I congratulate you on your election to the important post as Chairman of this Conference on facilitating the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

Allow me to begin by referring to the horrific events of 11 September. Denmark strongly condemns all forms of terrorism and wishes to express its solidarity with the American people and the government of the United States.

Mr. President,

Denmark fully subscribes to the statement on the CTBT by the European Union Presidency on behalf of the Union.

The adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in September 1996 was a major event in the history of multilateral arms control and disarmament. After more than four decades of failed attempts, the members of the international community had finally come together in agreement upon a truly comprehensive ban on nuclear testing.

Denmark was among the first countries to ratify the CTBT. Denmark also participates actively in the construction of the international monitoring system and is pleased to host two of the facilities attached to it. We are cooperating closely with the Provisional Technical Secretariat in establishing both facilities.

Mr. President,

Five years have passed since the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty was opened for signature. What does the balance sheet show?

The overwhelming majority of UN Member States have signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Many have ratified the Treaty, and the number of ratifications is continuously increasing. At the same time, work on the international monitoring system continues at a steady pace, in Vienna and around the world.

And perhaps most important: even if we still await the entry into force of the Treaty, it is clear that it has already made a strong contribution to the establishment of international norms in the area of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. No UN Member State has conducted nuclear explosions since we last met in 1999, and no Member State has announced the intention to do so.

Mr. President,

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty was adopted in the 20th century.  However, the Treaty remains relevant also for the 21st century, if not more so. We are moving towards a truly global international system. As our nations are growing increasingly interdependent, threats to security and stability that were previously considered local issues become global in scope. More than ever before we have realised that security is indivisible.

Global threats call for a global response. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty constitutes a crucial element of that response. By prohibiting nuclear explosions of any kind, the Treaty prevents the development of new nuclear weapons, as well as the improvement of existing weapons. The Treaty thus provides an important support for the aims and obligations of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. That is why last year’s NPT Review Conference called upon all Member States to join the CTBT - without delay and without conditions.

The CTBT and the NPT are mutually reinforcing instruments. Together they provide the strong normative and legal framework the international community needs to counter nuclear proliferation and to travel down the path towards nuclear disarmament. They also depend upon each other for their continued strength. The weakness of one will inevitably translate into the weakness of the other.

Denmark would therefore call upon all states to use this opportunity to reaffirm the historic importance of the CTBT and urge all states that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the Treaty - without delay and without conditions.

Thank you, Mr. President
 

Sources

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