António Guterres calls for global ban on nuclear testing

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a global ban on nuclear testing, stating that such tests “destroy trust, fuel nuclear arms races, and betray every community still living with the legacy of past nuclear tests.”

Guterres urged nations to implement the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and recommit to ending these activities. His remarks follow an announcement by Russia regarding the test launch of a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that the solid-fuel missile was launched from the Plesetsk military space base in the Arkhangelsk region and reached its target at the Kura test range in the Kamchatka region. Moscow stated the launch was intended to verify the “tactical, technical, and flight characteristics of the missile system.”

While the CTBT was adopted in 1996 to prohibit all nuclear explosions, it has not officially entered into force because several key countries have not ratified it. Full activation requires ratification by all “Annex 2” countries that possessed nuclear technology during negotiations. As of 2026, 188 governments have signed the treaty and 179 have ratified it.