ASIATODAY.ID, WINA – Indonesia is calling for the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) by countries in the world.
This was conveyed by the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi during a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), DR. Robert Floyd, in Vienna, Austria, June 25, 2024.
According to Retno, this meeting is very important in the midst of a world situation that is increasingly filled with uncertainty where conflict and war can occur at any time.
Retno said that the CTBT would come into effect if all countries listed in Annex II of the CTBT had ratified it. What is meant by Annex II countries are countries that took part in the CTBT negotiations from 1994 to 1996 at the Conference on Disarmament, which once had and still have nuclear weapons and/or large capacity nuclear reactors.
“Currently, ratification is still needed from 8 Annex II countries, namely China, North Korea, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan and the US, so that the CTBT can be implemented or what we usually call entry into force. “Indonesia ratified it in 2011,” said Retno, quoted from a Ministry of Foreign Affairs broadcast, Thursday, June 27 2024.
Retno’s visit to the CTBTO is a form of Indonesia’s commitment to multilateralism at a time when many parties doubt it.
“For Indonesia, we are actually asking, what would happen if there was no multilateralism. What will definitely happen is that ‘the strong will rule all’. “Therefore, it is our responsibility to continue to strengthen multilateralism, including through the CTBT,” said Retno.
During the meeting, Retno conveyed several things:
First, a discussion regarding the progress of ratification where Indonesia welcomed the ratification of PNG on March 13 this year, and Indonesia will continue to encourage ratification by countries in Annex II.
Second, discussion of cooperation that has been carried out with Indonesia, where cooperation with CTBTO is quite strong. Related to this, Indonesia currently hosts 6 CTBTO seismic stations, namely in Jayapura, Sorong, Parapat, Kappang, Baumata and Lembang which are useful for the tsunami early warning system in Indonesia. Furthermore, Indonesia is ready to carry out stronger cooperation with CTBTO.
Third, Retno expressed the hope that more Indonesian representatives could be considered to work at the CTBTO, either through internship programs, both for students and young professionals at the CTBTO.
Apart from meeting the CTBTO Executive Secretary, Retno also held a bilateral meeting with the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Schallenberg, as part of a series of working visit activities to Vienna.
After leaving Vienna, Retno will continue her working visit to Slovenia. (AT Network)
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