The head of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), Dr. Robert Floyd, has raised alarm over the increasing use of aggressive rhetoric by global leaders regarding nuclear weapons, cautioning that such threats are contributing to growing global insecurity.
Speaking in Lagos at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs on Thursday, Dr. Floyd described the current global atmosphere as unsettling. He noted that nations once committed to the idea of nuclear deterrence are now making open remarks suggesting a return to nuclear testing or use, a shift he described as deeply troubling.
“In recent years, there has been a worrying change in the language used by some world leaders,” Floyd said during a lecture titled The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty as a Model of Multilateral Success: What it Means for Africa, Today and Tomorrow. “Where nuclear arms were once seen strictly as a deterrent, we now hear talk about their possible use. That’s dangerous and undermines global peace.”
While acknowledging that North Korea remains the only state to have developed nuclear weapons in the last two decades, Floyd warned that the world now faces two significant threats: the potential outbreak of nuclear war and the worsening climate crisis.
He commended the effectiveness of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which outlaws all nuclear explosions, whether for warfare or peaceful purposes. The treaty, signed in 1996, has contributed significantly to reducing nuclear tests worldwide, he noted.
“To date, 187 countries have signed the CTBT and 178 have ratified it. That’s progress,” he said. “But the fact remains that some key nations, including North Korea, India, and Pakistan, have yet to sign, while others like the U.S., Russia, China, and Israel have not ratified the agreement.”
Floyd explained that these countries may not be entirely against the treaty, but many have yet to make its ratification a political priority. Despite this, he remains optimistic that the CTBT will eventually achieve universal support.
He praised Africa’s strong backing for the treaty, revealing that 52 of the 54 countries on the continent have endorsed the CTBT.
“Africa has been a global leader in the push for a world without nuclear weapons,” Floyd said. “It is in the continent’s interest to prevent nuclear proliferation. If more nations acquire nuclear arms, the consequences will likely be even more devastating for developing regions.”
He urged African nations to explore peaceful applications of nuclear technology, particularly in the energy sector.
“The treaty supports not just peace but also opportunities in nuclear science and technology,” he added. “A world free of nuclear tests benefits everyone.”
Dr. Floyd also highlighted the CTBTO’s advanced International Monitoring System, which includes over 300 monitoring stations and laboratories in 89 countries. This network can detect not only nuclear detonations but also natural events such as earthquakes, meteor impacts, and volcanic eruptions.
“Our monitoring capabilities are critical to enforcing the treaty and verifying compliance,” he said. “Even in a world without nuclear weapons, we need systems like this to hold nations accountable.”
Addressing the youth, Floyd encouraged them to stay engaged with global issues. “You are the custodians of the future. Let your generation be remembered for safeguarding humanity,” he said.
The event was chaired by Professor Femi Otubanjo, with introductory remarks delivered by the Director-General of the NIIA, Professor Eghosa Osaghae.
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