UN Transcripts — https://transcripts.un.org/en/ga/c1/80/14
First Committee, 14th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 80th session — First Committee — 23 October 2025
Language: en
Automatically generated transcript — may contain errors. Not an official United Nations record.

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1st Committee · Chair [0:05]:

The 14th meeting of the Disarmament and International Security committee of the 80th session of the General assembly is called to order.

The Committee will continue with its consideration of the cluster on other weapons of mass destruction. We have 19 speakers on the remaining of the list of speakers. Before I open the floor, I would like to remind all delegations to respect the time limit for the statements during the thematic discussion. And now I. For the first speaker, I would like to call on the His Excellency, Permanent Representative of Lithuania, on behalf of a group of states.


Lithuania [0:51]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have the honor to speak on behalf of Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and my own country, Lithuania. Our delegations reaffirm their unwavering commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and the absolute prohibition of the use of chemical weapons under any circumstances. The reappearances of toxic chemical agents in conflict zones Polish poses a great threat to international peace and security and undermines the credibility of the global disarmament and non proliferation architecture. In this regard, we note with utmost concern the growing body of reports on the Russian Federation use of riot control agents and other toxic chemicals on the front lines in Ukraine.

Ukraine has documented almost 11,000 cases of the use of munitions containing hazardous chemicals, including chlorop ukrine, by Russian forces since February 2023, which would be a clear violation of the CWC. In addition, Ukraine has reported that 2,862 of its service personnel required medical care for symptoms of chemical exposure, including acute poisoning by identified toxic substance. Our concern is further reinforced by the findings of the three consecutive OPCW technical assistance visits. Reports date is 18th of November 2024, 14th February 2025 and 20th June 2025. Conducted at the request of Ukraine, these reports confirm that environmental and munition samples collected from locations along the confrontation lines in the DNIPropetrovsk region contain CS, a riot control agent.

OPCW designated laboratories independently verified the presence of the CS or its degradation products in grenade fragments, so vegetation and even components of first personal view drone frames. These reports raise further concerns about the clear and systematic pattern of use going well beyond isolated incidents. They provide further evidence that the CS gas has been used in combat, which would be in direct violation of Article 1 of CS, which explicitly prohibits the use of riot control agents as the method of the warfare. We commend the impartial and vigorous work of this OPCW Technical Secretariat under the leadership of its Director General, Ambassador Fernando Arias, for their professionalism in conducting these analysis and safeguarding the integrity of the Convention. We express our full support for the Director General and the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW in fulfilling the mandates set by the Convention and policymaking bodies of the Organization.

In this regard, we urge the Russian Federation to fully comply with its obligations under cwc. We stand ready to support Ukraine and the OPCW Technical Secretariat as we see to implement our collective efforts in pursuit of effective attribution and full accountability. Madam Chair, we wish to underscore our common belief that the development, production, acquisition, possession, stockpiling, retention, transfer and use of the threat or use of the threat of use of the chemical weapons by an actor poses a threat to the object and purposes of the CWC and to the achievement of the world free of chemical weapons. Madam Chair, I'm not able to complete the full text, but it will be distributed accordingly. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [4:52]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Lithuania for his statement. Give now the floor to the distinguished representative of Thailand.


Thailand [5:02]:

Chair Thailand allies itself with the statements of NAM and asean. Disarmament and non proliferation of other weapons of mass destruction, notably chemical and biological weapons, remain integral to the global disarmament architecture. The potential use of these weapons by any actor continues to pose a serious threat to to international peace and security. In this regard, Thailand highlights three points. First, we must strengthen full and effective implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological Weapons Convention.

