UN chief reaffirms commitment to nuclear disarmament

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has reaffirmed the United Nations' commitment to nuclear disarmament, urging for an early entry into force of a treaty in the aspect.

Until nuclear weapons are completely eliminated, "they continue to pose a threat to our common well-being", Ban said on Tuesday.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), but 20 years after it was signed, the treaty has yet to enter into force, he said.

Open for signature in 1996, the legally binding CTBT is a multilateral treaty by which states agree to ban all nuclear explosions.

Ban urged countries to boost the entry into force of the treaty by signing and ratifying it "without further delay".

Over 4,000 entries were submitted in the contest sponsored by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs. Three winners and nine honourable mentions were announced.

--IANS

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