Can’t return to nuclear weapon-testing era: Dr Zerbo

October 04, 2018, 07:28 PM
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UNB News
Publish- October 04, 2018, 07:28 PM
Update- October 05, 2018, 01:16 AM

Can’t return to nuclear weapon-testing era: Dr Zerbo

Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Dr Lassina Zerbo. File photo

Dhaka, Oct 4 (UNB) – Visiting Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Dr Lassina Zerbo on Thursday laid emphasis on building world peace saying they cannot return to the era of nuclear weapon testing.

“The common ground what the international community can and should agree on is that we cannot return to the era of nuclear weapon testing,” he said while delivering a lecture on the importance of nuclear test ban.

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) arranged the event with its chairman Munshi Faiz Ahmad in the chair. BIISS Director General Maj Gen AKM Abdur Rahman, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Describing various aspects of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), Dr Zerbo stressed signing and ratification of the treaty by the remaining countries, including North Korea.

“We’ve to make the DPRK (North Korea) join this treaty through dialogue,” said the Executive Secretary.

Dr Zerbo said the world would be less safe and less stable if many people have nuclear weapons. “So, the treaty has become an important part of multilateral approach to the international security.”

Talking about the project taken by Bangladesh on nuclear power plant, he said it is a huge project for the country.

But having a nuclear power plant comes with safety and security and the safeguard framework that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) gives, said Dr Zerbo.

“By doing this, you’re showing to the international community that Bangladesh can go for the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” he added.

Dr Zerbo urged all to think and consider all nuclear threats in a holistic manner for a safe interconnected world for the generation to come.

The CTBTO Executive Secretary arrived here on Wednesday on a three-day official visit, his first visit to Bangladesh since assuming the post on August 1, 2013.

In November 2016, the Member States of the highest decision-making body of the CTBTO preparatory commission reappointed Executive Secretary Zerbo to a further four-year term of office until July 31, 2021.

He is scheduled hold a bilateral meeting with Science and Technology Secretary Md Anwar Hossain and another meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali during his stay in Dhaka.

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans nuclear explosions by everyone, everywhere: on the Earth's surface, in the atmosphere, underwater and underground.