Thailand reaffirms its support for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in fulfilling its verification mandate and contributing to effective implementation of cwc. As a friend of the Chair for national implementation measures, Thailand fully supports ongoing efforts under the Working Group on the Strengthening of the bwc. We view this progress as a valuable pathway to bridge differences among the State parties, including on the consideration of verification mechanism to enhance the Convention's effectiveness. Second, we must elevate our efforts at all levels to counter the BUMDA proliferation. Thailand recognizes the indispensable role of The UNSC Resolution 1540 in preventing WMDs and their means of delivery from falling into the wrong hands.

We adopt a whole of government approach to support interdiction and national implementation efforts at the regional level. A Georgia Regional Outreach Workshop was organized by UNODA in Bangkok on strengthening regional support for the global norms against biological weapons in the context of BWC, UNSCR 1540 and UNSGM. Third, peaceful uses of biological and chemical science technologies are a key enabler of sustainable development. Thailand remains committed to promoting international cooperation, capacity building efforts and responsible technology transfer. We support ongoing discussions to establish a mechanism to advance international cooperation and assistance under Article 10 of the BWC.

We can harness scientific innovation for peaceful purposes and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. In closing, Thailand calls for strengthened collaboration among all states and relevant stakeholders to address evolving challenges and move closer to a world free of weapons of mass destruction. Thank you.


Chair [7:43]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Thailand for his statement. I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of Nepal.


Nepal [7:53]:

Thank you Mr. Chair. Nepal aligns itself with the statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Non Aligned Movement. Weapons of mass destruction pose a perennial threat to global peace, stability and sustainable development pathways. From the moment they were created, the world has become most unsafe of a place for humanity.

The consequences remain the gravest if these nuclear, chemical and biological weapons were to fall into the hands of terrorists and other non state actors. We are equally concerned about the potential misuse and integration of AI and dual use technology in the WMDs. Mr. Chair, the general and complete disarmament of all kinds of WMDs in a time bound manner is indispensable to safeguarding universal peace, human dignity and environmental sustainability. As a party to npt, cwc, BWC and the HOST for the Regional center for Peace and Disarmament for the Asia Pacific, Nepal fully supports the cause of total disarmament.

We unequivocally condemn the use of WMDs and hold the view that the perpetrators of such heinous crime should be held accountable. Nepal does not possess any types of WMDs or their delivery system. Neither do we manufacture, importance and export any WMDs, nor do we intend to do so. We are firm in our commitment to implementing disarmament related international treaties, conventions and programs of actions to which Nepal is a party. Mr.

Chair, chemical weapons Convention remains a landmark international instrument for banning an entire category of WMDs. Nepal rejects the use of chemical weapons by whomsoever and under any pretext or circumstances. We welcome the complete destruction of all declared stockpiles of chemical weapons as confirmed by opcw. Nepal uses chemical materials only for peaceful purposes while ensuring proper regulation over the cross border movement of dual use chemicals. We strongly support the transfer of chemical technology, material and equipment to developing countries for peaceful purposes.

We commend the OPCW for its pivotal role in eliminating chemical weapons and Preventing their reemergence while promoting peaceful use of chemistry. The Biological Weapons Convention is yet another important instrument governing WMDs. As one of the early signatories, Nepal stresses the universalization and effective implementation of BWC while preventing weaponization of biology. Yet the lack of verification mechanism persists as a challenge. In closing, Mr.

Chair, Nepal underscores preventing the emergence of new types of WMDs as well as strong verification measures to prevent misuse of dual use products. This is possible only through shared understanding and enhanced international cooperation. As LDC is lack adequate capacity, including financial and technical resources to enforce compliance with the various disarmament instruments. We call up for skilled international assistance in line with treaty provisions addressing the root causes of conflicts and strengthening confidence. Building measures to disown WMDs is vital.

Eliminating all WMDs, including prevention of their new types, requires strong political will and collaborative approach. Together we can achieve a world free of WMDs and advance human development through peaceful use of science and technology. I thank you Chair.


Chair [10:52]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Nepal for his statement. I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of Iran.


