Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly to Commemorate and Promote the International Day against Nuclear Tests

 
Let me begin by thanking you, Mr. President, for convening this virtual meeting. Since this year marks the 75^th anniversary of the first ever use of nuclear weapons, I attach great importance to this event which provides unique opportunity to the Member States to renew their commitments to nuclear disarmament.
 
We are currently facing a deteriorating security environment, a divergence of views on nuclear disarmament, and the growing threat of the proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. Against the backdrop of anxiety and uncertainties caused by these challenges, it is all the more important that we continue to promote tangible cooperation, step by step towards the ban on nuclear tests. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is a critical instrument in this regard that provides specific and effective tools, including its verification regime.
 
Japan has consistently strived to facilitate the entry-into-force of the CTBT and deeply regrets that some Member States have not yet signed and ratified it. Japan calls upon all Member States, especially the remaining eight Annex II States, to sign and ratify the Treaty without further delay to clear the way for its early entry into force.
 
The efforts of the State Signatories to the CTBT, including the build-up of the International Monitoring System (IMS), play a crucial role in effectively deterring nuclear tests. Japan encourages all State Signatories to strengthen their monitoring capabilities in order to upgrade the reliability of the CTBT verification regime.
 
Human resources are essential for constructing and maintaining a robust regime. Japan has been assisting the capacity building of personnel supporting the regime by accepting 271 trainees from 79 states in total to participate in Global Seismological Observation Training since 1995. Japan will continue to contribute to the human resource development in this area.
 
The CTBT verification regime has no doubt contributed to the maintenance of international security, particularly with regard to the issue of North Korea. Japan will remain committed to the goal of achieving complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement (CVID) of all of North Korea’s nuclear weapons, existing nuclear programs and related facilities in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions. We call on all Member States to fully implement these resolutions.
 
Current difficult circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic or the “new normal” expected to emerge in the post-COVID-19 era must not wither our common aspiration toward a world free of nuclear weapons. Opposition to, and a ban on, nuclear tests are the indispensable elements of this endeavor. I sincerely hope that the determination we have shown today will contribute to the realization of this goal.