Mr. President,

First of all, on behalf of the delegation of Ukraine let me express my sincere congratulations on your election to this post. Ukraine highly appreciates the important role of Mexico in facilitating the disarmament process and nuclear non-proliferation. My delegation pledges to support in every possible way your efforts to ensure that this Conference brings productive results.
 

Mr. President,
Distinguished delegates,

I believe that our meeting today in New York is significant. Five years have passed alter the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was opened for signature in this city. In our view, this Conference provides us with a unique opportunity for comprehensive analysis of the process of the Treaty's entry into force and for determining the strategies for co?ordination of further steps in this field.

It took 40 years to arrive at the CTBT as an effectively verifiable international instrument. Since the 1999 CTBT Review Conference much progress has been made in the ratification process. The global infrastructure, including the International Monitoring System and the International Data Center was set up in pursuance of the Treaty.

The CTBT has been signed by 161 States and ratified by 84. At the same time, despite the growth in number of States Parties to the Treaty, the prospects for its early entry into force remain vague.

So far, only 31 of the 44 States whose ratification is required for the Treaty to enter into force have ratified it. Only three of the five nuclear weapon states - France, Russian Federation and the United Kingdom - have ratified the Treaty.

Ukraine calls upon those states that have not yet either signed or ratified the Treaty to do so as soon as possible.
 

Mr. President,

Ukraine was one of the first countries to sign the CTBT in 1996. Last year Ukraine ratified this important international instrument. Subsequently, the Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty Organization on the Conduct of Activities, Including Post-Certification Activities Relating to International Monitoring Facilities for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty was also ratified by Ukraine.

Consistent and rigorous steps aimed at nuclear threat reduction have become an integral part of the foreign policy of Ukraine. We have repeatedly stressed and continue to stress the need for concerted efforts for global reduction of nuclear weapons with the ultimate goal of their complete elimination. In this regard I would like to emphasize that two weeks ago, on October 30th, 2001, Ukraine completed the fulfillment of its respective obligations under the Treaty on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (START I Treaty) by eliminating the last silo for intercontinental ballistic missiles SS-24.
 

Mr. President,

The global threat of terrorism underscores the importance of strengthening and further developing the international legal base in the field of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. In our view, it could be done, in particular, through the elaboration of efficient international verification mechanisms and through the attainment of universality and comprehensiveness of the fundamental treaties. This would be an important contribution to reaching international peace, security and stability.

In the current international environment the role of the CTBT becomes increasingly essential. Decisive steps by the international community are needed for ensuring the implementation of the Treaty's provisions. The universalization of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT) and bringing about the entry into force of the CTBT are among the major tasks of the international community. Ukraine has repeatedly stressed the importance of the CTBT as an integral element of the international security system. We also attach special importance to adherence to the global nuclear testing moratorium. We call upon nuclear weapon states to further demonstrate their firm determination to observe their obligations in this respect.

Ukraine supports the efforts of the Preparatory Commission for the CTBT Organization and of its Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) aimed at laying the foundations for the future CTBT Organization. We believe that this Organization should play a leading role for achieving the universality of the Treaty as well as in coordinating collective efforts to that end.

In conclusion, Mr. President, let me express our hope that this Conference will give further momentum to the ongoing international efforts towards the total elimination of all nuclear weapons. We consider that the Final Declaration to be adopted by the Conference should carry an important signal in this regard. I would like to assure you that Ukraine remains a strong supporter of the CTBT and active promoter of its earliest entry into force.

Thank you.

Sources

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