An historic opportunity now exists to work toward fulfilment of the promise of a nuclear-free world made in the 1968 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) an international peace organisation has said.

At a time when the international community is re-kindling the vision of a world free of nuclear weapons, the North Korean nuclear test is a source of real concern, says World Council of Churches general secretary Rev Dr Samuel Kobia.

Three British Churches have expressed hope about concrete disarmament measures following the the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Preparatory Committee meeting in New York. But they want the UK to scrap its Trident weapons.

Pax Christi International has issued an open letter to G8 leaders meeting in Hokkaido, Japan, urging them to make renewed efforts toward the disarmament of nuclear weapons.

Pope Benedict XVI has called for increased efforts from international leaders toward nuclear disarmament.

His message, ahead of the 41st World Day of Peace (1 Jan 2008), was released yesterday.