The first President of Kazakhstan received the status as a champion for a world free of nuclear tests

The first President of Kazakhstan received the status as a champion for a world free of nuclear tests

NUR-SULTAN, August 26, 2020 – the First President of Kazakhstan-Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev received the status as a champion for a world free of nuclear tests. It was announced at a Special session of the UN General Assembly, organized on the occasion of the International day against nuclear tests – August 29.

Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary of the comprehensive nuclear-test-ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), initiated the awarding of Nursultan Nazarbayev in recognition of the special historical contribution of Kazakhstan during its leadership to the global efforts to build a nuclear-free world. The unprecedented decision of Elbasy to close the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, one of the largest in the world, on August 29, 1991, was recognized not only as the first legal ban on nuclear testing in the history of mankind, but also became a significant basis for the establishment of the International day.

According to the initiators, the "Champions" will conduct targeted outreach to States that have not yet signed the CTBT in order to improve their understanding of the benefits of cooperation with the CTBTO, as well as share their best practices, such as Kazakhstan's voluntary dismantling of its nuclear infrastructure.

Former Finnish President Tarja Halonen was also given the same status. The "Champions" simultaneously become members of the CTBTO group of eminent persons.

During The special session of the UN General Assembly, the message of Elbasy N. Nazarbayev addressed to the participants of the event was read by the Minister of foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tleuberdi.

"Having gained independence in 1991, Kazakhstan made a voluntary choice in favor of giving up the fourth most powerful nuclear weapons Arsenal on the planet. History has confirmed the correctness of this step – we have shown by our vivid example that it is possible to move in a peaceful way on the way to progress and prosperity," the President said in his message.

The first President of Kazakhstan also appealed to the international community to follow the example of Kazakhstan and join forces to stop the nuclear madness. "I believe that the leaders of the United States, Russia, China and the European Union bear a special responsibility for the future of the planet. I am convinced that if the summit is held in this quadrilateral format, one of its main themes should be the elaboration of a multilateral agreement on the gradual and proportional reduction of nuclear weapons. Kazakhstan is ready to provide its own platform for this summit," Elbasy said in his appeal.

This year, the traditional high-level event of the UNGA for objective reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic was held in an online format. Opening the meeting, the Chairman of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, Muhammad Tijani-Bande, emphasized the leading role of Kazakhstan in promoting the course of banning nuclear tests. He stressed that since 1945, more than 2000 nuclear tests have been conducted in the world with devastating consequences for the planet and several generations of people. "After 75 years since the creation of the UN, the nuclear threat still exists, thousands of nuclear weapons are stored in warehouses and ready for use," the President of the UN General Assembly said.

United Nations High representative for disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu presented a solemn greeting to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the event. She echoed the words of the UN Secretary-General, who said that there was no justification for further delay in achieving the noble goal of a global ban on nuclear tests, and called on the world's States to sign and ratify the comprehensive nuclear-test-ban Treaty. Izumi Nakamitsu also added that in the current difficult geostrategic environment, the international community should redouble its efforts to defend the norm against nuclear tests.

In addition to the Executive Secretary of the CTBTO, Lassina Zerbo, the former President of Finland, Tarja Halonen, civil activists of the States affected by nuclear tests – Karina Lester (Australia) and Selina lim (Marshall Islands), as well as representatives of UN member States, addressed the meeting.

During the special session of the UNGA, with the participation of about 300 participants from UN member States, authoritative international organizations and NGOs, as well as the media and civil society, there was a meaningful exchange of views and an assessment of the ongoing efforts to establish a final ban on nuclear testing through the early entry into force of the CTBT.

The participants of the General Assembly meeting, expressing gratitude to Kazakhstan for its leading role in the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, noted the fundamental importance of constantly keeping this issue in the focus of attention of the international community. In this regard, many noted the high significance of the annual international day against nuclear tests, initiated by Kazakhstan.

On June 18, 2009, at a solemn event dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the end of testing at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, President of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev took the initiative to declare August 29 as the world day of renunciation of nuclear weapons. As a result of the agreement, the UN General ASSEMBLY adopted a resolution declaring August 29 as the International day against nuclear tests, according to which events are held annually to remind the world of the terrible consequences of nuclear tests and prevent their resumption in the future.