Antonio Guterres calls for elimination of nuclear weapons at UNGA

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres deplored reversals of disarmament efforts at commemoration of International Day for Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on September 26. According to Guterres, elimination of nuclear weapons is only way to eliminate its threat. Guterres said that re has been even reversals in achievement towards disarmament let alone slowdown in progress. He ded that mistrust among nuclear-armed states and dangerous rhetoric is on rise.

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'Slipping back into b habits'

"I worry that we are slipping back into b habits that will once again hold entire world host to threat of nuclear annihilation," said Guterres recalling expiration of landmark Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. He said that highest disarmament priority of United Nations has been elimination of nuclear weapons. “We strive for a world free of nuclear weapons because we kw se weapons pose a unique and potentially existential threat to our planet,” he said.  

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NPT as cornerstone of nuclear disarmament

Guterres also encourd US and Russia to extend ir nuclear arms reduction treaty ‘New START’. treaty, which was signed in 2010 in Prague and ratified in February 2011, is expected to last at least until 2021. To maintain fundamental goals of n-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and prevent nuclear war, Guterres called upon all State parties to New START instrument. He said that NPT remains cornerstone of nuclear disarmament and n-proliferation regime.

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Importance of CTBT

Guterres emphasized importance of Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).  He said that CTBT remains a long-overdue measure to prevent development of nuclear weapons. While Guterres urged nuclear-weapon States to eng in urgent dialogue, several speakers pointed out benefits of nuclear techlogy. y said that progress towards attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) could be me through areas of energy, medical treatment and agriculture.

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