United Nations

NEW YORK, 22 May (UN Headquarters) — The following statement was issued by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Saturday, 20 may, at the conclusion of the 2000 Review Conference of the parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT):

 For the first time in 15 years, the States parties to the 187-member Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons were able to reach a historic consensus on several issues crucial to the security of all the peoples of the United Nations.

 The Secretary-General is convinced that today’s announcement marks a significant step forward in humanity’s pursuit of a more peaceful world -- a world free of nuclear dangers, a world with strengthened global norms for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

 He notes that this consensus extends to new efforts aimed at the total elimination of nuclear weapons, a reinvigorated effort to halt the global spread of nuclear weapons, and a strengthening of essential standards governing the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

 The Secretary-General congratulates the Conference’s President, Ambassador Abdallah Baali of Algeria, for his efforts throughout the Conference to reach a consensus, and all participating delegations for their flexibility, commitment, and clear vision in agreeing to this impressive result.