Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the Conference on Facilitating the Entry-into-Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), chaired by Alexander Downer, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, today at United Nations Headquarters. This Conference examines which measures consistent with international law may be taken to accelerate the ratification process in order to facilitate the entry into force of CTBT. The treaty constrains the development and qualitative improvement of nuclear weapons, and consititutes an effective measure of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.