Iran (Islamic Republic of) [11:01]:

Mr. Chair, my delegation aligns itself with a statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of nam. Iran strongly condemns the Israeli regime's attacks on the chemical, petrochemical, biological and public health facilities in June 2024, including industrial complexes, refineries and peaceful biological sites producing vaccines and medicines. These reckless strikes, endangering even an OPCW Schedule 1 laboratory, pose grave risk to civilians and constitute clear violation of international law. The cwc, the BWC and States Parties right to peaceful development.

We urge the international community to condemn these attacks, hold the perpetrators accountable and reject the silence that would undermine the disarmament and non proliferation regime. We are equally alarmed by the Israeli regime's repeated use of lethal substances, including white phosphorus munitions and depleted uranium against Palestinians and Lebanese civilians, which even injured uniform peacekeepers. These grave crimes demand urgent and collective action. As the largest victim of chemical weapons, Iran categorically rejects their use by anyone, anywhere. We stress the importance of fully implementing Article 10 and 11 of the CWC and Article 10 of the BWC on international cooperation and technology transfer.

Discriminatory restrictions and unilateral coercive measures violate international law and erode confidence in both conventions. Universality of the CWC and BWC remains essential, particularly in the Middle east where the Israeli regime's WMD arsenal threatens peace and security. The Israeli regime must accede to both conventions without three conditions. Iran reaffirms its commitment to the CWC and urged The OPCW to maintain depression, professionalism, impartiality and consensus based decision making. Victim assistance must be prioritized and sanctions impeding medicine and equipment for Iranian victims constitute flagrant humanitarian law violations.

States that supplied chemical weapons to Saddam's regime, including Germany and the United States, must be held accountable. The BWC must be strengthened to address existing caps and ensure its effectiveness, including through a compliance and verification protocol which US has blocked for decades. The Convention should also be amended to prohibit the use of biological weapons explicitly and the US should withdraw its Geneva Protocol reservation. The full version of the statement has been sent to the Secretariat. I thank you, Mr.


1st Committee · Chair [13:45]:

Chair. I thank the distinguished representative of Iran. For example, I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kuba.


Cuba [13:58]:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We align ourselves with the statement made by Indonesia on behalf of the Non Aligned Movement. The elimination and total prohibition of weapons of mass destruction in a transparent, verifiable and irreversible fashion is the only possible guarantee against their development, transfer and use. Cuba stringently and in full complies with all provisions of the Convention on Biological and Toxin Weapons and the Convention on Chemical Weapons. We condemn the imposition of unilateral coercive measures that are patently illegal.

They limit or impede, in a discriminatory fashion the exercise of the right to peacefully use nuclear energy. They also hinder international cooperation and scientific technical progress on the part of state states in the biological and chemical fields. We reject the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba. This blockade undermines the provisions of articles 10 of the Biological Weapons Convention and article 11 of the convention on Chemical Weapons. These articles enshrine the commitment of signatories to facilitate the broadest possible exchange of scientific and technological equipment, material and information for for the peaceful use of chemical substances, biological agents and toxins, including for the prevention of illnesses.

We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the promotion of general and complete disarmament, particular nuclear disarmament. Cuba does not possess, nor do we have the intention of ever possessing any type of weapons of mass destruction. We reject the use of these weapons by any actor under any circumstances. We fully support the existing multilateral regime in place to prohibit these weapons. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [15:48]:

Thank the distinguished representative of Cuba for her statement. I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of Israel.


Israel [15:57]:

Thank you, Chair. The Middle east is still struggling due to a chronic lack of compliance with non proliferation and arms control norms, obligations and mechanisms. Another troubling phenomenon the region suffers from is is the growing impact of NSAs and specifically terrorist groups and their attempt to arm themselves with various weapons, including non conventional ones. The use of chemical weapons by States in the Middle east against their own population and against neighboring countries occurred five times since the Second World War. In light of this, the international community must strongly support the important work of the OPCW.

