(VOVworld)- Reaffirming that proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and their means of delivery, threatens international peace and security, the United Nations Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution urging all States who haven’t done so to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. 

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry addresses the United Nations Security Council before a vote to adopt a resolution on the nuclear test ban treaty on Friday. Photo: Reuters/Lucas Jackson

With 14 votes in favour and one abstention (Egypt), the resolution welcomed progress made towards universalization of the Treaty, noting that 183 States have signed the Treaty and 166 States have deposited their instruments of ratification.  The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty bans all nuclear explosions for both civilian and military purposes. Adopted by the UN General Assembly under resolution 50 (1996), the Treaty will enter into force 180 days after the date of deposit of the instruments of ratification by all States listed in its Annex 2. Speaking to the press shortly after the Council voted on the resolution, Lassina Zerbo, the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), the Treaty's Preparatory Commission, said the organisation welcomed any initiative that serves to strengthen the norm against nuclear testing.