UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasizes that the only way to eradicate the nuclear threat is by eliminating nuclear weapons. His statement came in light of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, as published on the official website of the United Nations.
Guterres commented, “The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons serves as a reminder that a peaceful future hinges on ending the nuclear threat.” He added, “Geopolitical distrust and competition have escalated nuclear risks to Cold War levels. Simultaneously, the hard-earned progress over decades to prevent the use, proliferation, and testing of nuclear weapons is backsliding.”
Reiterating the UN’s commitment, Guterres stated, “On this significant day, we re-emphasize our pledge to a world free from nuclear arms and safe from the human catastrophe their use could entail.”
He further suggested that nuclear-armed countries should lead by adhering to their disarmament obligations and commit to never using nuclear weapons under any circumstances. This means bolstering the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation system, including adherence to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty.
Highlighting the urgency, Guterres emphasized that all nations yet to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty should do so without delay. He also urged nuclear-armed countries to ensure a voluntary halt to all nuclear tests.
The Secretary-General concluded, “The solitary path to eradicating the nuclear peril lies in removing nuclear arms. Let us work collectively to consign these instruments of devastation to the annals of history, once and for all.”
