Mr President,

Ministers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to begin by congratulating you sincerely, Minister Castaneda, upon your election as President of this 2nd Article XIV Conference. My delegation would like to assure you of our full support in your important duty.

The delegation of Finland fully subscribes to the views expressed by the Presidency of the European Union, Foreign Minister Michel of Belgium, a moment ago. Let me also convey our heartfelt sympathy to the people and Government of the United States for the tragic, terrible events of the 11th of September. This important conference gives us an opportunity to show the world our unfaltering resolve to go on working together for international stability.

Multilateral arms control instruments play a vital role in preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction. For Finland, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty represents an essential building block in the efforts of the international community to contain the proliferation of nuclear arns, thus contributing to nuclear disarmament. The CTBT can be seen as the product of persistent work pursued by arms control advocates over almost half a century. The Treaty's concrete significance to the promotion of international peace and stability has led to its ratification by an overwhelming majority of world nations. By banning nuclear weapon test explosions in every environnent, once and forever, the Treaty provides an efficient and credible means of preventing both horizontal and vertical proliferation of nuclear arms. Indeed, the treaty sets a precedent in multilateral arms control treaties by providing for a global verification regime that will make non-compliance practically always detectable.

Mr. President,

Five years have passed since the Treaty was opened up for signature here at the United Nations Headquarters. We have made remarkable progress since 1996 in approaching our final goal, that is the entry into force of the Treaty. As of today 161 states have signed and 84 ratified the CTBT. The Preparatory Commission bas continued to maintain a steady build-up of the global verification regime in order to have it fully operational by the time the Treaty will enter into force. The Provisional Technical Secretariat, in cooperation with the Signatory States, has provided a wide range of training programs for the technical personnel involved in operating the international monitoring system.

Finland is fully committed to the obligations of the CTBT and makes every effort to promote its entry into force without delay. Finland signed the Treaty on the first day it was opened up for signature and completed her ratification process in 1999. A Facility Agreement has been concluded between Finland and the Preparatory Commission, and the Primary Seismological Station located on our territory has already been certified.

Finland also actively supports the Provisional Secretariat in its training activities. We attach great importance to assisting developing countries in their endeavours to build capacity that is needed to implement the obligations under the treaty. This month Finland is hosting a training course where representatives of some signatory states are trained to work as National Data Centre operators.

Mr. President,

As demonstrated by the broad and high-level attendance of this Conference, the CTBT enjoys wide support of the international community. And by international community I do not only refer to the support of govemments but even more importantly, I think, to the unanimous support of the world civil society. It is therefore our responsibility to make sure that the momentum created behind the Treaty will be upheld in order to guarantee its entry into force in the near future. We, the Signatory States must join our forces to remove the obstacles still preventing us from reaching the final goal. By continuing to provide support and adequate financing to the Preparatory Commission we shall enable the timely completion of the global verification regime which in itself is an essential element in ensuring the effectiveness and credibility of the Treaty. By convincing those states who still are not with us today of the importance of signing and ratifying the CTBT without delay, we shall ensure the Treaty's entry into force. It is my sincere wish that this Conference will signify a major step forward in facilitating the attainment of this goal.

Thank you, Mr President.
 
 

Sources

• http://www.un.org/webcast/ctbt/statements/finlandE.htm