National Statement by Ambassador Foo Kok Jwee, Permanent Representative of Singapore to the CTBTO Preparatory Commission, at the CTBT 20th Anniversary Ministerial Meeting, 13-14 June 2016

Mr Chairman,

At the outset, let me first express my delegation’s deepest condolences to the victims and their families of the horrific and tragic shooting in Orlando over the weekend. 

Singapore and Singaporeans stand in solidarity with the United States and the American people during this time of grief.

My delegation would like to express our appreciation to you, Executive Secretary Dr Lassina Zerbo, and the Provisional Technical Secretariat for organising this meeting to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). 

Mr Chairman,

The CTBTO plays an important role in ending nuclear testing and strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Over the past 20 years since its inception, the CTBTO – with its global reach – had proven its value in the detection of possible nuclear tests, including the most recent test by the DPRK in January 2016.

The CTBTO had also contributed to the global community in other ways.  In the area of emergency preparedness and disaster mitigation, the CTBTO’s International Monitoring System (IMS) provided important information on the spread of radioactive particles and noble gases during the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident in 2011. 

The IMS picked up seismic and hydroacoustic data that enabled the Japanese authorities to issue tsunami warnings in a timely manner, thus saving valuable lives. 

The CTBTO’s exercises and field experiments also enable a regular assessment of the on-sight inspection (OSI) regime, to make sure that it will be fully operational once the Treaty enters into force.

I want to take this opportunity to recognise, and applaud, the good work done by the CTBTO, all its past Executive Secretaries and its dedicated staff over the past 20 years.

Mr Chairman,

The CTBT is key to realising the vision of a world free of nuclear weapons.

It makes clandestine nuclear testing virtually impossible, curbs the development and proliferation of new nuclear weapons, thereby contributing to the enhancement of international peace and security. 

Nuclear testing also pollutes water, causes cancers, and contaminates the environment with radioactive fallout for generations to come.

It is thus in our common interests to have a legally-binding prohibition of nuclear explosions in all environments for both military and civilian purposes. 

But as noted by so many speakers before me, the entry into force of the CTBT is long overdue. 

We therefore call on all countries that have yet to sign and ratify the Treaty, in particular the Annex 2 countries, to do so as soon as possible.

Singapore signed the CTBT in 1999 and ratified the Treaty in 2001.

Singapore will also continue to do our part and support all efforts towards a world free from nuclear testing and nuclear weapons. 

We are currently exploring ways where we can collaborate with the CTBTO Preparatory Commission in capacity-building and to support the CTBTO’s functions.

We hope that the day when CTBT enters into force, when we have a world free of nuclear tests, when the scientific benefits of the CTBTO’s activities can be enjoyed more widely, will come sooner than later. 

I thank you Mr Chairman.

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