Secretary-General Urges Revival of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Warns Arms Control is Dying

Press Release
- Secretary-General
- Statements and Messages
SG/SM/23106

27 April 2026

‘Arms Control is Dying,’ Secretary-General Warns Review Conference, Calls for ‘Breathing New Life’ into Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the eleventh Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, in New York today:

Thank you for joining us.  This Conference provides a timely opportunity to stand together and safeguard humanity from the grave threat of nuclear annihilation.

The global goal of eliminating nuclear weapons stretches back to the UN General Assembly’s very first resolution in 1946.

But sadly, people’s memories are short.  It was not so long ago that children learned to huddle under their desks in case of a missile launch.  That the nuclear arms race forced us to build fallout shelters.  That nuclear testing destroyed pristine environments and vulnerable communities.  That humanity lived under the shadow of potential nuclear Armageddon.

Today, a state of collective amnesia has taken hold.  Nuclear sabres rattle once more.  Mistrust rules the day.  Hard-won norms are eroding.  Arms control is dying.

Global military spending soared to $2.7 trillion last year — 13 times more than all development aid globally and equivalent to the entire gross domestic product (GDP) of Africa.

For the first time in decades, the number of nuclear warheads is on the rise. Nuclear testing is back on the table. Some Governments are openly mulling the acquisition of these horrific weapons.

Have we forgotten that a nuclear war cannot be won and must not be fought? Have we forgotten that nuclear weapons make no one safer?  Have we forgotten that the only reason the world did not tumble into the abyss was because leaders stood together and said:  “Enough”?

Across the decades, we developed a web of instruments to prevent the use, proliferation and testing of nuclear weapons — and achieve their total elimination.

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is the bedrock of those efforts.  A meeting ground for countries to strengthen our common security.  And an example of multilateralism in action.

For too long, the Treaty has been eroding.  Commitments remain unfulfilled.  Trust and credibility are wearing thin.  The drivers of proliferation are accelerating.

We need to breathe life into the Treaty once more.

As you begin your deliberations today, I urge you to focus on two key points.

First — countries must keep their promises under the Treaty.  Without caveats.  Without conditions.  Without delays.  Without excuses.

It’s time to re-commit to disarmament and non-proliferation as the only true path to peace.  By reinforcing the norm against nuclear testing.  By strengthening the safeguards system and the [International Atomic Energy Agency] IAEA’s oversight.  And by agreeing the measures needed to prevent nuclear war.

Second — your discussions should lay the groundwork for the Treaty to evolve.

Today, the nuclear threat is compounded by new dangers from rapidly evolving technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.  The Treaty is not a relic of a former age, frozen in amber.

It must grapple with the nexus between nuclear weapons and new technologies. It must ensure that, until nuclear weapons are eliminated, humanity never cedes control over their use.  And it must help expand access to the benefits of nuclear science and technology for sustainable development.

The Treaty is only as strong as countries’ commitment to it.  With your support and engagement, the Treaty can remain an active and strong foundation for a world free of nuclear weapons in our fast-moving age.

Outside this Hall today, brave survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki — the hibakusha — have organized a stirring exhibition to remind leaders of their responsibilities.  But this is more than an exhibition.  This is an alarm reminding us of the cost of nuclear warfare.

In 2024, their organization — Nihon Hidankyo — was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of their tireless work and moral leadership.

They survived the worst of humanity to show us the best of it.  Every year, their numbers grow fewer.

But their message to the world could not be more timely and urgent.  Disarmament is not the reward for peace.  Disarmament is the foundation of peace.

So, before it’s too late:  Let’s break the collective amnesia around nuclear weapons.  Let’s renew faith in what we can achieve when we stand as one. Let’s act with urgency to lift this cloud hanging over humanity.  Thank you.

Disarmament
For information media. Not an official record.