The goals of peace and security have always rested at the foundation of the United Nations agenda, but they have perhaps never been more prominent in our minds than they are this week as world leaders, ministers and delegates gather in New York City.

The threats faced by the world community today are complex, diverse and unpredictable. The events of September 11 reinforce the need for states and international bodies to take every possible measure, consistent with the rule of law and with the values that characterise our societies, in order to assure the safety of our citizens and the security of our nations.

Since September 11, governments have undertaken a wide range of domestic measures, political actions and, for some of us, military commitments. But these are only part of the global security framework that we require to achieve our goals.

From the statements of the criminal Osama bin Laden, there is no doubt that weapons of mass destruction form a part of the terrorist agenda. It scarcely need be said that there exists a real threat from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons. To keep these weapons from becoming the tools of terrorists, we need to build an international treaty system with effective commitments and with compliance mechanisms ensuring that these weapons are not produced, stockpiled or used. This is our best protection against having weapons of mass destruction fall into the wrong hands.

We need a strong and responsible global arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament regime that is governed by clear, resilient and universally held rules and norms. Much work, legal expertise, scientific study and political will have been devoted over years and decades to building such a regime. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is a pillar of this global security architecture ? but we need universal adherence to it.

The entry into force of the CTBT is an urgent and compelling necessity.

This treaty is based on and provides strength to the same partnerships and coalitions that are now so essential to the fight against terrorism. It is rules-based and provides clear terms for compliance, implementation and verification. It also underscores the principle of preventive action ? the greatest assurance of security that we can have.

The successful conclusion of the CTBT in 1996 ? after more than 30 years of study and negotiation ? was a landmark achievement in the cause of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Halting all nuclear test explosions will restrain the enhancement of existing nuclear arsenals and will diminish the political value of nuclear weapons. The Treaty also aims to impede states with nuclear aspirations from developing or acquiring new weapons technology of their own. In short, the CTBT represents a key step forward toward the shared objective of all States Parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty: the elimination of nuclear weapons.
 The benefits are clear to Canada and the 161 countries that have signed the CTBT, including 85 that have ratified it. This is a good treaty. So good that it anticipates the factors that might slow down its own ratification. Treaty Article XIV, paragraph 2 (which Canada played a key role in conceiving and drafting) specifically tasks signatories with ensuring continued forward movement on entry into force. This is why we are meeting now.

This treaty will enhance our individual and collective security. Also requiring special mention in this forum today are the verification measures of the CTBT, which some non-ratifying states have questioned. Canada considers the verification provisions of the Treaty to be both complete and effective. They are based on the very best scientific and technical expertise and analysis. Long before the CTBT was completed, we had in place a program of scientific work providing us with a unique opportunity to test, refine and carefully calibrate the Treaty?s verification provisions. To everyone here I commend this afternoon?s seminar on CTBT verification, sponsored by Canada, Sweden and Australia, and organised by the Verification, Research, Training and Information Centre, which will review these key provisions of the Treaty.

The essence of a sound multilateral regime is shared custodianship and responsibility. Our treaty regime ? part of the effective functioning of the International Monitoring System ? requires us all to play our part. Our multilateral system, including our arms control and disarmament architecture, must work on the basis of sound and resilient agreements that are undertaken, fulfilled and implemented.

As other delegations have commented at this conference, Canada too welcomes the announcement by the United States that it will maintain its voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing. However, we are disappointed that the United States is not also proceeding with ratification of the CTBT, and we urge it to reconsider.

We must all continue to urge countries that have not yet joined the CTBT to do so. I myself have written to my counterparts in each of the 13 remaining countries whose ratifications are still needed for this treaty to enter into force. Canada will be continuing both our bilateral and multilateral efforts in this regard; I urge all of you to do likewise.

Right now our citizens are asking us to make the world a safer place ? not to engage in a new arms race that will again pit states in competition, but rather to undertake co-operation, as is so urgently needed at this time. The universalization and entry into force of the CTBT will enhance the safety and security of our people and of this planet. Let us act now to make it a reality.

Thank you.
 

Source

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