2023-08-30 12:03:57
UNITED NATIONS, (Xinhua) — UN Secretary-General António Guterres said Tuesday that a nuclear test ban is a fundamental step towards a world free of nuclear weapons.
“A legally binding nuclear test ban is a critical step in our quest for a world free of nuclear weapons. Although it has not yet entered into force, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) remains a powerful testament to humanity’s will to cast away the shadow of nuclear annihilation from our world once and for all.” Guterres said in a message on the occasion of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, celebrated on August 29.
“On behalf of all the victims of nuclear tests, I call on all countries that have not yet done so to ratify the Treaty immediately, without conditions. Let’s end nuclear tests forever,” he added.
Since 1945, more than 2,000 nuclear tests have inflicted terrible suffering on people, poisoned the air, and devastated land around the world. On the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, the world speaks with one voice to end this legacy of destruction, he said.
“This year, we are faced with an alarming rise in mistrust and division on a global scale. At this moment there are almost 13,000 nuclear weapons stored around the world and countries are working to improve their precision, range and destructive power, this being a situation that can lead to annihilation,” Guterres warned.
The treaty was adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 1996, but has not entered into force.
Xinhua (xinhua-news.com)
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