Ministry Statements & Speeches:
I take the floor on behalf of Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico as co-penholders of the resolution on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, this year’s draft L.57.
The CTBT is a core element of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime underpinned by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The entry into force of the CTBT would significantly strengthen the full implementation of the NPT, which we see as a crucial component of the international disarmament and non-proliferation framework.
With signature by 187 States and ratification by 178 States to date, the CTBT continues to move towards universality. We welcome the ratification by Papua New Guinea, as well as the signing by Somalia. Despite recent challenges regarding ratifications of the Treaty, we welcome continued efforts by States and the CTBTO Preparatory Commission in raising awareness and promoting universality of the Treaty, including the efforts of the Executive Secretary of the CTBTO Preparatory Commission, Dr Robert Floyd.
While not yet in force, the political and moral weight of the Treaty has contributed to moratoria on nuclear testing by almost all States. Moreover, the International Monitoring System proves its value every day in its ability to detect nuclear-weapons tests and in monitoring and detecting environmental change and natural disasters.
With more than 25 years passing since the Treaty opened for signature, its value is unquestionable. But we cannot take for granted the global norm against nuclear testing until it is legally-binding.
This is why we call upon all remaining Annex II states whose signature and/or ratification is needed for the CTBT to enter into force, to take the decisive steps towards adhering to the Treaty without delay or preconditions. We also call on all States to continue upholding the global norm against nuclear weapons testing and to relegate their terrible legacy to history.
Finally, we thank those delegations that have co-sponsored the text. We encourage all delegations to vote in favour of draft L.57 and hope the resolution will once again achieve its usual high level of support.