Israel is a party to the Geneva Protocol of 1925 and a signatory state to the CWC. It values the vital work of the OPCW and has a long standing record of supporting it. From 2014 onwards, we have witnessed hundreds of incidents where chemical weapons were used by the Assad regime against the Syrian population. Syria was and still is a state party of the cwc. Israel supports the OPCW and the international community's efforts to dismantle sites, stockpiles and equipment associated with the Assad regime's chemical weapons program.

We recall the OPCW's recent reports regarding samples which revealed indications of chemical warfare nerve agents in Syria and call on the authorities in Syria to allow a full definition of the scope of these weapons related activities. These attacks are vital to prevent such lethal materials from falling into the hands of unauthorized actors such as terrorist groups that are unfortunately still very active in Syria, as events in Syria in the past months clearly demonstrate. Specifically with regard to atrocities carried out against minorities in the country, unconventional weapons must not fall into the hands of irresponsible actors. Chair over the past few decades, Iran has been secretly developing a chemical weapons program based on weaponized pharmaceutical agents. Beyond its R and D program, it appears that Iran produced fentanyl based munitions and other types of weaponized PBAs.

These substances have been incorporated in grenades and mortars which can be used for multiple purposes. We have grounds to believe that the munitions secretly developed by Iran had been transferred to proxies in the region and these munitions may have already been used in Iraq and Syria. Furthermore, we have State started to see indications of development of chemical agents for military uses by Hezbollah in Lebanon and by the Houthis in Yemen, two of Iran's most prominent terror proxies. Everyone should be aware of the rising chemical threat coming from Iran as the CWC becomes yet another convention that has an empty promise for Iran. Chair in addition, over the last decade Iran has been investing huge efforts in the biological domain.

As part of these efforts, it has been conducting research on weaponizing synthetic biology and human genetics for offensive uses. This is deeply troubling.


Chair [18:40]:

I thank you thank the distinguished representative of Israel for his statement. I give now the floor to His Excellency, Permanent Representative of Republic of Korea to the conference on disarmament.


Republic of Korea [18:57]:

Mr. Chair in commemoration of 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention this year, the Republic of Korea underscores the Convention's historic significance as the first multilateral treaty to ban an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. The rapid advancement of emerging technologies has heightened the risk of their potential misuse, underscoring the urgency of reinforcing the Convention's capacity to address evolving biological threats. In this context, the Republic of Korea welcomes the progress achieved by the Working Group on the Strengthening of the BWC under the able Chairmanship of Brazil and notes with appreciation the Chair's rolling text. The Republic of Korea emphasized the need for for the early establishment of both the ICA and the S and T Mechanism as mandated by the 9th review conference marking the 50th anniversary.

Now is the time to redouble our collective efforts to make the BWC regime more robust, effective and up to date. In this regard, we note President Trump's initiative to utilize AI to support BWC reinforcement, which illustrate the opportunities that AI presents in the military domain. Our sustained commitment has brought the BWC close to universality with 189 state parties. We urge all remaining states to sign or ratify the Convention without delay. Chair the Chemical Weapons Convention is regarded as one of the most successful disarmament treaties in history.

The Republic of Korea welcomes the progress achieved this year on the Syrian dacier and values the cooperation shown by the Syrian government with the opcw. We sincerely hope that the opcw, the Syrian government and all state parties will take full advantage of this opportunity to clarify the full extent and scope of the Assad regime's chemical weapons program, ensure the verified elimination of all remaining weapons and enable the attribution of responsibility. Stressing the importance of ensuring a safe and secure environment for the OPCW Technical Secretariat in Syria, the Republic of Korea reaffirms its strong support for OPCW's activities in Syria and we will continue to contribute to its ongoing work. At the same time, one of the most concerning developments is a growing number of reports of the use of chemical weapons in the Russian invasion in Ukraine. The OPCW has now issued three Technical Assistance Visit reports confirming the use of riot control agents as a method of warfare on the battlefields in Ukraine, which is strictly prohibited under the cwc.

