UNITED NATIONS (AP) — With U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry invoking North Korea’s latest nuclear explosion as a “reckless act of provocation,” the U.N. Security Council on Friday approved a resolution urging quick global implementation of a treaty that would ban tests of such weapons.

Kerry said universal adoption of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty would result in a “safer, more secure, and more peaceful planet,” as the United States and 18 other council members approved the resolution, with none opposed and Egypt abstaining .

Proponents of nuclear disarmament welcomed the vote. The Washington-based Arms Control Association called it “a very important reaffirmation of the global taboo against nuclear weapon test explosions and strong call for ratification” by key nations.

Security Council approval comes as the Comprehensive Test Ban Organization set up to administer the treaty marks its 20th anniversary.

Yet Friday’s move was mostly symbolic.

The U.S. remains one of the holdouts among the 44 countries that are designated “nuclear capable” – the United States, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, North Korea and Pakistan – that still need to ratify the treaty for it to enter into force.

The U.N.’s CTBTO already polices the world for any sign of nuclear tests with a global network of monitoring stations that pick up seismic signals and gases released by such events. But until those eight countries embrace the treaty it is supposed to administer, it cannot go on site to inspect for tests.

The White House has lobbied Congress for support since anti-treaty minded Republicans rejected ratification 17 years ago under President Bill Clinton, with Senate approval falling far short of the required two-thirds majority.