In a powerful appeal to the international community, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for a permanent ban on nuclear testing. Speaking on the observance of the International Day against Nuclear Tests on August 29, Guterres emphasized the devastating legacy of nuclear tests conducted over the past eight decades.
“More than 2,000 nuclear tests at over 60 sites around the world have left a legacy of destruction, rendering lands uninhabitable and creating long-term health problems for people,” Guterres highlighted. He warned that recent discussions about resuming nuclear testing indicate that the harrowing lessons from history are being forgotten or ignored.
“On the International Day against Nuclear Tests, the world must speak with one voice to end this practice once and for all,” he urged.
Guterres pointed out that the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is the only global instrument that prohibits all nuclear testing and serves as an essential and verifiable security tool. However, he lamented that the treaty has not yet entered into force.
“In the name of the victims of nuclear tests and future generations, I call on all countries whose ratifications are needed for the treaty to enter into force to do so—immediately and without conditions,” he appealed. “Let’s pass the test for humanity and ban nuclear testing for good.”
The Secretary-General’s message resonates with global concerns about nuclear proliferation and the risks posed by nuclear weapons. His call to action serves as a reminder of the shared responsibility nations have to prevent further environmental degradation and protect human health.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