We are deeply concerned by these findings and believe that attribution must follow for the incidents that OPCW has already confirmed.


Chair [21:59]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Republic of Korea for his statement. The Distinguished Representative of Norway.


Norway [22:08]:

Thank you. Chair this year marks the centennial of the Geneva Protocol, one of the clearest expressions of our shared commitment to protect humanity from the absolute worst methods of warfare. The milestone is more than a historical marker.

It is a reminder of what is at stake. If Member States neglect their responsibilities, we risk the normalization and proliferation of weapons that we all agreed were too inhumane, even in war. Chair Vigilance is not optional. It is essential and ours is being tested. Three TAV reports from the OPCW Technical Secretariat confirm the presence of riot control agents on the front lines of Ukraine.

Russia uses RCA's and chloropicrine to force Ukrainian soldiers out in the open with the threat of choking to then kill them.

The use of Chloropicrin as a chemical weapon and the use of RCA's as a method of warfare is a blatant violation of the Convention. Conversely, we welcome the cooperation between the Syrian Transitional Authorities with the opcw. We are encouraged by the determination to identify those responsible. Accountability is essential to uphold the Convention. Furthermore, we recognize the vital role of the UN sdm.

Its independence and investigative capabilities must be protected. Chair the peaceful application of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials and technologies plays a vital role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Norway firmly recognizes that the responsible and peaceful use is a fundamental right of all states. However, the landscape of biological threats is evolving rapidly. Advances in biotechnology offer immense promise, but also carry risks.

Fifty years since the adoption of the btwc, the tools to engineer pathogens are becoming more powerful, accessible and harder to regulate. Strengthening the Convention is critical to ensuring innovation does not outpace safeguards. The dedicated Working Group has presented us with good proposals and almost all parties agree. We have a window of opportunity. Let's seize it.

Chair these anniversaries are not just moments of reflection. They are calls to action to recommit to the principles that have guided us for a century and to strengthen the institutions that protect us. Finally, the anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325 is another reminder that we must bridge the gap between the women peace and security agenda and disarmament and non proliferation efforts. Women have the right to participate fully, equally and meaningfully in all matters of peace and security, to influence decisions that shape their future. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [24:54]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Norway for her statement. Give now the floor to His Excellency, Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic.


Syrian Arab Republic [25:07]:

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson. Addressing chemical weapons is especially important for the Syrian government. For the new Syrian government, particularly, that today's victims are the ones who are risking their lives to eliminate any potential chemical residues.

The Syrian leadership has time and again reaffirmed the commitment of New Syria to the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention. We were successful during the past period by working on the ground to moving from mistrust regarding this file under Assad to partnership with the international community and as part of our full cooperation and our active engagement with the opcw, we were able to table a draft decision before the Executive Council last month to accelerate the elimination on the ground of any potential residues of chemical weapons. And this decision was adopted by consensus. Mr. Chairperson, given that history is written through international resolutions as well, and given the importance that these resolutions should reflect the suffering of these people and their thirst for justice, it is important for the relevant resolution tabled before the Committee to reflect the suffering of the Syrian people. We would like to thank the penholder Poland for their efforts in preparing this draft resolution and we are confident that this resolution will be fair towards the great progress made on the ground in Syria.

The the Chairperson working to eliminate potential residues of Al Assad's chemical program. This is no easy feat given multiple factors including the secret nature of the chemical weapons program of the previous regime, the gaps in documentation, the absence of employees who were supervising this program and this is compounded by a weak economy and the aerial bombardment from Israel. In conclusion, Mr. Chairperson, we are relieved because the time of discord and mistrust regarding this file is long gone and it is replaced by a transparent cooperation with the organization and international community. We would like to thank the State of Qatar for their important role in representing Syria and in strengthening this partnership. This is a heavy legacy, Mr. President.

