nuclear-news

Ban Ki-moon speaks on International Day against Nuclear Tests, August 29

Global Ban on Nuclear Tests Vital for Achieving More Secure World: UN Chief http://thesop.org/story/20120829/global-ban-on-nuclear-tests-vital-for-achieving-more-secure-world-un-chief.html By SOP newswire3  Ban Ki-moon today stressed the importance of a global ban on nuclear tests to achieve a safer and more secure world, calling on all States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the international treaty that seeks to achieve this goal. Nuclear tests remain a threat to human health and global stability, ” Mr. Ban said in his message for the third annual International Day against Nuclear Tests, observed on 29 August.

The Day highlights the efforts of the UN and a growing community of advocates, including Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, youth networks and media in informing and educating on the importance of the
nuclear-test-ban.

The General Assembly chose 29 August as the annual commemoration date since it marks the day in 1991 when Semipalatinsk, one of the largest test sites in the world and located in north-eastern Kazakhstan, was closed for good.

Mr. Ban noted that the Day is an important opportunity to call
attention to the harmful and long-lasting effects of testing, as well
as the continued danger posed by the existence of tens of thousands of
nuclear weapons. Around the world, symposia, conferences, exhibitions
and competitions are being held to raise public awareness and
galvanize action to finally end nuclear tests, ” he stated. To achieve
this goal, States that have not yet signed and ratified the
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) must do so without delay.
”

The CTBT, which aims to establish a verifiable, permanent global ban
on all types of nuclear explosive tests, enjoys near-universal support
but has yet to enter into force. The Secretary-General is the
depositary of the treaty, which, as of today, has been signed by 183
States and ratified by 157.

Ratification by eight so-called Annex 2 States is required for the
treaty to enter into force. They are China, the Democratic People`s
Republic of Korea (DPRK), Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, and
the United States.

Pending the treaty`s entry into force, Mr. Ban urged all States to
uphold the current moratorium on all nuclear test explosions.

However, while existing voluntary moratoriums on nuclear weapon tests
are essential, they are no substitute for a total global ban, ” he
reminded them.

The International Day against Nuclear Tests is being marked around the
world with events to call attention to the dangers of nuclear test
explosions, the threats posed to humans and the environment, and the
need to ultimately eliminate all nuclear weapons and their testing.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=42764&Cr=Nuclear&Cr1=

August 30, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, weapons and war