A robust Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) is essential to take steps towards checking nuclear proliferation and achieving disarmament, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday, marking the 40th anniversary of the UN-backed pact's opening for signature.
"The treaty has suffered serious setbacks and faces multiple challenges to its credibility, though it has also seen steady progress and significant measured success," Ban said in a statement.
He highlighted the efforts of some nuclear-weapon states towards decreasing their arsenals and speeding up dismantlement.
In spite of international backing for the objectives of nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation, the secretary-general pointed out that tens of thousands of nuclear weapons still remain.
"Nuclear proliferation -- whether by states or non-state actors-- threatens everyone, and therefore requires global cooperation in addressing noncompliance, in resolving concerns over nuclear programs, and in ensuring the most reliable controls over nuclear materials," the statement said.
Characterizing the NPT, to which there are nearly 190 parties --as the "most effective multilateral instrument" to curb nuclear proliferation and realize disarmament, Ban said that "we must reinforce and strengthen it to meet the challenges of the day."
Source:Xinhua
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