Mr. Chairperson. However, we continue to remain committed to non proliferation as a main pillar of regional and international peace and security. I thank you, Mr. Chairperson.


Chair [28:04]:

I thank the Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic for his statement. Give out the floor to the distinguished representative of Timor lester.


Timor-Leste [28:14]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Timor Leste alliance solve with a statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of NAM. We reaffirm our deep and unwavering commitment to multitolrorism, to international law and to the total elimination of weapons of mass destruction. As a small and peaceful nation that was born from conflict, Timor Lashley understands that last insecurity cannot come from fear or force.

It comes from trust, cooperation and respect among nations. We are proud State party to the npt, to the Chemical Weapons Convention and to the Biological Weapons Convention. We have ratified a comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and signed a treaty on the provisions of nuclear weapons. Through these steps, Timor Lester affirmed his simple truth that survival and dignity of humankind depends on the complete rejections of weapon mass destruction. Mr.

Chair, we commend all organizations for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for its dedicated work and welcome the verified destruction of all declared chemical weapons stockpiles. This is a powerful reminder that multilateralism works when we stand united. This should remind us that disarmament is not only a legal obligations but also a moral and human one. We urge all state parties to rebuild trust, avoid politicizations and protect consensus based decision making which has always been a strength of the opcw. We also reformed the right of all states to access to symmetry and technology technological for peaceful purposes.

Science should be a bridge, not a barrier. Moreover, we must never forget the victims of chemical weapons. Their suffering demands both justice and care. Mr. Chair, on the Biological Weapons Convention, Timor Leste welcomes the establishment of the new working group and support efforts towards a development of a credible verifications mechanism in the area of rapid scientific and technology advancement.

We must ensure that innovation serves humanity, not its own distractions. We therefore support strong cooperations, transparency and biosecurity governments under Article 10. Finally, Mr. President, we recall that all efforts to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction in Israel, firm in Security Council resolutions 1540 and the Secretary General's new agenda for peace must be grounded in the UN Charter and respect for international law. Thank you.


Chair [31:03]:

Thank you distinguished representative of Timor Lese for his statement.

I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of the Philippines.


Philippines [31:11]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Philippines aligns itself with the statement we delivered on behalf of ASEAN and and the statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Non Aligned Movement. The face of evolving threats upholding multilateral norms against chemical, biological and radiological weapons remain indispensable.

The Philippines affirms its strong commitment to strengthening this frameworks at the national level. The Philippines has further demonstrated dedication to global disarmament through the recent enactment of the Philippines Chemical Weapons Prohibition Act. Concrete testament to the strengthening of our commitment to implement our obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. Through this law, we now criminalize not only the use of chemical weapons but also their financing and cross border transfer precursors and scheduled toxic chemicals. We continue to advocate for stronger legal frameworks for chemical weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

On the broader CBRN front, the Philippines has hosted key regional capacity building initiatives. Among them the 2024 CBRN summit held in Manila in December 2024 which brought together government agencies, private industry and international experts to foster innovative strategies to mitigate risks against emerging CBRN threats and challenges. We also contributed to regional cooperation under the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons by providing a voluntary contribution to its Scientific Advisory Board trust fund in April 2025, thereby supporting science and technology aspects of the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Further, our region's Siberian center of Excellence in Manila continues to receive recognition for its active role in mitigating Siberian risks in Southeast Asia and its cooperation with the European Union Centers of Excellence Initiative. Regionally and globally, the Philippines sees an urgent need to translate norms into capacity.

