A 41-nation coalition has called on nuclear-armed states to strictly observe advance notification protocols for long-range ballistic missile tests, warning that unannounced launches endanger regional peace and global security.
In a joint statement delivered at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva and released by the US Mission to International Organizations on Tuesday, the signatories highlighted growing concerns over missile proliferation and urged adherence to transparency mechanisms, particularly the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC).
“Conducting nuclear-capable ballistic missile tests without sufficient advance notice and detail is dangerous and disrupts the peace and security of relevant nations in proximity to these tests,” the text noted.
Highlighting recent unnotified missile testing in the Pacific, the signatories noted that failing to follow standard deconfliction practices increases the risk of miscalculation and undermines global stability.
The statement comes after China said last month that it successfully conducted the test launch of a strategic missile from a nuclear submarine, hours after it notified several Pacific nations of the planned test.
