Nuclear weapons ban treaty to enter into force: UN

Fifty countries have ratified an international treaty banning nuclear weapons, allowing the historic text to enter into force after 90 days.

The United Nations announced on Saturday that it had received ratification from the 50th country, Honduras, which was needed to trigger the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised the 50 states that ratified the treaty and saluted "the instrumental work" of civil society in facilitating negotiations and pushing for ratification.

“[The treaty] represents a meaningful commitment towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons, which remains the highest disarmament priority of the United Nations,” Guterres said, according to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

The UN chief said the move will “draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons.”

He added that the treaty was “a tribute to the survivors of nuclear explosions and tests, many of whom advocated for this treaty.”

The move was hailed by anti-nuclear activists across the world but strongly opposed by the United States and  other major nuclear powers.

Can we have your attention?




Related Contents

UN Says Yemen Prisoner Swap Talks Failed

UN Says Yemen Prisoner Swap Talks Failed

The UN-brokered talks between Sanaa-based Yemeni revolutionaries and Saudi-backed exiled government officials over prisoner exchange have failed, the office of UN Yemen Envoy Martin Griffiths said.

|

Yemen warring sides kick-start prisoner swap talks in Jordan: UN

Yemen warring sides kick-start prisoner swap talks in Jordan: UN

Fresh talks between delegations from Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah movement and Saudi-backed former government have begun over exchange of hundreds of more prisoners, as part of steps taken to revive stalled UN-brokered peace negotiations, the United Nations says.

|

EU adds Syria’s foreign minister to sanctions blacklist

EU adds Syria’s foreign minister to sanctions blacklist

The European Union has added recently-appointed Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad to its sanctions blacklist, as Damascus has repeatedly said the Western restrictions come in clear disregard of international law and the UN Charter.

|

Users Comments