Introduzione al meeting dell’Assemblea Generale della Risoluzione su “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Preparatory Commission For The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization” pronunciata dal Rappresentante Permanente dell’Italia alle Nazioni Unite, Ambasciatrice Mariangela Zappia —
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair
Allow me first of all to express my appreciation to the Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Dr. Lassina Zerbo, for his statement and for his report on the major activities carried out by the Preparatory Commission and by the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) in 2017.
Today’s debate on the cooperation between the UN and the CTBTO in the General Assembly provides the international community with an opportunity to renew its commitment towards the ultimate goal of a peaceful and secure world, free of nuclear weapons.
A progressive approach, based on concrete and verifiable measures aimed at enhancing mutual confidence and increasing the perception of a solid international security may play a decisive role in furthering such a goal. The entry into force of the “Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty” has a crucial place among nuclear disarmament measures.
During the past two decades, despite not entering into force, the CTBT has paved the way for a moratorium on nuclear tests that in the 21st century has been implemented by all Countries in the world but one, and through its Preparatory Commission and Provisional Technical Secretariat, it has led to the setting up of a highly effective and fully reliable global monitoring system, whose invaluable role in quickly providing trustworthy and independent data has been repeatedly demonstrated. Progress along the way towards non-proliferation and disarmament requires, however, that the current voluntary moratorium on nuclear test explosions be translated into a binding norm, by means of the CTBT’s entry into force.
Our shared commitment is crucial to reach this goal. As the 2018 CTBTO PrepCom Chair, Italy invites all partners to work closely together to turn political momentum into action and, eventually, reality.
Mr. Chair,
In this very spirit, following a consolidated practice by the Countries which have chaired the CTBTO Preparatory Commission and consistent with the cooperation agreement concluded between the United Nations and the Preparatory Commission in the year 2000, the delegation of Italy wishes to submit to the General Assembly draft resolution A/73/L.22, titled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization”.
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations, as well as of the report of the Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO, and noting with appreciation the establishment of the CTBTO New York Liaison Mechanism in June 2017, the text envisages the decision to include in the provisional agenda of the seventy-fifth session of the General Assembly, under the item “Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations”, a sub-item specifically devoted to discuss the cooperation between the United Nations and the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO. In this regard, the Secretariat has informed us that an oral amendment is required regarding PP.3 which should read as follows: “Noting with appreciation the establishment of the UN-CTBTO New York Liaison Mechanism in June 2017”.
Chair,
This resolution, which has been submitted biennially for several years, performs a procedural function but, above all, it has a political value.
The activities that the PrepCom and the PTS are performing pursuant to the Treaty and to the Resolution establishing the Preparatory Commission to foster non-proliferation and security contribute to the realization of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. A tight cooperation between the United Nations and the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO serves therefore the interests of the international community. Synergies are in fact mutually beneficial and need to be pursued with determination.
Against this backdrop, we are confident that the General Assembly will be willing to approve the draft resolution we have submitted, as a means to continue keeping non-proliferation and disarmament high on our agenda.
Thank you.
