President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to a world free from nuclear threats and vowed to persuade other nations to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
Mr. Marcos pledged during a meeting with Robert Floyd, executive secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), at Malacañan Palace on Tuesday.
“In a nuclear war, no one wins,” Mr. Marcos said in a statement following the meeting. “A world free from nuclear threat is a safer home for all,” he added.
The Philippines has been a signatory to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) since 1996.
The treaty aims to prevent nuclear weapons testing and limit the development of nuclear arms. While the treaty has yet to enter into force due to the non-ratification of some key countries, the Philippines continues to advocate for its universal adoption.
Floyd requested President Marcos’ assistance in encouraging the leaders of Tonga, Bhutan and Nepal to sign and ratify the treaty.
While Tonga remains the last South Pacific nation yet to sign, Nepal has faced challenges in completing its ratification process due to frequent changes in its leadership, Floyd said.
“One of the difficulties is they keep changing their leaders, so it’s hard to get the process completed,” Floyd noted.
The CTBT, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1996, bans all nuclear explosions globally. Although 187 nations have signed and 178 have ratified the treaty, it cannot formally take effect until 44 specific countries complete ratification.
Nine nuclear-capable states, including China, North Korea, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, Russia and the United States, have yet to do so.
The President underscored the treaty’s role in building confidence among nations and promoting regional and global security.
“We’ll do our best. We are familiar with the process,” the President told Floyd.
The Philippines has long advocated nuclear non-proliferation and continues to support diplomatic efforts to achieve the full implementation of the treaty.