Statement by Minister-Counsellor Mr. Nobuyuki KIKUCHI at the 66th Session of Working Group A
2024/10/16
Thank you, Chair.
I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to Ambassador Evangelina Lourdes Arroyo-Bernas, for her exemplary leadership of Working Group A (WGA), as well as the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) for their commendable efforts in organizing this meeting.
[2025 Budget Update proposals]
Chair,
The PTS is to be commended for their efforts in advancing efficiency and reducing costs in the final 2025 Budget Update proposal, compared to the previous one. It is of particular importance to engage in budgetary discussions at the WGA, given the rising costs of maintaining the International Monitoring System (IMS).
In view of the above, I would also like to touch on the significance of the Advisory Group (AG) as well as the WGA, for the effective functioning of the CTBTO.
[Importance of the International Monitoring System]
Chair,
At the outset, as part of realistic and practical efforts towards a world without nuclear weapons, Japan would like to underscore the significance of the CTBT. It places a qualitative cap on nuclear weapons development. It is therefore essential that we ensure the continued viability of the verification regime to detect nuclear tests, which is contingent upon the IMS. To achieve this, we must ensure the long-term sustainability of the IMS.
[Financial Position and IMS sustainment strategy]
Chair,
Considering the challenging fiscal circumstances, Japan's fundamental stance on the budgets of international organizations remains that of Zero Nominal Growth.
In this regard, we would like to express our gratitude to the PTS for issuing the IMS sustainment strategy on its financial approach and for providing us with three financial scenarios that we can study to find solutions.
We would be grateful if the PTS could provide us with an initial budget proposal for the next biennium, including activities other than the IMS sustainment, at the earliest convenience.
We take this opportunity to encourage the PTS to consider ways to improve efficiency and to develop plans that could be accommodated by signatories. We are hopeful that a solution that is acceptable to all States Signatories can be found through continued discussions.
[Entry-Into-Force and Universalization]
Chair,
We recognize that the entry-into-force and universalization of the Treaty has always been and remains an important issue that requires our collective attention. Since Executive Secretary Dr. Floyd took office in August of 2021, two countries, Dominica and Somalia have signed the treaty, and nine countries, Gambia, Tuvalu, Dominica, Timor-Leste, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea have ratified the Treaty. We are hopeful that others will follow suit. We admire the great efforts of the Executive Secretary in this regard and thank you for your commitment and dedication. We urge all States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the Treaty without further delay, in particular the remaining States listed in Annex 2, with a view to further advancing the CTBT.
Japan was honored to hold the 11th Ministerial Meeting in New York as a member of the Friends of the CTBT, with the invaluable support of the Executive Secretary and his team. We would like to express our gratitude to all States Signatories and countries that took part in the meeting and endorsed the Joint Statement. We kindly request that all States Signatories that have not yet done so to consider associating themselves with the Joint Statement. We believe that the 11th Ministerial Meeting has contributed to the growing sense of momentum towards the early entry into force of the Treaty and its universalization.
We would also like to appreciate the leadership of Panama and Norway as the coordinators of the Article XIV Conference and hope that next year's Conference will serve as an important opportunity to enhance momentum for the early entry into force of the Treaty.
[Challenges against the Nuclear Disarmament & Non-Proliferation Regime]
Chair,
Japan expresses serious concerns over the advancement of North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities. We urge North Korea not to conduct any destabilizing or provocative actions, including a nuclear test. Japan also urges North Korea to comply with its obligations under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, to return to full compliance with the NPT at an early date and to sign and ratify the CTBT.
[Closing Remarks]
We are committed to demonstrating our ongoing support to the Treaty and its work through our WGA discussions, which we are certain will enhance understanding and a sense of solidarity.
Thank you, Chair.
I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to Ambassador Evangelina Lourdes Arroyo-Bernas, for her exemplary leadership of Working Group A (WGA), as well as the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) for their commendable efforts in organizing this meeting.
[2025 Budget Update proposals]
Chair,
The PTS is to be commended for their efforts in advancing efficiency and reducing costs in the final 2025 Budget Update proposal, compared to the previous one. It is of particular importance to engage in budgetary discussions at the WGA, given the rising costs of maintaining the International Monitoring System (IMS).
In view of the above, I would also like to touch on the significance of the Advisory Group (AG) as well as the WGA, for the effective functioning of the CTBTO.
[Importance of the International Monitoring System]
Chair,
At the outset, as part of realistic and practical efforts towards a world without nuclear weapons, Japan would like to underscore the significance of the CTBT. It places a qualitative cap on nuclear weapons development. It is therefore essential that we ensure the continued viability of the verification regime to detect nuclear tests, which is contingent upon the IMS. To achieve this, we must ensure the long-term sustainability of the IMS.
[Financial Position and IMS sustainment strategy]
Chair,
Considering the challenging fiscal circumstances, Japan's fundamental stance on the budgets of international organizations remains that of Zero Nominal Growth.
In this regard, we would like to express our gratitude to the PTS for issuing the IMS sustainment strategy on its financial approach and for providing us with three financial scenarios that we can study to find solutions.
We would be grateful if the PTS could provide us with an initial budget proposal for the next biennium, including activities other than the IMS sustainment, at the earliest convenience.
We take this opportunity to encourage the PTS to consider ways to improve efficiency and to develop plans that could be accommodated by signatories. We are hopeful that a solution that is acceptable to all States Signatories can be found through continued discussions.
[Entry-Into-Force and Universalization]
Chair,
We recognize that the entry-into-force and universalization of the Treaty has always been and remains an important issue that requires our collective attention. Since Executive Secretary Dr. Floyd took office in August of 2021, two countries, Dominica and Somalia have signed the treaty, and nine countries, Gambia, Tuvalu, Dominica, Timor-Leste, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea have ratified the Treaty. We are hopeful that others will follow suit. We admire the great efforts of the Executive Secretary in this regard and thank you for your commitment and dedication. We urge all States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the Treaty without further delay, in particular the remaining States listed in Annex 2, with a view to further advancing the CTBT.
Japan was honored to hold the 11th Ministerial Meeting in New York as a member of the Friends of the CTBT, with the invaluable support of the Executive Secretary and his team. We would like to express our gratitude to all States Signatories and countries that took part in the meeting and endorsed the Joint Statement. We kindly request that all States Signatories that have not yet done so to consider associating themselves with the Joint Statement. We believe that the 11th Ministerial Meeting has contributed to the growing sense of momentum towards the early entry into force of the Treaty and its universalization.
We would also like to appreciate the leadership of Panama and Norway as the coordinators of the Article XIV Conference and hope that next year's Conference will serve as an important opportunity to enhance momentum for the early entry into force of the Treaty.
[Challenges against the Nuclear Disarmament & Non-Proliferation Regime]
Chair,
Japan expresses serious concerns over the advancement of North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities. We urge North Korea not to conduct any destabilizing or provocative actions, including a nuclear test. Japan also urges North Korea to comply with its obligations under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, to return to full compliance with the NPT at an early date and to sign and ratify the CTBT.
[Closing Remarks]
We are committed to demonstrating our ongoing support to the Treaty and its work through our WGA discussions, which we are certain will enhance understanding and a sense of solidarity.
Thank you, Chair.