EU Statement – United Nations: Fourteenth Article XIV Conference in support of the Entry-into-Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)

EU Statement - United Nations: Fourteenth Article XIV Conference in support of the Entry-into-Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)

26 September 2025, New York - European Union Statement at the Fourteenth Article XIV Conference in support of the Entry-into-Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)

- CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY -

Distinguished Co-Presidents,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.

The Candidate Countries Montenegro^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^* and Georgia, and the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Andorra, Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

1. I thank the Secretary General for convening this Conference and thank all distinguished high representatives of State Signatories for their engagement and support.

2. Let me start by congratulating Sweden and the Philippines on assuming the Presidency of the Article XIV Conference, and express our appreciation to Norway and Panama for their work as previous Coordinators. I assure you of the European Union's full support and cooperation in our collective efforts to promote the CTBT's entry into force.

Distinguished Co-Presidents, Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. We have gathered here today at a time marked by Russia's continued illegal war of aggression in Ukraine, increased global and regional tensions and continuing proliferation crises.

1. During these challenging times, when multilateralism is under increasing pressure, we must redouble our efforts to uphold and strengthen the international nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament architecture, promote the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty and advance towards its entry into force.

Distinguished Co-Presidents, Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. The CTBT is a key pillar of our collective security and an indispensable multilateral instrument to advance towards nuclear disarmament and prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions represent a serious danger to international peace and security, and undermine the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. Halting all nuclear weapon and other nuclear explosions limits the development of new or improved nuclear arms and thus serves as an effective support for disarmament and non-proliferation in all its aspects. The EU stresses that all States Signatories are obliged to refrain from any action that would defeat the object and purpose of the CTBT, pending the Treaty's entry into force.

2. Promoting the entry into force and universalisation of the CTBT remains a top priority of the European Union. All 27 EU Member States have ratified the Treaty, and we remain strongly committed to it. The CTBT would codify the global norm against nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosion and reinforce international peace and security.

3. Since our last meeting, Papua New Guinea has ratified the Treaty bringing us one-step closer to its universalization. It is regrettable that no further progress was made among Annex 2 States that still need to sign or ratify the Treaty. The EU deeply deplores the unprecedented decision by the Russian Federation, contrary to its NPT and other commitments, to revoke its ratification of the CTBT.

4. The EU calls on all States, which have not yet done so, to sign and ratify the Treaty, without any preconditions or delay. It is crucial for international peace and security that all States fully abide by the moratorium on nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosion, and refrain from any action contrary to the object and purpose of the Treaty. In this regard, we call on all States to continue to honour their engagements and reaffirm their commitments.

5. No state should conduct nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions. The EU strongly condemns the nuclear tests carried out by DPRK and urges the DPRK to comply with its obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions to refrain from testing nuclear devices and ballistic missiles, reaffirm the moratorium on long-range ballistic missile and nuclear tests, and sign and ratify the CTBT without any preconditions or further delay.

6. While the goal of bringing the Treaty into force has not been achieved yet, the CTBT has established itself as a strong, fully verifiable instrument, signed by 187 States and ratified by 178.

7. Its International Monitoring System has already demonstrated its value in providing independent and reliable data that will help deter non-compliance and strengthen transparency. Following the DPRK's nuclear tests, reliable and independent data was quickly available for decision-makers, enabling the international community to respond appropriately and swiftly. The fact that all States Signatories already adhere to its objectives further demonstrate the CTBT's strength and value. Its entry into force will outlaw nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions in a verifiable way, for good. This is what we must continue to strive for.

Distinguished Co-Presidents,

1. The EU is a strong supporter of the CTBTO. Since 2006, the EU has provided extra budgetary contributions of more than 29.5 million Euros for the strengthening of the CTBTO's monitoring and verification capabilities. The EU considers that IMS data should be exploited also for civil and scientific purposes, following the precedent of its use for tsunami warning that was approved by consensus, and supports capacity building in this regard. We call upon all States to honour their financial obligations and step up their political support for the CTBTO. At the same time, ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of the verification regime, through adequate funding, remains crucial.

2. On its part, the EU will continue to use every opportunity to advocate the Treaty's prompt entry into force and universalization in international fora and with third countries that have not yet signed or ratified the Treaty.

Thank you.