The U.N. chief is calling for the disarmament of nuclear weapons now, warning that the world could not survive a “sequel of Oppenheimer.”
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00:00 We meet at a time when geopolitical tensions and mistrust have escalated the risk of nuclear warfare to its highest point in decades.
00:09 The doomsday clock is ticking loudly enough for all to hear.
00:14 From academics and civil society groups calling for an end to the nuclear madness,
00:20 to Pope Francis, who calls the possession of nuclear arms immoral,
00:26 to young people across the globe worried for their future, demanding change,
00:31 to the Hibakusha, the brave survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
00:36 among our greatest living examples of speaking truth to power, delivering their timeless message of peace.
00:44 To Hollywood, where Oppenheimer brought the harsh reality of nuclear doomsday to vivid life for millions around the world.
00:55 Madam President, humanity cannot survive a sequel of Oppenheimer.
01:01 Voice after voice, alarm after alarm, survivor after survivor are calling the world back from the brink.
01:09 And what is the response?
01:12 States possessing nuclear weapons are absent from the table of dialogue.
01:17 Investments in the tools of war are outstripping investments in the tools of peace.
01:24 Arms budgets are growing, while diplomacy and development budgets are shrinking.
01:29 Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and domains in cyber and outer space,
01:35 have exposed new vulnerabilities and created new risks.
01:40 Countries are pouring resources into deadly new nuclear technologies and spreading the threat to new domains.
01:50 Some statements have raised the prospect of unleashing nuclear hell, threats that we must all denounce with clarity and force.
01:58 Nuclear weapons are the most destructive weapons ever invented, capable of eliminating all life on Earth.
02:06 Today, these weapons are growing in power, range and stealth.
02:12 An accidental launch is one mistake, one miscalculation, one rash act away.
02:19 And ultimately, all of humanity will pay the price.
02:24 A nuclear war must never be waged, because a nuclear war can never be won.
02:30 There is one path, and one path only, that will vanquish this senseless and suicidal shadow once and for all.
02:38 We need disarmament now.
02:40 I previously addressed the Security Council nearly two and a half years ago.
02:46 And so I did emphasise some of the things that have changed since last time.
02:51 Last time, there was 185 state signatories. Now, 187 out of a possible 196.
02:59 This is near universal support.
03:02 Last time, 170 ratifications of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, the CTBT.
03:10 Now, 178. Public awareness is at a higher level, in part due to the Oppenheimer movie.
03:18 But anxiety is probably at a much higher level too.
03:23 Anxiety of states that they're concerned that some states may use a nuclear weapon.
03:30 My responsibility is for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
03:36 And so we are looking at that step where a state would need to test a device if they were to establish a nuclear weapon capability.
03:45 That is why this ban is so important, is it stops the spread of nuclear weapons to new states.
03:53 It also limits the ability for states to develop different classes of weapons.
03:57 And we also face an opportunity now to do something for the next generation.
04:05 That there could be hope of a world without nuclear tests and a world without nuclear weapons.
04:11 That we could leave this world in a better place by finishing the job before us.
04:19 And seeing this treaty enter into force and all of its verification mechanisms becoming available.
04:25 That all could sleep better at night.