On the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on world leaders to recommit to nuclear disarmament and halt all nuclear testing. Speaking on September 26, 2025, Guterres emphasized that the threat of nuclear weapons remains “unacceptable and growing,” citing rising geopolitical tensions and the modernization of arsenals.

He urged Member States to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which has yet to enter into force despite broad international support. Guterres warned that continued testing undermines global security and increases the risk of catastrophic conflict.

The Secretary-General also highlighted the importance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), calling them essential tools for building a safer, more peaceful world.

“Nuclear weapons have no place in our future,” Guterres stated, urging governments to prioritize diplomacy, transparency, and trust-building. He reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to a world free of nuclear threats and called on civil society to keep pressure on leaders to act.