NEW YORK: The United Nations chief has warned against the rise in global distrust and nuclear weapons terming it a complete recipe for destruction.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a statement on the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, said prohibition on nuclear tests is a major step in global body’s desire for nuclear weapons free world.
13,000 nuclear weapons stockpiled in world
He noted that nearly 13,000 nuclear weapons have been stockpiled around the world which is alarming.
The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) has 196 members out of which 186 countries have signed it and 178 have ratified it.
Meanwhile a high-level meeting of the 193-member assembly to observe the day was held at UN headquarters in New York.
UN disarmament chief Izumi Nakamitsu in her remarks said the treaty has given the foundation for the global taboo against nuclear testing.
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She added the rising wave of nuclear risk threatens the gains in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation achieved over the last three decades.
Robert Floyd, head of the UN nuclear test ban treaty organization, said, the world is facing worrying times. He added recently Somalia and South Sudan have committed to sign and ratify the treaty.
The Netherlands ambassador to, Yoka Brandt, stressed the urgent need to have the treaty enter into force.
Kazakhstan’s UN ambassador, Akan Rakhmetullin, said nuclear tests are causing severe long-term harm and suffering to humanity and the entire planet.
