Thirty years ago, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) opened for signature.
Australia was proud to bring its text before the General Assembly.
Today, the CTBT is one of the strongest pillars of the global non-proliferation and disarmament architecture.
By constraining the development and improvement of nuclear weapons, it brings us closer to our shared goal of a world without them.
In three decades, the Treaty has achieved near universal support.
188 States have signed. 179 have ratified.
I congratulate the Kingdom of Tonga on its recent ratification, which completes universalisation of the Treaty across the Pacific region.
Our region knows the cost of nuclear testing firsthand.
That is why the Pacific believes nuclear testing belongs to history.
Yet the norm against nuclear testing is under serious strain.
There are alarming claims that certain states have conducted explosive nuclear testing.
The CTBT has underpinned a global norm against nuclear testing that benefits all states and it is in every state’s interest to maintain it.
Any nuclear explosion – of any yield – could have irrevocable consequences.
We urge all relevant states to honour their respective moratoria and refrain from actions that would defeat the Treaty’s object and purpose.
And we continue to push for new, concrete measures to restore confidence in these moratoria.
The devastating humanitarian and environmental toll of past tests demands restraint.
For states who are yet to ratify the CTBT, I urge them to do so without delay.
In this context, we must make it clear that Australia strongly opposes Russia’s revocation of its ratification of the CTBT.
That Russia would even countenance a return to nuclear tests is an affront to all who want a world without nuclear weapons.
Australia and partners continue to call on Russia to reverse this course of action.
The Treaty’s entry into force will not only ensure a permanent and legally binding ban on nuclear testing, it would also activate the Treaty’s verification regime, including On-Site Inspections to clarify events of concern.
Next month’s Integrated Field Exercise – generously hosted by Namibia – will strengthen our collective readiness and technical capability.
The International Monitoring System (IMS) is nearing completion, with over 90 per cent of a planned 337 facilities operating.
Its value goes beyond verification.
It detects earthquakes and other events that could trigger tsunamis, helping to protect communities from disaster.
Australia proudly hosts the world’s third-largest number of IMS installations.
Colleagues, thirty years on, our task is clear.
We must turn near-universal support into entry into force.
We owe that to the victims of past nuclear testing.
We owe it to future generations.
We owe it to all our peoples, for our shared security.
Australia will continue to push for action and we call on all states to do the same.
We are pleased to join fellow members of the Group of Friends in supporting the Joint Statement and encourage other States to join us.
Thank you.