AKIPRESS.COM - Kairat Abdrakhmanov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, and Dr Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary of the CTBTO, released a Joint Statement on August 29 on the occasion of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests.

The two "reaffirm their commitment to realizing a world free of nuclear testing and renew their resolve to achieve the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)."

"A historic decision to close the Semipalatinsk testing site, which was made by the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev on 29 August 1991, sent a strong political message and contributed to the international efforts that led to the adoption of the CTBT in 1996. Over the years, Kazakhstan has provided strong support for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and demonstrated determination to achieve the elimination of nuclear weapons. In 2008, the CTBTO held the first large-scale on-site inspection (OSI) integrated field exercise in Semipalatinsk," the statement said.

In addition, during the past two years, Kazakhstan, as a Co-coordinator of the Article XIV process alongside Japan, has led the global efforts to facilitate the entry into force of the Treaty.

Kazakhstan, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2017-2018, is tirelessly supporting international efforts aimed at strengthening the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime, and highlighting the danger that nuclear weapons pose to global peace and stability.

"As we gather to observe this International Day Against Nuclear Tests, it is important to remind ourselves that much has been accomplished. As of today, the CTBT has already achieved near universal adherence, with 183 States Signatories and 166 ratifying States. Its verification regime is approaching completion. The regime has already proven its resilience and effectiveness. We reaffirm our commitment to supporting this regime, which is crucial for enhancing international security and confidence-building," the statement said.

The two urge those states that have not yet signed or ratified the Treaty to do so without delay. 

"It is high time to bring the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty into force. We owe it to ourselves, and to future generations," the statement said.