UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- As the world marks the 10th International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a stark warning at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly about rising global tensions and the resurgence of nuclear arms proliferation.
In his message, Guterres highlighted the growing geopolitical divisions and mistrust, which have escalated tensions and spurred a new nuclear arms race, saying that "instead of dialogue and diplomacy being deployed to end the nuclear threat, another nuclear arms race is taking shape, and saber-rattling is re-emerging as a tactic of coercion."
The secretary-general called on the international community to deliver a united and resolute message: the only way to eliminate the nuclear threat is to eliminate nuclear weapons. He stressed the interconnectedness of disarmament and non-proliferation, noting that progress in one area encourages advancement in the other. "States must pursue both as a matter of urgency," Guterres stated.
Addressing the responsibilities of nuclear-armed nations, Guterres urged them to lead by example by honoring disarmament obligations and committing to never use nuclear weapons, nor threaten to use them. He also emphasized the need to strengthen and adapt existing treaties and instruments aimed at preventing the spread and testing of nuclear weapons, particularly in light of technological advancements that could heighten the threat.
Guterres noted the recent Summit of the Future, where global leaders recommitted to revitalizing the disarmament regime through the Pact for the Future. This new global agreement, according to Guterres, is a critical step toward bringing the world closer to achieving the total elimination of nuclear weapons.
"Our future hangs in the balance," the secretary-general warned. "Let's eliminate these weapons from our world for good."
The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, observed annually on Sept. 26, serves as a reminder of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons and the urgent need for their complete elimination. The General Assembly declared the International Day in December 2013 as a follow-up to the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on nuclear disarmament held on Sept. 26, 2013, in New York. ■
