Talking Points for the Celebration of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests

Remarks by Egypt

The Conference on the Facilitation of the Entry into Force of the CTBT

Wednesday, 20 September 2017

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Thank you Mr. President,

Allow me at the outset to congratulate Belgium and Iraq for assuming their responsibilities as co-Presidents of the Conference and assure them of Egypt’s full cooperation.We would also like to express our appreciation for the efforts of Japan and Kazakhstan in leading process of facilitating the convening of the conference.

Mr. President

Egypt considers that the CTBT representsone of the attemptsby the United Nations in multilaterally addressing one important aspect of the continued threat of nuclear weapons,which is nuclear testing, through aiming at putting an end to nuclear tests with all the horrors they have caused to humanity, and the damages they have inflictedon our planet.

We welcome the inspiring message of H.E. the Secretary General and many other esteemed speakers.The central message of today’s deliberations was the recognition by the Majority of States of the critical importance of achieving timely and meaningful strides towards a new more action-oriented approach to eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons.

Mr. President

Egyptconsidersthe continuedexistence of nuclear weapons and the clear lack of implementation of article VI of the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and of the relevant unequivocal undertakings reached in several NPT Review Conferenceson achieving the universality of the treaty,as asignificant threat to humanity and international security, especially that the NPT continues to represent the cornerstone of international security and the core of the nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament regime.

Furthermore, we strongly reject those arguments which imply that the possession of nuclear weapons contributes to international stability. In fact, a closer look at today’s nuclear proliferation challenges would clearly reveal that this regime’s sustainability and credibility is facing unprecedented and increasing threats because of the continued existence of nuclear weapons. It is quite alarming an unacceptable that that the world still had to witness nuclear tests in the 21st century. Egypt,both individually and through its membership of the United Nations Security Council,has strongly condemned the nuclear tests of the DPRK.

Mr. President,

Despite the well-known known volatile nature of its region, Egypt has proven its good intentions by joining the NPT and fully implementing its relevant obligations. Egypt also actively participated in the negotiations leading to the CTBT and was one of its first signatories in 1996. Egypt took these steps because we value human life and international peace, and we commit ourselves to promoting the objective of nuclear disarmament. Egypt also continues to support the verification regime of the CTBT,which has evidently reached an impressive level of development.

Nevertheless, the Middle East continues to be one of the flagrant examples of the threats that the nuclear nonproliferation regime is facing as a consequence of the lack of universal adherence to the NPT,which has created a severe security imbalance in the region’s security architecture, and left the region prone to arm races and conflicts. The region witnesses an increasing and unprecedented level of frustration, especially by the Arab countries, due to the repeated failures to achieve the agreed commitments onthe establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. We look forward to the revitalization of serious efforts to address this situation.

Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues,

Several recent developments, such as the adoption of the “Humanitarian Pledge” as codified in the relevant UNGA resolutions, as well as the recent adoption ofa landmark Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, that was open for signature this very morning, represent clear indications that the majority of Non-Nuclear-Weapon States who have truly committed themselves to the principle of nuclear disarmament are becoming increasingly impatient regarding the necessity to seriously address the gaps and imbalances of the prevailing nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation regime.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, the continued dangers and threats of nuclear weapons, including through testing, remain an existential threat that must be vigorously and tirelessly addressedby the United Nations until we manage to rid the entire world of these weapons and this threat. Egypt continues to strongly believe that the goal of “Global Zero” is not only realistic and attainable, but that it is also a necessary requirement to maintain sustainable international peace and stability.

Thank you Mr. President.