Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2310
On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the opening for signature of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), the United Nations Security Council met in New York on 23 September 2016 for a historical debate on, and endorsement of, the Treaty. A resolution on the subject (2310/2016), co-sponsored by 42 countries, passed with 14 positive votes; one country, Egypt, abstained.
"I welcome any initiative that serves to strengthen the norm against nuclear testing... Adopting this resolution today, keeps the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty relevant."
-CTBTO Executive Secretary Lassina Zerbo
Read the highlight on the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2310/2016 on the CTBTO website here.
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Eighth Ministerial Meeting of the Friends of the CTBT
Three days before the 20th anniversary of the CTBT's opening for signature, foreign ministers and high-level representatives of Member States convened in New York on 21 September 2016 to issue a joint call for the Treaty's prompt entry into force.
The eighth Ministerial Meeting was chaired by the Foreign Ministers of the “Friends of the CTBT” – Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Article XIV co-chair Japan, and the Netherlands – in cooperation with Article XIV co-chair Kazakhstan and the United Nations. In his remarks, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told participants: “The Treaty’s failure to enter into force was unacceptable when I entered office in 2007. It is beyond unacceptable now.”
"Pending the entry into force of the Treaty, we call upon all States to maintain moratoria on nuclear weapon test explosions and other nuclear explosions and to refrain from any actions that would undermine the Treaty's object and purpose."
-Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Member of CTBTO Group of Eminent Persons
Video of the meeting and copies of statements may be downloaded on the CTBTO website here.
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Highlights Regarding Recent Activities of GEM Members
Below are a few highlights regarding recent activities of selected GEM members.
During an interview with “The Asahi Shimbun”, Hans Blix gave his remarks on the latest resolution that encourages the United Nations General Assembly to engage in a debate for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Blix highlighted the role that Japan could and should take for promoting a legally binding instrument to ban nuclear weapons.
In a recent Op-ed, Sergio Duarte warns that the taboo against nuclear testing is at risk, and with it “the structure painstakingly built by the international community to curb the spread of nuclear weapons and advance the goal of nuclear disarmament”. The entry into force of the CTBT is vital, he argues, to prevent such a dangerous development and an acceleration of the nuclear arms race.
Des Browne, Lord Browne of Ladyton, and Angela Kane were present at the event to issue commemorative stamps for the 20th anniversary of the CTBTO at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. United Nations Stamps Issued to Mark CTBT 20th Anniversary
On 23 November Browne was part of the event “Changing Governments and Nuclear Policy”, a panel discussion for examining the priorities, challenges and choices ahead for the next U.S. President.
Angela Kane received Dag Hammarskjöld Honorary Medal by the German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier for her contribution during the negotiations with Syrian regime and for successfully destroying the Syrian stock of chemical weapons. Kane was part of the panel discussion of N.E.X.T, “Nuclear Experts on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation” in Berlin.
Jayantha Dhanapala has recently published two new articles on the topic of nuclear weapons:
- The Legacy of the Reykjavik Summit – The Road Ahead
- From Placebo Nuclear Disarmament to a Nuke Free World
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini participated at this year’s “EU Conference on Non-proliferation and Disarmament” in Brussels, together with CTBTO Executive Secretary Lassina Zerbo and UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Kim Won-soo. “Non-proliferation and disarmament have been at the core of the European Union foreign policy and of my daily work,” said Mogherini.
The Ploughshares Fund released their report “10 Big Nuclear Ideas for the Next President” on 16 November 2016. Former U.S. Secretary of Defense William J. Perry is one of the report’s authors and Ellen Tauscher was a panellist at the launch event .
"I don't believe Japan will possess nuclear arms. This principle won't change," said Japan Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. Read more at: Abe aims to underscore importance of Japan-U.S. alliance with Trump. |
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Highlights Regarding Recent Activities by Youth Group Members
CTBTO Youth Group members have been very active in writing and publishing articles and producing films on a wide range of topic subjects, such as the Treaty’s entry-into-force and non-proliferation in general. The views expressed in these articles are those of the authors and should not be seen as representing the Organization.
CTBTO Youth Group (CYG) members regularly participate in and contribute to relevant events and activities to help raise awareness on the mandate of the Organization and to convey the importance of a legally binding global ban on nuclear testing. Over the past few months, CYG members were involved in high-profile events in Washington, New York, Brussels, and beyond.
In September, CYG member Carlos Rodriguez joined the CTBTO delegation during the general debate at the opening of the General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York. He supported the Eighth Ministerial Meeting of the Friends of the CTBT, the Swaziland and Myanmar Treaty ratification ceremony, the launch event for the commemorative stamps for the 20th anniversary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and more.
On 22 September, several CYG members met with the Director of Policy at Ploughshares Fund Tom Collina, and with the representatives of “Women’s Action for New Directions” Kathy Crandall Robinson and Erica Fein. Robinson and Fein emphasized the vast number of opportunities for women to step into leadership roles in the non-proliferation field.
“Having an international youth effort to bring the treaty into force is essential. If we’re going to secure the test ban’s entry into force, it’s going to be through an effort like this one, which brings the CTBT to the public’s attention. We’re going to need all of you to get it done.”- Tom Collina
Raymond Wang and Kyle Pilutti met with CTBTO Executive Secretary Lassina Zerbo at the EU on Non-proliferation Conference in Brussels in November.
“I always enjoy meeting with CTBTO Youth Group: it's their generation & enthusiasm that will bring this Treaty in force,”- Lassina Zerbo
And, looking ahead: on 6 December CTBTO Executive Secretary Lassina Zerbo, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Kim Won-soo, and students will have an interactive dialogue at the Vienna International Centre. The event offers an opportunity for students to share their views and thoughts on the CTBT, as well as to ask questions. At the same time, CTBTO and UNODA will be looking for new ideas and suggestions from the younger generation. |
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SIRIUS Summer School
Teenagers from the SIRIUS Summer School in Sochi, Russia, participated in an online seminar with CTBTO Directors on 16 August 2016, to learn about the CTBT's verification technologies and share their own ideas on ways to highlight the CTBT. The students were given the opportunity to present their recommendations to the directors of the CTBTO's technical divisions.
The seminar was organized by CTBTO Youth Group member Anastasia Shavrova with the purpose of raising awareness and interest among the younger generations about the Treaty and how its verification system deters and prevents nuclear testing. During the seminar, students came up with creative options to promote the Treaty to their peers. Ideas comprised involving celebrities and gaining opinion leaders’ endorsement, including nuclear issues in school curricula, and fostering cooperation with environmental organisations.
This online seminar was the first of its kind offered for high-school students that was initiated by youth, for youth. View more information on the project here.
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20 Years 20 Voices
The CTBT “20 Years 20 Voices” video series presents diverse perspectives on the topic of abolishing nuclear testing. Now in its 20th year, the Treaty is at a crossroad. Where to go from here, and how? |
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Upcoming Events of Relevance to the CTBT
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2016
November
December
- Wilton Park, Nuclear non-proliferation: Planning for 2020, Wiston House, Sussex, UK, 5 - 9 December
- Media/Youth Dialogue with the UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs and CTBTO Executive Secretary, Vienna, Austria, 6 December
- American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, USA, 12 - 16 December
2017
January
February
*These events are not affiliated with or hosted by the CTBT but are provided as a resource for potential engagement opportunities for GEM and Youth Group members. |
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William Perry
Ellen Tauscher
Angela Kane
Sha Zukang
Sahil Shah
Anastasia Shavrova
