JAKARTA - A coalition of 41 countries has called on nuclear-armed states to strictly adhere to early notification protocols related to long-range ballistic missile tests, warning that launches without notification endanger regional peace and global security.
In a joint statement delivered at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland and released by the US Mission to International Organizations on Tuesday, the signatory parties highlighted growing concerns about missile proliferation and urged compliance with transparency mechanisms, in particular the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC).
"Conducting a nuclear-capable ballistic missile test without prior notification and adequate details is a dangerous act and disturbs the peace and security of countries located near the test site," the statement read, quoted from Anadolu (12/8).
The joint statement was signed by the United States, Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
By highlighting the recent unannounced missile tests in the Pacific region, the signatories noted that failure to follow standard conflict prevention practices (deconfliction) increases the risk of miscalculation and undermines global stability.
The statement comes after China last month said it had successfully test-launched a strategic missile from a nuclear submarine, hours after it had informed a number of Pacific nations of the test plans.
The event marked China's second strategic missile test since it launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean in September 2024, its first such test since 1980.
The signatories specifically urge nuclear-armed states that launch intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), ballistic missiles launched from submarines (SLBM), and space launch vehicles (SLV) to provide notification at least 24 hours in advance.
Such notifications should include the missile class, launch time, launch area, and planned trajectory, as well as clear warnings for sailors and aviators.
"Transparent and regular notification arrangements do not restrict the development of any country's military or operational needs. On the contrary, they reduce the risk of miscalculation, build trust, and reflect a shared commitment to security," the group added, while pledging to hold countries accountable if their actions do not meet international responsibilities.
Meanwhile, China's ambassador for Disarmament Affairs, Li Chijiang, rejected the statement and stressed that "China's legitimate and reasonable defense modernization should not be questioned, and Beijing's good faith in providing early notification of missile launches should not be used for the sake of geopolitical calculations," according to a government media report.
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