UN chief vows to work for nuclear-free world

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon on Sunday vowed to work towards a world free of weapons of mass destruction noting that there is a 'new window of opportunity for disarmament and non-proliferation.'

"I pledge to continue to do everything in my power to advance the goal of a world free of weapons of mass destruction," he said at a meeting with the key UN agencies dealing with nuclear and chemical weapons.

"Today there is a new window of opportunity for disarmament and non-proliferation. I am convinced there is much we can do to achieve our common goal," Ban said at a meeting of officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

He vowed to continue building support for an action plan for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The UN secretary-general pointed out that several developments in 2009, including the 'historic Security Council Summit' that discussed nuclear non-proliferation chaired by United States President Barack Obama, indicated that a significant progress has been made towards attaining the goal.

The summit had witnessed the passing of a nuclear non-proliferation resolution and Obama committed to a new agreement with Russia to reduce nuclear war heads.

The resolution called upon all states to 'refrain from conducting a nuclear test and to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treat.'

"Last year, we saw several encouraging developments. This year, we have much on which to build and a heavy agenda going forward," Ban said.

"Building on the historic Security Council summit last September, I will encourage the Council to provide political support for the full implementation of treaty obligations and the strengthening of the treaty organs," he said.

At that time, the United Nations and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had asked nine states including India to sign up the CTBT, however, New Delhi expressed reservations.

A major event on nuclear non-proliferation will be the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in May.

"The treaty is facing a number of challenges. A successful outcome would strengthen confidence not only in the Treaty but also for the collective global effort to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons," Ban said.

"I will promote the universality of the relevant treaties and conventions," he said.

Before the big event, Ban will be attending the upcoming session of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva in January, the Global Zero Summit in Paris in February and the Summit on Nuclear Security in Washington in April.

"These events will help generate momentum for the May NPT Review Conference," he said.

Image: UN Sectretary General Ban Ki-moon