Statement by Minister-Counsellor Mr. Nobuyuki KIKUCHI at the 63rd Session of the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO

2024/11/11
Thank you, Chair,
I am deeply honored to have this opportunity to share our views with Executive Secretary (ES) Dr. Floyd and his team at the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) as well as with the distinguished representatives and delegations of the States Signatories.

[Executive Secretary Dr. Floyd’s Achievement]

Chair,
First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Executive Secretary Dr. Floyd for his tireless efforts. Dr. Floyd has been relentlessly advancing the cause of the CTBT to promote the entry into force and universalization of the Treaty. The remarkable achievements of securing one new signatory and nine new ratifications during his first term has underscored the CTBT`s vital importance to the global community.

I also commend the Executive Secretary for his efforts to strengthen the verification regime, including increasing the number of certified International Monitoring System (IMS) facilities, maintaining high-quality IMS data and International Data Center (IDC) products, and the preparations for the 3rd Integrated Field Exercise (IFE) in Sri Lanka possibly in 2025. Furthermore, his dedication to strengthening the PTS's functions, such as filling vacant positions and improving gender and geographical representation, has contributed to the organization's vitality.

These accomplishments are a testament to the profound expertise and capabilities of the ES and the PTS and have significantly contributed to strengthening the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.
Yet, while these achievements are commendable, there remains a pressing need for further efforts to bring the CTBT into force. In particular, we urge all States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the Treaty without further delay, especially the remaining States listed in Annex 2. 

In this regard, I hope that Executive Secretary Dr. Floyd will continue to demonstrate his leadership in promoting the CTBT’s universalization and in ensuring the PTS’s efficient and effective operations. 

[Strengthening Verification Regime and Budget]

Chair,
Japan views the CTBT as an essential instrument for advancing toward a world without nuclear weapons and is actively working to promote its entry into force and strengthen its verification regime.
In particular, we place great importance on maintaining the functionality and effectiveness of the verification regime and has emphasized on allocating a significant portion of its budget to support the verification regime. Japan also appreciates the PTS's efforts to reduce its expenses in the fiscal year 2025 budget.
While Japan's fundamental stance on the budgets of international organizations remains that of Zero Nominal Growth, considering the importance of the CTBT, we intend to work with the PTS to ensure that the budget for the upcoming biennial fiscal periods will adequately meet the demands of IMS sustainment as long as each of the States Signatories can endorse.

[Entry-Into-Force and Universalization]

Chair,
Furthermore, to promote the entry into force of the CTBT, Japan actively undertakes initiatives, such as holding the Ministerial Meetings as a member of Friends of the CTBT and engages with non-signatory and non-ratifying states. 
In this context, we hope that next year's Article XIV 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 North Korea’s advancement of 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]

In closing, we are sure that we will have fruitful and constructive discussion in this last session of the Preparatory Commission this year of 2024 and will be able to celebrate our joint endeavor with shared good faith. And, Japan sincerely hopes that we will continuously work on important agenda in front of us in the coming year of 2025 with renewed commitment, renewed leadership and renewed solidarity among all of us.

Thank you, Chair.