UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a compelling speech urging the global community to prioritize nuclear disarmament for the sake of international peace and security. Here are the key points from his remarks:
- Historical Perspective: Guterres highlighted the tragic history of nuclear warfare, particularly referencing the devastation caused by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He emphasized that despite the passage of almost eight decades since those events, nuclear weapons still pose a grave threat to humanity.
- Global Concerns: The Secretary-General expressed concern over escalating geopolitical tensions and mistrust, which have heightened the risk of nuclear conflict to its highest point in decades. He emphasized the urgent need for collective action to address this pressing issue.
- Humanitarian Perspective: Guterres underscored the humanitarian concerns associated with nuclear weapons, emphasizing their unparalleled destructive power and the catastrophic consequences of their use. He cited voices from various sectors, including civil society, religious leaders, and survivors of nuclear attacks, calling for an end to nuclear proliferation.
- Current Realities: The Secretary-General lamented the prioritization of military spending over diplomacy and development efforts. He raised concerns about the proliferation of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and cyber warfare, which have introduced new risks and vulnerabilities in the realm of nuclear disarmament.
- Call to Action: Guterres outlined a six-point agenda for nuclear disarmament, calling on nuclear-weapon states to take concrete steps towards disarmament and non-proliferation:
- Dialogue: Encourage nuclear-weapon states to engage in transparent and confidence-building measures to prevent the use of nuclear weapons.
- End Nuclear Sabre-Rattling: Denounce threats of nuclear weapon use and commit to refraining from such actions.
- Reaffirm Moratoria on Nuclear Testing: Pledge to uphold moratoria on nuclear testing and work towards the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
- Commit to Disarmament: Reaffirm commitments under existing treaties, such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and take tangible steps towards disarmament.
- Joint First-Use Agreement: Agree to refrain from being the first to use nuclear weapons and commit to not using them under any circumstances.
- Reduction of Nuclear Weapons: Commit to reducing nuclear arsenals, with a focus on the United States and Russia, and work towards the full implementation of existing arms control treaties.
- Role of Non-Nuclear Weapon States: Guterres called on non-nuclear weapon states to support efforts for verifiable and irreversible nuclear disarmament. He urged them to hold nuclear-weapon states accountable and strengthen global disarmament architecture.
- Diplomatic Efforts: The Secretary-General emphasized the importance of diplomatic engagement and reform of disarmament bodies, such as the Conference on Disarmament, to address the challenges hindering progress in nuclear disarmament.
- Call to Action for the UN Security Council: Guterres urged the UN Security Council to take a proactive stance on nuclear disarmament, laying down a marker for the international community to prioritize this critical issue.
In conclusion, Guterres stressed that achieving nuclear disarmament is imperative for global peace and security. He called for unified action and cooperation among all nations to work towards a world free of the threat posed by nuclear weapons.