UN: We Must Not Forget Disasters From Nuclear Weapons Tests

JAKARTA - United Nations officials on Thursday said the current risk of nuclear war was very high, stressing the world should not forget disasters from nuclear weapons tests.

That was said by UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq, responding to a statement by the President of the United States who wanted his country to continue testing nuclear weapons, warning about proliferation and calling for the moratorium to remain in effect. a moratorium to remain in effect.

The risk of nuclear war is "very high," Haq said in response to a question in a press statement in New York, quoted from the UN website Oct. 31.

Haq further said any nuclear activity that "could lead to miscalculation or escalation with catastrophic consequences should be avoided."

"We must not forget the catastrophic legacy of the more than 2,000 nuclear weapons tests that have been carried out over the past 80 years," Haq warned.

He added, from the Secretary-General's point of view, "nuclear trials should not be allowed under any circumstances."

As previously reported, President Trump made an announcement regarding the continued nuclear weapons tests in a post on Truth Social, ahead of meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.

"Since other countries are testing the program, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons equally. That process will begin soon," wrote President Trump, quoted by Reuters.

Then, on his way back to Washington President Trump said trials were needed to ensure the US could offset rival nuclear powers.

"With other countries conducting trials, I think it is appropriate for us to do so as well," said President Trump in Air Force One, adding that the location of the nuclear test would be determined later.

Separately, the Executive Secretary of the Organization for the Prohibitive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBTO) based in Vienna Robert Floyd expressed his concern.

"Any explosive nuclear weapons test by any country will be dangerous and disrupt the stability of global non-proliferation efforts as well as international peace and security," he said.

Floyd added that this challenging period has "an opportunity for world leaders to move forward and work together, equivalently, towards CTBT ratification and a common goal, namely a world free from nuclear weapons tests."