World leaders have shown their commitment to move towards a world free of nuclear weapons, the Prime Minister has said after the UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution aimed at preventing nuclear proliferation and reducing nuclear weapons stockpiles.
Gordon Brown said today’s meeting, chaired by President Barack Obama, was a recognition that the world had reached a “decisive moment” in negotiations on the future of nuclear armaments.
- Watch the PM’s address to the council on the United Nations website
The resolution calls for increased efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, promote disarmament and “reduce the risk of nuclear terrorism”.
Addressing the council, the PM said:
“With the unanimous agreement today, with the leadership of President Obama and with the great speeches that have been made around this table, we are sending a united and unequivocal message that we are committed to creating the conditions for a world free from nuclear weapons.”
Speaking to the UN General Assembly yesterday, Mr Brown announced his wish to form a “global bargain” between countries with and without nuclear weapons.
This would include preventing countries acquiring nuclear weapons, helping non-nuclear countries to develop civil nuclear power, and reducing the nuclear weapons already held by countries such as the UK and US.
Speaking at today’s meeting, he repeated his commitment that the UK will consider reducing its fleet of nuclear submarines as part of a wider agreement for countries to reduce their nuclear arms.
The PM also stressed that it was important to learn from what had happened in North Korea and Iran. He added that Iran “must not allow its actions to prevent the international community from moving forward” on nuclear disarmament.
The Prime Minister is attending meetings at the United Nations during a four-day trip to the US. On Thursday, he will go to Pittsburgh to take part in the G20 Summit.
Previous story: Nations urged to work together on five “urgent challenges”
delicious
digg
facebook
