UN chief sees disarmament as 'window of opportunity'

"Today there is a new window of opportunity in disarmament and non-proliferation," he told the meeting. "I am convinced there is much we can do to achieve our common goal of a world free of weapons of mass destruction."

Ban vowed that disarmament and non-proliferation would continue to be among his top priorities in the months ahead.

"I pledge to continue to do everything in my power to advance the goal of a world free of weapons of mass destruction."

He particularly called for a successful outcome to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference here in May.

"A successful outcome would strengthen confidence not only in the treaty but also for the collective global effort to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons," he noted.The previous NPT review conference in May 2005 ended in disarray, with no agreement from the participants.

Review conferences have been held every five years since the treaty was ratified in 1970. There are currently 189 signatory countries to the treaty.

Ban said he would also attend the Global Zero summit in Paris February 2-4 and the Munich Security Conference February 5-7