United Nations Radio

The United Nations is urging all states to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

nuclear testing

In his message to mark the first International Day against Nuclear Tests on 29 August, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon notes that the CTBT was adopted in 1996 but has yet to enter into force.

He points out that he has called for a timeline of achieving this goal by 2012 and pending the treaty's entry into force, he urges all States to implement a moratorium on all nuclear explosions.

He recalls that the International Day against Nuclear Tests was proposed by the government of Kazakhstan at the sixty-fourth session of the United Nations General Assembly.

"The fact that the proposal won unanimous support reflects the deep concern of the international community about the dangers posed by such tests" the Secretary-General adds.

The Secretary-General says there is a real momentum behind the cause of nuclear disarmament.

He notes that this year's successful conclusion of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference invigorated the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

Mr. Ban says bold initiatives by world leaders and civil society are showing the way toward changed policies and reduced arsenals.

The Secretary-General says that constraining research and development on nuclear weapons is a potentially powerful tool in strengthening the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime.

"We cannot pass these challenges to succeeding generations. We must each do our part to build a safer, more secure world today" the Secretary-General stresses.

Jocelyne Sambira, United Nations Radio.

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