1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha attended as head delegate of the government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) the 11th Conference on Facilitating Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) held at the United Nations (UN) headquarters on September 25 during the 74th session of the UN General Assembly.

° In her keynote speech, Minister Kang underscored the significance of the CTBT as a vital instrument in the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime; urged the states that have not yet signed or ratified the Treaty to do so without further delay, in particular those whose ratification is a prerequisite for the Treaty’s entry into force; introduced the ROK’s contribution to the CTBT’s early entry into force and to strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime, including holding a CTBTO-Youth Dialogue; and asked for the international community’s continued support for the ROK government’s efforts toward achieving complete denuclearization and establishing permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. 

2. The Conference was hosted by the UN Secretary-General and brought together delegates of states that have signed or ratified the CTBT as well as non-signatories, international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). High-level delegations of about 50 countries, including the ROK, attended the event. 
 

° States parties adopted a Final Declaration, calling for the ratification of those states whose ratification is a prerequisite for the Treaty’s entry into force; welcoming  diplomatic efforts, including through holding summits, on the North Korean nuclear issue; and reaffirming determination to take concrete and actionable steps towards early entry into force of the Treaty.