Working towards a nuclear weapons-free world

This week in New York I will continue Australia's tireless efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.

At an international conference in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly, I will promote entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. This landmark treaty – signed by 183 states – prohibits nuclear explosions. Mechanisms already established under the treaty enable detection of nuclear test explosions and provide valuable information on tsunamis and other natural disasters.

I will also meet with ministerial counterparts from the 12-member Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative, which was co-founded by Australia. Together we will work on practical initiatives to strengthen the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty, the world's most important nuclear disarmament tool.

It is through such forums that Australia provides leadership towards a world without nuclear weapons. My focus will be on the practical and effective steps required for real progress on nuclear disarmament.

Such discussions play an important role in rallying the international community against North Korea's reckless nuclear and missile tests. The success of the existing mechanisms is why North Korea stands alone as the only nation to conduct nuclear tests this century.