Ban Ki-moon renews UN call for world without nuclear weapons

UN Chief Ban Ki-moon reiterated UN's support for the idea of a world free from nuclear weapons. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message on the fourth observance of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, August 29, 2013, called for a world free of nuclear weapons. According to a press release issued by the UN Information Center (UNIC), the full text of his message is a follows: Fifty years ago, with the adoption of the Partial Test Ban Treaty, the international community completed its first step towards ending nuclear weapon test explosions for all time. This objective remains a serious matter of unfinished business on the disarmament agenda. Although twenty years have passed since the Conference on Disarmament began negotiations on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), this treaty has still not entered into force. Today, 183 countries around the world have signed the CTBT and 159 have ratified it. The strong and unified response to the nuclear test earlier this year by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea demonstrated the commitment of the international community to uphold the global norm against nuclear tests. However, some states have still refrained from taking action, thus preventing the CTBT’s entry into force. There are no justifiable grounds for further delay in achieving this great goal. It is time to avert any more of the horrific human and environmental effects caused by nuclear tests through a global ban, the most reliable means possible to meet this challenge. I once again urge all states to sign and ratify the CTBT without further delay. The eight remaining states whose ratifications are necessary for the treaty to enter into force have a special responsibility; none should wait for others to act first. In the meantime, all states should maintain or implement moratoria on nuclear explosions. I also encourage civil society, academia and others to continue to contribute their crucial advocacy. As we mark this International Day against Nuclear Tests, let us work together to end nuclear weapons testing and achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.