Non-Aligned Movement Conference stresses importance of CTBT

The Thirteenth Conference of Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) closed on 25 February with the approval of a Final Document which strongly supports the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Chapter I of the Final Document deals with global issues. Paragraph 79, under the section headed Disarmament and International Security, reads: "The Heads of State or Government reiterated the Movement's long-standing principled position for the total elimination of all nuclear testing. They stressed the significance of achieving universal adherence to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), including by all the Nuclear Weapons States, which, inter alia, should contribute to the process of nuclear disarmament. They expressed their satisfaction that 166 States have signed the Treaty and 97 States have ratified it thus far. They reiterated that if the objectives of the Treaty were to be fully realised, the continued commitment of all States signatories, especially the Nuclear Weapon States, to nuclear disarmament would be essential." The Conference of Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned Movement is NAM's highest decision-making authority, and its decisions are action-oriented. The Thirteenth Conference's Final Document outlines a set of actions to promote peace, security, justice, equality, democracy and development in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law.