76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Twelfth Article XIV Conference in support of the Entry-into-Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)
Statement by Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Rein Tammsaar
September 23, New York
Distinguished Co-Presidents, Dear Colleagues,
Estonia aligns itself with the statement of the European Union. In addition, I would like to make some comments in our national capacity.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty on 10 September 1996. 25 years later, 170 states have ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and 15 states have signed but not ratified it. There are still eight Annex II States remaining whose ratifications are needed for the Treaty to come into effect.
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is important because it prohibits nuclear weapon test explosions, as well as other nuclear explosions underground, under water and in the atmosphere.
Since 1945, more than 2000 nuclear tests have been carried out around the globe. This has affected both the people and the environment, not to mention the effects on the social and economic development.
Therefore, the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is in all of our interest. It is especially relevant in the context of an increased geopolitical power competition and the systematic erosion of rules and treaty based international security order.
Estonia supports all international efforts towards the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and urges all States, particularly the Annex II States, to sign and ratify the Treaty without further delay. The upcoming Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons serves a perfect occasion to this end.
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is already a success story. It´s verification regime and the effective work of the International Monitoring System make sure that no nuclear explosion goes undetected, enabling the international community to respond appropriately and deter non-compliance.
We call on all States to abide by a moratorium on nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions, and to refrain from actions that would undermine the objectives of the Treaty.
Thank you