Global disarmament initiative being prepared: UN chief

ANKARA

A new initiative for global disarmament is being prepared, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday.

"Disarmament and arms control are top priorities for me. They are central to the system for international security agreed in the United Nations Charter," Guterres said at a disarmament conference in Geneva, according to a statement.

He said nuclear weapons pose a "catastrophic" risk to human life, the environment and there is justified anxiety around the world about the threat of nuclear war.

"In East Asia, millions of people face this threat up close on a daily basis. I commend their patience and resilience, which I witnessed first-hand during my visit to the Republic of Korea earlier this month,” he said. "In response to these concerns, I am preparing a new initiative aimed at giving greater impetus and direction to the global disarmament agenda.”

The new initiative is aimed at restoring the role of disarmament to maintain international peace and security.