26 September 2022<\/strong><\/p>\nMr. Secretary-General,<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n
\n
The yearly High-Level Meetings offer a moment of reflection about the unimaginable suffering caused in 1945, when atomic bombs devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki.<\/p>\n
\n
These tragic events deeply shocked our collective conscience.<\/p>\n
\n
That was the only time in history that nuclear weapons were ever used in a war. At least, until now.<\/p>\n
\n
In the first days of this year, the leaders of the five nuclear-weapon states jointly affirmed that, quote, \u201ca nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought\u201d, unquote.<\/p>\n
\n
Only nine months later, tensions between world powers are reaching new highs. And we are again, permanently 100 to 110 seconds away from launching a nuclear strike to be followed by responses.<\/p>\n
\n
The war in Ukraine has raised credible risks of global nuclear disaster, and, as the IAEA warned, certain circles are \u201cplaying with fire\u201d.<\/p>\n
I am particularly appalled by the recurring, thinly veiled threats of nuclear strikes. Tactical strikes, it is often added, but we all know that such a conflict would never stay at the tactical level.<\/p>\n
On the Korean Peninsula, the nuclear threat continues to pose an unacceptable risk to the region and the world.<\/p>\n
\n
Meanwhile, arsenals across the world are filled with more than 13,000 warheads. Investments in these weapons continue to increase, while too many people struggle to buy food, educate their children, and keep warm.<\/p>\n
\n
After decades of tremendous efforts to promote nuclear disarmament and raise awareness about the existential threat posed by these weapons, we must ask ourselves: \u201cHow did we get here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
And, more importantly: \u201cHow do we overcome this deadlock?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nThese horrific weapons have no place in the modern world. There is no justification for their testing, production, or use.<\/p>\n
\n
Achieving a world free of nuclear weapons is the top disarmament priority of the United Nations \u2013 now more than ever.<\/p>\n
\n
As a global community, we must find the courage to return to the path of disarmament, for the sake of people and planet.<\/p>\n
\n
To start, safeguarding the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty shall remain an iron principle for all future talks on disarmament and non-proliferation.<\/p>\n
\n
I urge all Members to renew their commitment to fully implement the NPT, to comply with relevant Security Council resolutions \u2013 and to refrain from actions and rhetoric that destabilize international peace and security.<\/p>\n
\n
I call on the remaining Annex 2 countries to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty without delay, allowing it to finally enter into force \u2013 as 174 Member States have already ratified it and now 8 Member States are yet to do so.<\/p>\n
\n
Negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty, long overdue, must begin immediately.<\/p>\n
\n
Let us ensure that no more nuclear tests are conducted, no more nuclear weapons are produced, and that existing nuclear stockpiles are safely dismantled.<\/p>\n
\n
Only then we can truly protect ourselves \u2013 and future generations \u2013 from the risk of annihilation.<\/p>\n
\n
Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n
\n
We have the data. We have the science. We have the multilateral frameworks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n
In this critical moment, let us reverse the trend of mistrust and confrontation, and instead focus on rational compromises and wise solutions.<\/p>\n
\n
Let us honor this commemorative day with a renewed and genuine determination towards a world free of these weapons of the Apocalypse.<\/p>\n
\n
It is in the common interest of humanity to make sure that the deadly threshold that led to the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will never be crossed again.<\/p>\n
\n
Let us remember the words of Albert Einstein: I don\u2019t know what weapons the WWIII would be fought with, but I know that the war after that will be fought with stones and sticks.<\/em><\/p>\n\n
I thank you.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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