Commemoration of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests
Sunday, 29 August 2021, 10:45 – 11:25, Place des Nations
Opening remarks by Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva.
Delivered on behalf of the Director-General by Lidiya Grigoreva, OiC, Political Affairs and Partnership Section. Click here for the video recording of the presentation.
'I have the honour to deliver a message of Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva and Secretary-General of the Conference on Disarmament'
“Ladies and gentlemen,
First of all, I would like to warmly thank all those who made this commemoration possible here in Geneva: Basel Peace Office, Mayors for Peace Europe, Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament, UNFOLD ZERO, World Future Council, and many others. My special thanks go to the President of the Bike for Peace Mr. Tore Naerland, who is with us today, for such an inspiring initiative to promote peaceful coexistence, non-violence and disarmament all over the world.
The International Day against Nuclear Tests marks the closing, in 1991, of the Nuclear Test Site in Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan, the largest in the former Soviet Union, and one of the largest in the world. 456 tests took place there, with devastating environmental, health and economic consequences still having their impact 30 years later.
As a result of the unprecedented damage inflicted to its people and territory by nuclear tests, the Government of Kazakhstan has spearheaded the international efforts that led to the adoption of a General Assembly resolution to declare 29 August the International Day against Nuclear Tests. The annual observance of the International Day also provides an opportunity to commemorate all victims of nuclear tests, regardless of where they have been conducted.
I cannot agree more with the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres who once said that the legacy of nuclear testing is nothing but destruction. Its consequences underscore why we must close the door to nuclear testing once and for all.
The only way to put an end to explosive nuclear tests globally is through the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
This treaty embodies global norms against nuclear tests. It has a broad participation of States, and its verification system now covers over 90% of the world. However, 25 years after its adoption, it has not yet entered into force.
This treaty is vital to ensuring there are no more victims, no more destruction. It is also essential for the advancement of nuclear disarmament. We must increase our efforts to promote the treaty’s entry-into-force. Everyone has a role to play in it.
Networked and inclusive multilateral cooperation among governments, international organizations, youth and civil society remains absolutely indispensable to achieve our shared goals.
Civil society and youth organizations, including those present here today, have already demonstrated they can make a real impact on the global disarmament architecture.
It is encouraging to see the meaningful engagement of young people for the cause of nuclear disarmament. Young people, the largest generation in the history of humankind, have a critical role to play in developing new ways to counter the dangers posed by nuclear weapons. The initiatives such as #StepUp4Disarmament Campaign and Bike for Peace not only raise awareness of the consequences of nuclear testing but also help the international community to utilize the unifying power of sport for the cause of global peace and security.
Ladies and gentlemen,
On the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, let me reiterate the Secretary-General Guterres’s call for all States that have not yet done so, to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty as soon as possible.
It is the hope and desire of millions of peoples to live in a nuclear-weapons-free world. The United Nations will continue galvanizing international efforts against nuclear tests until their total and irreversible elimination.”
This was the message of the Director-General.
Thank you.
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