Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken addressed a high-level meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on September 23, 2024. The event marked the launch of the Friends of Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty group.
"Welcome, everyone. Mr. Prime Minister, thank you. Thank you for bringing us together today. Thank you for your tireless efforts on behalf of peace, on behalf of nonproliferation, on behalf of reducing nuclear dangers," Blinken began.
He highlighted the significance of last year's G7 meeting in Hiroshima as an example of healing and regeneration: "When you gathered the leaders of the G7 in your hometown of Hiroshima last year, you set a powerful example for the world."
Blinken emphasized President Biden's commitment to a future without nuclear weapons and strategic stability: "President Biden is firmly committed to that future and to upholding strategic stability, to working with allies and partners to strengthen arms control and nonproliferation."
He praised Japan's role in establishing the Friends of Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty group six months ago: "The United States was very proud to stand by Japan’s side. And we’re proud to stand with Japan and other friends here today."
Blinken reiterated America's long-standing principles regarding nuclear disarmament: "That’s why America stopped producing highly enriched uranium for use in nuclear weapons in 1964 and why we stopped producing plutonium for weapons in 1988."
"A treaty banning the production of fissile material for use in nuclear weapons is the next step on the path to nuclear disarmament," he stated.
However, Blinken noted challenges posed by certain UN member-states: "Unfortunately, there are a number of UN member-states that are pursuing a path that leads in the other direction – violating or abandoning longstanding arms control obligations and commitments."
He called for collective action: "Only by coming together, by working together, will we be able to overcome these threats."
"In that too, Mr. Prime Minister and to all our colleagues here, you can count on the United States as your partner," he concluded.
