First, we need a comprehensive, time-bound plan for nuclear disarmament, supported by all nations through multilateral frameworks. Secondly, I believe that the international community must enforce and strengthen existing treaties, such as the Comprehensive Nuclear- Test-Ban Treaty and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, to prevent nuclear proliferation and ensure that nuclear technology is used only for peaceful purposes. Finally, we must invest in education and public awareness campaigns to ensure that the lessons of the past are not forgotten and to build global consensus for a nuclear-free world. Permit me to say a little something more. This morning, we were treated to a fine exhibition of paintings by our young people on the dangers of nuclear testing. They were accompanied, of course, by poetic expressions on the paintings, which I captured on my telephone. Permit me to conclude by reading out just one of them. It is called “Atomic Sonnet” and was written by George Platt of the United Kingdom. This is how it goes. As the curtain opens upon the stage, We find ourselves in a nuclear age, Since man split the atom, the planet has shaken, And peace has been ionized by war’s radiation. But still the faint glow of world at its best, Is that half-life of hope before nuclear tests; Before fission and chaos and power and thunder, When we saw in mankind an unsearchable wonder. And yet — can we turn back the atomic clock, As if the first bombs did never drop, To return to our perfect, imperfect, peaceful past, And instead fuse our dreams in that critical mass? Before the final curtain falls upon the stage, We must try once more for our new, clear age. That is the dream of our future generations. We owe it to them as trustees of our planet and its beings. The urgency of our task cannot therefore be overstated. Let us appreciate that our time on this Earth is limited and we must use it wisely to secure a peaceful and dignified future for all humankind. The young people of today would tell us plainly that the world can and must exist without nuclear weapons.

The Marshall Islands stands with the General Assembly membership in commemorating the devastation of nuclear testing impacts, not only in the Marshall Islands but also in French Polynesia, Australia, Kiribati, Kazakhstan, Algeria, the state of Nevada and Johnston Atoll in the United States, North Korea and Xinjiang province of China. Cumulatively, the lessons are evident that nuclear testing impacts pose unacceptable harm to humankind. This is not the first time that the Marshall Islands has urged the world to halt nuclear testing and this is not the first time we have warned of the dangers of nuclear detonation. Recent statements and threats have again brought nuclear testing before us as a very real possibility, and it is apparent that our warnings and pleas have not been fully heard. Our colleague from Sri Lanka referred to lessons of the past. I should like to share some of them with members of the Assembly. In 1954, during our status as a strategic United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Marshallese leaders petitioned the United Nations to halt the testing of nuclear weapons in our country. For a moment, we captured headlines around the world. The sentiments of our voices helped to spur many of the earliest disarmament movements, but instead of listening to the pleas for help of the Marshallese people, who at the time had been displaced from their home atolls and deprived of a number of human rights, the United Nations responded with two trusteeship resolutions that further reaffirmed their quest to conduct nuclear weapon experiments considered necessary in the interests of world peace and security. The two Trusteeship Council resolutions 1082 (XIV) and 1493 (XVII), adopted respectively in 1954 and 1956 — the year I was born — remain the only instances in which the United Nations has ever explicitly authorized the detonation of nuclear weapons. In all, between 1946 and 1958, 67 nuclear weapons were detonated in the Marshall Islands region. Those tests were undertaken by the United States as the United Nations Administering Authority. The exposure of our people and land has created impacts that have lasted and will last for generations. Those impacts on our human rights, land, culture, health and lives — the mistreatment and marginalization — are burdens that no other nation or country should ever have to bear. Past generations have fought hard to address nuclear testing impacts, and that struggle for justice has been passed down to my generation and will be inherited by future generations to address until we are made whole. For decades, we have tried to bring our plight of injustice to the world’s attention — a history of human rights violations imposed on our people for the purpose of world peace and security. However, the international community continues to struggle to make effective progress in addressing nuclear testing impacts, as well as in the overall elimination of such weapons. Our own experience, history and current challenges to nuclear exposure are key drivers for urging progress in reducing and, ultimately, eliminating nuclear risk. It is now the common consensus that nuclear weapons testing is harmful and unnecessary. Further, I would also like to announce that the Government of the Marshall Islands intends to closely study and pursue accession to the Partial Test Ban Treaty of 1963. Early negotiations on that Treaty were strongly impacted by the Castle Bravo test in the Marshall Islands. Even as we urge that the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty gain the needed and unique ratifications to enter into force, it is nonetheless the common consensus that nuclear tests of any variety should never again occur. It is important that the international community take steps that result in time-bound and concrete outcomes aimed towards eliminating nuclear danger. We urge the achievement of a world free of nuclear weapons, accompanied by peace and security, and call for a global collective goal towards achievements far stronger than symbolic momentum. Of course, we are taking charge of our own human rights. We have recently formed the National Nuclear Commission to help coordinate the needs of closely- impacted communities and build our own capacity. The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted resolution 51/35 to address technical assistance within the Republic of the Marshall Islands. We did not cause this and we lack the full capacity and resources to effectively address it. As the General Assembly acknowledged last year in adopting resolution 78/240, on providing victim assistance and environmental remediation to States affected by the use or testing of nuclear weapons, the ultimate responsibility rests with the country that conducted the testing. The Marshall Islands envisions a world free of nuclear weapons and hopes that no other people will have to bear the burdens of nuclear exposure, which we know all too well. Today, we join together to send a unified message on nuclear testing that their consequences must be remembered and never repeated. I close by again echoing the sentiment expressed by my colleague from Sri Lanka that the lessons of the past should never be forgotten.