Statement by FM Haavisto in the Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

Statement by H.E. Mr Pekka Haavisto Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland in the Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, United Nations, New York, 25 September 2019

Distinguished Co-Presidents,

Excellencies,

Esteemed participants,

In addition to the statement delivered by Her Excellency Ms Federica Mogherini on behalf of the European Union, I would like to add a few remarks in my national capacity.

The topic of our meeting today could not be more important or timely. Given the current security environment, securing the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty is indeed more urgent than ever. Our task today is to identify concrete measures to help us to finally reach that aim. Let me share a few thoughts on this.

Firstly, ratification by the Annex 2 States remains the key to the CTBT’s entry into force.

The eight remaining Annex 2 States have been repeatedly called upon to sign and ratify the Treaty without further delay. That call has been heard loud and clear also today. I call in particular on the DPRK to follow through on its stated intention to end nuclear testing by signing and ratifying the CTBT.

Pending ratification, we encourage the remaining Annex 2 States to provide, on a voluntary basis, information on the practical steps they have taken towards ratification (as agreed in the final declaration adopted today). This would be an important signal of their continued commitment to the Treaty and its aims.

Universalisation amongst non-Annex States is equally important for strengthening the norm against nuclear testing. Many States have over the years declared their support for the CTBT, but have yet to sign or ratify the Treaty. As a first step, these States could be encouraged to become accredited observers to the CTBT Preparatory Commission. This would enable them to attend CTBTO meetings and obtain data from the CTBT International Monitoring System (IMS) – useful also for civil and scientific purposes.

Pending entry into force of the CTBT, maintaining moratoria on nuclear testing remains crucial. We welcome the fact that all States but one, the DPRK, have voluntarily committed to a nuclear weapon test moratorium. Yet it is clear that a moratorium can never substitute a global treaty with legally binding obligations. Our work will not be done before the CTBT is in force.

We commend the Executive Secretary and the Preparatory Commission for their dedicated work in developing the verification regime of the CTBT. Finland is proud to host one of the IMS’s primary seismic stations, and will continue its support to the network also in the future. The IMS has demonstrated its invaluable role in detecting nuclear tests, and in addition, has also proven its utility for civil and scientific purposes, including for tsunami warning systems and other disaster alert mechanisms. In this regard, capacity building and the sharing of relevant experience has played a key role.

Distinguished Co-Presidents,

The CTBT remains a core element of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. Progress towards its universalisation and entry into force is all the more important in view of the 2020 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The NPT and the CTBT are inextricably linked, and the CTBT deserves a prominent place in the deliberations of the Review Conference.

As a longstanding member of the “Friends of the CTBT”, Finland will continue active work to ensure its swift entry into force, including at the NPT Review Conference.

Thank you.

Speeches held by Ministers and the top leadership of the Ministry.