HIGH-LEVEL PLENARY MEETING TO COMMEMORATE AND PROMOTE THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST NUCLEAR TESTS
04 September 2024
Delivered by Ambassador James Larsen, Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
Thank you, President.
Australia is pleased to align itself with the statement delivered by Japan on behalf of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Group of Friends.
As a Pacific nation, Australia knows the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons testing.
For this reason, we are determined to pursue full ratification and implementation of the CTBT to ensure that the terrible history of nuclear testing is never repeated.
And we do this because we know that risks abound.
We are deeply concerned by indications that the DPRK may resume nuclear activity and urge them to refrain.
And we regret the Russian Federation’s decision to revoke its ratification of the CTBT and urge Russia to reverse this decision.
We call upon all States to declare or maintain their existing moratoria on any nuclear explosions.
President, the CTBT is our collective commitment to a permanent end to the dangers and destructive legacy of explosive nuclear testing.
Importantly, the CTBT is already amongst the most widely accepted and effective normative instruments to contain and reduce nuclear threats.
But we can’t take this for granted and securing full ratification and implementation of the Treaty remains critical.
In the Pacific, we are achieving near universalisation of the CTBT and we particularly welcome Papua New Guinea’s ratification in March this year.
Already, the value of the CTBT’s verification regime cannot be understated.
It delivers tangible, practical benefits to all by providing a worldwide monitoring system.
The system can, and has, detected nuclear explosive tests anywhere, at any time, and provides regional stability by providing reliable means to ensure compliance with the Treaty’s obligations.
The civic and scientific value of this system is also critical in monitoring environmental changes and providing timely information for the early warning of natural disasters.
And Australia supports this important work by hosting the third-largest number of stations globally.
President, Australia continues to champion the CTBT and will co-lead the annual UNGA First Committee CTBT Resolution.
We are honoured to work once again with New Zealand and Mexico to continue building momentum towards the Treaty’s universal adoption.
We encourage all Member States to support this year’s resolution.
And we also look forward to this year’s Ministerial Meeting of the CTBT Group of Friends, to take place during High Level Week, as another important occasion for member states to reinforce their commitment to the treaty, increase awareness of the continued and urgent importance of its entry into force, and to highlight the benefits of the Treaty and its verification regime.
Pending entry into force, we encourage all remaining states, especially those listed in Annex II, to sign and ratify at the earliest possible opportunity.
The Entry into Force of the CTBT, as a universal and verifiable ban on any nuclear explosions, should be achieved without delay.
And the universalisation of this Treaty is for the benefit of all.
Finally, Australia commends the determined and persistent efforts of the Executive Secretary of the CTBTO’s Preparatory Commission, Dr. Robert Floyd.
Those efforts have been instrumental in upholding the global norm against nuclear weapons testing.
Thank you.