Co-Presidents,

All of us are here today with one vision: the entry into force of the CTBT – a key instrument in the broader goal of global nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament. By stigmatizing any nuclear explosions on the planet, the CTBT will likewise play a role in addressing the deep concern with respect to the catastrophic consequences of any use of nuclear weapons.

The Philippines, therefore, reiterates its deep concern that the CTBT has yet to enter into force.  The Philippines joins again the overwhelming number of countries in calling upon the eight (8) remaining Annex II States to ratify this instrument.

We appreciate the CTBTO Provisional Technical Secretariat, CTBT States Signatories, Friends of the CTBT, and other multilateral mechanisms including those within the UN for undertaking actions that are supportive of ratification.  It is worth noting that CTBT is nearing universalization, with total ratifications of 168 so far – clearly demonstrating the broad international support for this instrument.

The Philippines is firmly committed towards building a world free of nuclear weapons – it is a national policy enshrined in the Philippine Constitution. The Philippines is a contracting party to key multilateral and regional instruments, including the CTBT, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty. We have taken active roles in relevant mechanisms to support and to pursue, among others, the entry into force of the CTBT.

The Philippines supports the CTBT Article XIV Conference mechanism, including through its high-level participation. We have endorsed the Joint Ministerial Statement on the CTBT adopted at the Ninth Ministerial Meeting of the Friends of the CTBT last September 2018. In the current NPT review cycle, the Philippines has consistently highlighted the relevant 13 Practical Steps outlined in the 2000 NPT Review Conference Final Document and the 64-Point Action Plan contained in the 2010 NPT Review Conference Final Document.

With regard to the Korean Peninsula, the Philippines reiterates the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Joint Communique issued in July 2019, where Foreign Ministers of ASEAN Member States stressed the importance of continued dialogue among all parties in order to realize lasting peace and stability in a denuclearized Korean Peninsula. We remain committed to all the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, and note the international efforts to bring about the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The verification regime under the CTBT has proven to be robust and effective, as demonstrated in response to the nuclear tests by the DPRK. The Philippines commends the Provisional Technical Secretariat for its continuous efforts towards the further build-up of all elements of the verification regime under the CTBT.

In particular, we appreciate the PTS’s work in the establishment of the International Monitoring System (IMS); the functioning of the International Data Center (IDC) in Vienna; and the ongoing development of on-site inspection capabilities. The Philippines will continue to transmit timely, quality data. In this regard, all of our IMS stations have been certified, and they have achieved optimal level of performance including the transmission and receipt of relevant data.

The Philippines appreciates the fact that the IMS and the IDC have also demonstrated their utility in bringing tangible scientific and civil benefits, including for a tsunami warning system, that can be broadly shared by the international community as appropriate. We underline the importance of capacity building and sharing of relevant expertise, such as through the holding of Science and Technology Conferences.

The Philippines also commends the Provisional Technical Secretariat and fellow States Signatories for the successful outcome of the CTBT Science and Technology 2019 Conference last June.

Co-Presidents,

The Philippines expresses full support for the adoption of draft “Final Declaration and Measures to Promote the Entry into Force of the CTBT.

Much work and greater concerted efforts need to be done in the face of the sobering developments in the world today. Again, we call on the eight remaining Annex II States to summon the necessary political will to take urgent steps to ratify this instrument. The Philippines will join fellow States Signatories and the Provisional Secretariat in taking concrete and actionable steps to further contribute to efforts towards the early entry into force of the CTBT, including through the implementation of actions contained in the Final Declaration and Measures.

Thank you.

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