To Speakers of Parliament of
the State Parties
Geneva, 18 September 2019
Dear Madam Speaker,
Dear Mr. Speaker,
Nuclear weapons are the most dangerous weapons on earth. The use of these weapons would have
unacceptable human, environmental and economic consequences, and the risk of proliferation is a threat to
all. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is a cornerstone element for achieving nuclear
disarmament and non-proliferation, which requires unremitting active support and dedicated contributions
by all States. In an increasingly volatile geopolitical context, we are writing to ask for
your support to put
an irrevocable end to nuclear test by ensuring the urgent entry-into-force of the CTBT, an
indispensable step to achieve a world without nuclear weapons.
The CTBT prohibits nuclear weapon test explosions by everyone and everywhere, with a legally-binding
and technologically verifiable regime. The implementation of the CTBT will make it considerably more
difficult for countries to develop nuclear weapons for the first time, or for countries that already possess
them to develop more powerful ones. It would also prevent the devastating and harmful effects on the lives
and health of people, animals and the environment caused by nuclear testing. It is both a non-proliferation
instrument and a catalyst for disarmament that can enhance transparency and confidence.
In September 1996, the CTBT, after being adopted by a large majority, exceeding two-thirds of the General
Assembly's Membership, began its long journey towards becoming a globe spanning, legally binding Treaty.
As of today, the Treaty is almost universal. It has been signed by 184 states and ratified by 168. The CTBT
verification system is operational and exceeding all expectations in terms of coverage and detection.
Among the mandatory 44 states ("Annex 2 States") that need to ratify the CTBT to allow for its entry-into-
force, 36 have taken this step. Yet, eight of the "Annex 2" States have not given final approval to the Treaty,
preventing its entry-into-force.
In 2014, the IPU adopted a landmark
resolution on parliaments’ role in achieving a nuclear-weapons-free
world which urged parliaments to work with their governments to promote a nuclear weapons free world
through a nuclear test free world and use all available tools to monitor the implementation of commitments
to disarmament. A review of the implementation of this resolution will be organized by the IPU Standing
Committee on Peace and International Security during the 141
st
Assembly in Belgrade, Serbia, next
October.
Your country is already a Party to the Treaty, and we congratulate you on this outstanding move towards a
nuclear weapon free world. As a parliamentarian, you represent the people of your country, who seek
peace, development and security. As member of the institution of state that has legislative, oversight and
budgetary powers, you have important responsibilities in making sure that the provisions of the Treaty are
fully translated to national laws, budgets and programs and we thank you for your achievements and
continuous attention in this regard.
As a parliamentarian, you also have key leverage through regional and international inter-parliamentarian
dialogue to call for and engage parliamentarians of States which have not yet done so to urgently sign and
ratify the CTBT. You can engage and build coalitions with other parliaments or cluster of parliaments, the
media and the civil society, all the forces that share the goal of a more secure and peaceful world. The IPU,
alongside the CTBTO, is committed to assisting you should a need arise for advice or support.
To counter the world's biggest threat, the nuclear weapons’ threat, and ensure sustainable security for now
and future generations, we must combine our efforts to finish what we started and ensure the
universalization of the CTBT as soon as possible. CTBT is a decisive and urgent step to advance nuclear
disarmament and non-proliferation.
Yours sincerely,
Martin Chungong
IPU Secretary General
Lassina Zerbo
CTBTO Executive Secretary