Mr. Chairperson

Allow me to congratulate you on your appointment to chair this Conference and to express my delegation's profound confidence in your leadership and guidance of this important conference.
 

Distinguished Delegates,

I take this opportunity also to thank Member States for deciding that this Conference should go ahead in spite of the devastating terror attacks on innocent people and the destruction of property in the United States of America. That this Conference should take place this time is a clear indication of the resolute and ordered approach by Member States to keep nuclear energy from terrorist proliferation. It would have been a failure and indeed an omission to postpone this vital conference, which is destined to create an essential component for global peace and security by enhancing an early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test ban Treaty. The United Nations should ensure that nuclear energy and weapons of mass destruction do not find their way into the hands of terrorists. As the world is witnessing a global coalition against terrorism we see greater resolve to enforce a comprehensive ban on nuclear weapons to avert a global catastrophe in the event terrorists gain access to them.

My delegation shares the view that, given the prevailing global security situation, this is the opportune time to enforce the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Mr. Chairperson, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen

My delegation believes that we owe it to ourselves and to posterity, to create a nuclear weapon free world, a world that is secure and free from weapons of mass destruction. It is our responsibility to ensure global security by fostering international co-operation in the area of the ban on nuclear tests, disarmament and non-proliferation of arms.
 

Mr. Chairperson,

Zimbabwe acceded to the CTBT on 13 October 1999 and followed this up by concluding a Memorandum of Understanding with the CTBTO, cognizant of the fact that the operationalization of a global verification regime would promote the early entry into force of the Treaty.

The ratification of the CTBT is high on the Agenda of the current Parliamentary session in Zimbabwe, and I can say with confidence that my country would soon be ratifying the CTBT.
 

Mr. Chairperson, I thank you
 
 

Sources

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