Media release: September 25, 2009

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) today welcomed the unanimous adoption of the historic UN Security Council resolution 1887.

“This is the most significant commitment in many years by key nuclear powers to work towards a nuclear-weapon-free world. It is a watershed moment. Abolition has been placed firmly on the global political agenda,” said ICAN spokesperson Dr Bill Williams.

“But the resolution lacks details on precisely how and when a nuclear-weapon-free world will be achieved. What we need now is a clearly defined road map to zero within an agreed time frame.

“UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s call for a legally binding nuclear weapons convention — a comprehensive disarmament treaty — has enormous merit. In fact, it is the surest way of achieving the complete elimination of nuclear weapons in a timely fashion.

“The need for swift action is obvious. Every moment the nuclear-weapon states delay doing away with their arsenals, the risks of further proliferation increase. Complete nuclear disarmament must be a near-term goal rather than a distant dream.

“If Australia is to have any real influence in the process, it must begin championing a legally binding, verifiable and time-bound nuclear weapons convention. We don’t need more half-measures. The political climate is right for a comprehensive ban.

“Canada led the treaty-making process to ban land mines. Norway led the process to ban cluster bombs. Why doesn’t Australia take the lead on abolishing the worst weapons of all?”