– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
25 September 2019
Dear Co-Presidents of this Conference,
Dear representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu,
Dr. Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to be here to participate in this Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
I would like to thank the co-Presidents and staff of the CTBTO Preparatory Commission for their invaluable work in organizing this event.
Excellencies, nuclear disarmament is and must remain a top priority for the United Nations.
No other technology or weapon of mass destruction has the capacity to quite literally eradicate societies. The very survival of humanity hinges on our resolute agreement that nuclear weapons are not be used and should be forever eliminated.
A nuclear weapons-free world is the only true guarantee to safeguard civilization from the threat of extinction.
The signing in 2017 of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was a milestone in our efforts to protect humanity. This legally-binding instrument includes prohibitions against developing, testing, acquiring, using or even threatening to use, nuclear weapons.
We need to realize the vision of the CTBT and its core objectives, in order to contribute effectively to the prevention of proliferation of nuclear weapons in all its aspects. At the same time, we must strengthen the ongoing process towards nuclear disarmament.
Indeed, the CTBT regime constitutes in itself a powerful normative framework and a tacit deterrent to nuclear testing. It must, however, move from its current status to a legally-binding obligation for all Member States.
I join the call of many when I urge those Member States that have not yet signed or ratified the Treaty to do so without delay, especially those whose ratification is needed for the Treaty to enter into force.
I join the call of many when I urge those Member States that have not yet signed or ratified the Treaty to do so without delay, especially those whose ratification is needed for the Treaty to enter into force
Excellencies,
Tomorrow I will convene a High-Level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
I hope that the same determination we bring to this Conference today will guide our efforts to convey a strong message tomorrow in favor of nuclear disarmament.
I am confident that this Conference will constructively help to pave the way for further steps to be taken to abolish nuclear testing and achieve a nuclear weapons-free world sooner rather than later. This universal aspiration should guide our efforts along our path to peace.
Let us remember, it is only by striving together that we will succeed in delivering for all.
Thank you.
