Ban appeals for further ratifications of key nuclear treaty

Despite its ratification by nearly 150 nations, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) still has yet to go into force, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon lamented today, calling on countries to take urgent action to promote global peace and security.

The pact “would outlaw all nuclear tests and move us towards the larger goals of ridding the world of nuclear weapons and preventing their proliferation,” Mr. Ban said in his remarks to the fourth biennial ministerial meeting in support of the Treaty.

The event, held at UN Headquarters in New York, was attended by a number of high-level officials and featured a special presentation by former United States Defense Secretary William Perry and Academy Award-winning actor and UN Messenger of Peace Michael Douglas.

Almost 180 nations have signed the CTBT and 144 have ratified it. However, of the 44 States whose ratifications are required, nine have yet to do so – China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Pakistan and the United States.

The Secretary-General said he rejects the “pessimistic view” that the stalemate in the areas of disarmament and non-proliferation will preclude the CTBT from becoming a reality.

Achieving disarmament under effective international control depends on the state of global security, “but we cannot wait for the perfect security environment to come along,” he said.

“Rather, I believe that the process of moving forward in disarmament, non-proliferation and against the uses of weapons of mass destruction by terrorists will itself contribute to international peace and security.”