Ban urges progress towards achieving nuclear-free world
“The Treaty has suffered serious setbacks and faces multiple challenges to its credibility, though it has also seen steady progress and significant measured success,” Mr. Ban said in a statement.
He highlighted the efforts of some nuclear-weapon States towards decreasing their arsenals and speeding up dismantlement.
In spite of international backing for the objectives of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, the Secretary-General pointed out that tens of thousands of nuclear weapons still remain.
“Nuclear proliferation – whether by States or Non-State actors – threatens everyone, and therefore requires global cooperation in addressing non-compliance, in resolving concerns over nuclear programmes, and in ensuring the most reliable controls over nuclear materials,” the statement said.
Characterizing the NPT, to which there are nearly 190 parties – as the “most effective multilateral instrument” to curb nuclear proliferation and realize disarmament, Mr. Ban said that “we must reinforce and strengthen it to meet the challenges of the day.”