Mr. President,

I am pleased and honoured to stand before this important conference.

We must never forget our vision, a world free of weapons of mass-destruction. Nuclear disarmament is a long-standing priority of the Swedish Government, but today multilateral disarmament is at a crossroads.

- Still some countries insist on continuing nuclear testing. The international community has repeatedly called on India and Pakistan to carry out the steps outlined by the UN Security Council in its resolution 1172.

- The Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea has still not abandoned its dangerous policies of proliferation, which threatens peace and stability not only on the Korean peninsula, but in fact all of us.
 
- The US plans for a strategic missile system risk having a negative impact on disarmament, non-proliferation and the whole NPT-process. The ongoing consultations are welcome, but the outcome is still uncertain.

We acknowledge the threats posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. But we do not think this can be met by unilateral actions. It is a global problem that requires a multilateral response, built on the already existing safety net against proliferation.

But also new threats challenge our common security.

- Only the other day the terrorist-network of al-Qaeda declared that they are in possession of nuclear weapons. Whether this is true or not, the situation after the horrible terrorist-attacks in New York and Washington proves more than ever the importance of the process towards disarmament and arms control.

These are all examples of the still existing risk of a new arms race.

US - Russian talks on making deep cuts in strategic and tactical nuclear arsenals are long overdue, and should be accompanied by effective mechanisms of verification and irreversibility. Such legally binding agreements can never be replaced by unilateral declarations.

Global problems require multilateral solutions. We are convinced that, in order to be sustainable, international as well as national security depend on multilateral frameworks and platforms. This is especially clear for small countries. That is also why the United Nations remains a cornerstone in Swedish foreign policy.

Mr. President,

Three years ago, the New Agenda Coalition was launched. This is a group of states with a common concern for the lack of progress in nuclear disarmament, and a common vision of a nuclear-weapon-free world. In Sweden's case, this initiative was rooted in a strong belief in multilateral disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation.

Multilateral arms control has produced impressive results. Last year, the 187 States parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty adopted by consensus a road map towards nuclear disarmament. Based on an unequivocal undertaking by the nuclear-weapon-states to fully eliminate their nuclear arsenals, an action plan in twelve steps towards accomplishing this goal was agreed. All States parties have pledged to achieve a nuclear-weapons-free world under strict and effective international control. The NPT provides a firewall against the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament.

We have a number of important instruments to prevent testing, banning production of weapons material and improving verification. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, a Fissile Material Cut off Treaty and the Additional Protocol to the IAEA Safeguards agreement are three interrelated and powerful tools that pave the way for the twin objectives of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Clearly, we should now concentrate on their implementation.

Mr President,

We are convinced that all States would gain from adhering to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. The CTBT makes sense.

It puts the threshold higher for the acquisition of nuclear weapons.
It prevents a qualitative arms race, and
Its effective verification system builds confidence.

We deeply regret that the United States, as the only country, did not vote in favour of the procedural decision on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in the UN General Assembly's First Committee last week, and stated that it does not support the Treaty.

We also regret the decision, by the US senate, to reject the Treaty. We call upon the United States to reconsider its position. Another 13 countries have yet to ratify the Treaty to allow for it to enter into force. I call on each and everyone of you - Algeria, China, Colombia, DR Congo, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, United States and Vietnam - not to hold this Treaty hostage. The overwhelming majority wishes nuclear testing to belong to the past. Let this conference be a show of force.
 
Mr. President,

Multilateral disarmament cannot wait. The tasks ahead of us are too important.

Now is the time to implement the 13 steps for nuclear disarmament. The NPT Final Document from last year gave us a road map for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The NPT and the non-proliferation regime must be strengthened.

Now is the time to put an end to nuclear testing. The CTBT will put a cap on new nuclear weapons development. It will stop more countries from acquiring these weapons. Let the Treaty enter into force.

Now is the time to halt the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons. We should immediately start, and bring to a conclusion, negotiations on Fissile Materials Cut-Off-Treaty. Such a Treaty will be a vital tool in halting development of new nuclear weapons.

Now is the time to reinforce our efforts to contain proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery vehicles. Terrorists must never be able to threaten us with these weapons. We need to strengthen the security net against proliferation.

And now is the time to promote multilateral solutions, and to refrain from unilateral decisions that may cause a new arms race and a more insecure world.

Thank you, Mr. President.
 

Sources

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