UN Welcomes the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed Friday the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

It is stated to be the first multilateral legally binding instrument for nuclear disarmament to have been negotiated in 20 years.

“The impetus for the treaty reflects growing concerns over the risk posed by the continued existence of nuclear weapons as well as awareness of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that would result if nuclear weapons were ever used again,” said Stéphane Dujarric, a spokesman for the UN Secretary-General.

According to the UN statement released Friday, the treaty represents an important step and contribution towards the common aspiration of a world without nuclear weapons.

It added that the Secretary-General hopes the new treaty will promote inclusive dialogue and renewed international cooperation aimed at achieving the long overdue objective of nuclear disarmament.