"Most immediately, the world is expecting a deeper reduction in the largest nuclear arsenals," Ban said. "This should include limits on both non-strategic nuclear weapons and non-deployed weapons. And by weapon reduction, I mean weapon destruction." 

Ban spoke at the nuclear disarmament consultation, convened at U.N. Headquarters by the EastWest Institute, The Global Security Institute, and the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies. The event marked the third anniversary of Ban's speech at a similar meeting in 2008, in which he unveiled a plan for nuclear arms reduction worldwide.

"This is the third time I’ve spoken at a conference organized by the EastWest Institute. At the first, in 2008, I launched a five-point proposal for achieving a world free of nuclear weapons," he said. "Thank you very much for your strong commitment and support for raising the awareness of the international community."

EWI Board Co-Chairman Francis Finlay emphasized the value of Ban's leadership on the issue. "Mr. Secretary-General, your strong voice and moral authority on this issue are still needed," Finlay said. 

The consultation continued Monday with panels and candid discussion on the practical challenges of nuclear arms reduction.

General T. Michael "Buzz" Moseley, former chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force and now Perot Distinguished Fellow at EWI, said new kinds of weapons have changed the place of nuclear weapons in the international security sphere. Precision missiles and the potency of cyber weapons have changed the battlefield, he said.

"With the existing stockpiles of nuclear weapons aging, the demonstration of unbelievable, conventional precision, the continued proliferation of warheads, and the added complexities of cyber warfare, the time is right to re-double our efforts," Moseley said.  

The NDF was convened on the 66th United Nations Day, and Ban directed our attention to the future.

"Exactly one week from today, the world will welcome the 7 billionth member of our human family. We are 7 days from 7 billion," Ban said. "What kind of future will that child have? We know that world of tomorrow is shaped by the decisions we make today. A world free of nuclear weapons is a concrete possibility. Let us realize that dream so that 7 billion people can live in peace and security."

Click here to read Ban Ki-Moon's comments in full.

Click here to read General Michael Moseley's comments in full.

Click here to read John Edwin Mroz's comments in full.

Click here to read Francis Finlay's comments in full.

Click here to read Jonathan Granoff's comments in full.

Click here to read Mani Shankar Aiyar's comments in full.

Click here to read a report from the U.N. News Centre.

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