In this light, we call upon all States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention to give renewed attention during the intercessional period and beyond to strengthening national frameworks for oversight of dangerous biological materials, to enhancing transparency measures and to accelerating cooperative assistance. Our delegation also welcomes the work of the Working Group on strengthening the vwc, specifically the proposals to establish mechanisms, international cooperation and assistance, as well as a mechanism to review and assess scientific and technological developments. The Philippines remains steadfast in upholding and strengthening global governance structure that prohibit the use of weapons of mass destruction and prevent their proliferation. This commitment underfins the necessity of robust strategic trade management, effective export controls, border security, international cooperation. The Philippines therefore reaffirms its willingness to work through the un, through regional mechanisms such as ASEAN and through bilateral partnerships to reinforce non proliferation norms and to assist states with lesser capacity.

The Philippines emphasizes the challenge before us is not just legal or technical, it is political and moral. Thank you, Mr. Chair.


Chair [34:10]:

I thank the distinguished representative of the Philippines for his statement. Give now the floor to the distinguished representative of Austria.


Austria [34:21]:

Austria aligns itself with the statement by the European Union. The strong prohibition norms on biological and chemical weapons are reinforced by the nearly universal membership of the respective treaties. We warmly welcome Comoros and Kiribati among the states parties of the bwc. We call on all remaining states to join these landmark instruments. While the BWC has proven its effective confidence building measures, this treaty still lacks a robust verification mechanism.

We appreciate the progress made by the Working Group on strengthening the BWC and commend its Chair for his efforts. We support the establishing of an OEWG as a matter of priority to make progress on verification and compliance. The mechanisms on science and technology as well as cooperation and assistance should be adopted as soon as possible. Mr. Chair.

The chemical Weapons Convention embodies a strong, strong set of norms. However, the repeated use of chemical weapons constitutes a grave concern and particularly the large scale use of riot control agents as a means of warfare by Russia in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, which is a clear violation of The Chemical Weapons Convention. We see it as imperative that States are held accountable for non compliance with their treaty obligations. Austria commenced to professionalism of the OPCW Technical Secretariat and fully supports its work in fulfilling its mandate. We welcome the cooperation of the Syrian transition authorities with the OPCW and call on them to complete as soon as possible the full elimination of Syria's chemical weapons program and hold those responsible for the chemical attacks accountable.

Austria is proud since this year to contribute to the the UN Secretary General's Mechanism for Investigation of alleged use of Chemical and Biological Weapons, also with a designated laboratory. We further stressed the key role of the UN Security Council Resolution 1540 and we continue to contribute actively to its full implementation. Export control regimes enable the sharing of technology and contribute significantly to non proliferation. We must ensure that they are able to function effectively. The Hague Code of contact with its 145 subscribing states is becoming even more important with the exponential increase in space launches.

We call on all remaining states to join the Code. Thank you.


Chair [36:51]:

Thank the distinguished representative of Austria for her statement. I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of Algeria.


Algeria [37:01]:

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson. My delegation would like to align itself with the statement delivered on behalf of NAAM and the Arab Group and we would like to make the following remarks in our national capacity. Once again we affirm the importance of the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention as two pillars for our collective security and cooperation. Not just through their use to combat, not just through their role to combat the use of such weapons, but also as a basis for international cooperation for social and economic development. We also reaffirm our principled position that the use of these weapons by anyone and under any circumstance is a violation of international law and human dignity and we strongly condemn such a use.

When it comes to chemical weapons, we would like to reaffirm the following. We commend strengthening strengthened cooperation between Syria and the opcw. We stress that achieving a sustainable progress requires sufficient international funding and technical support to Syria. The challenges confronting the OPCW through the increased polarization and reliance on voting instead of taking decisions by consensus. This requires responsibility to revive cooperation that has characterized its work historically.

We need to pay special attention to achieving the universality of the Convention and to strengthen international cooperation. It is necessary to combat new generation threats, including the use of non state actors of chemical weapons and their misuse of emerging technologies. When it comes to biological weapons, the BWC remains our main framework. Its efficiency relies on the transparent, balanced and comprehensive implementation of this Convention. The ninth Review Conference of the Convention has been a milestone.

It has established the open ended working group to draft effective recommendations. Therefore, we need to strengthen progress made during the intercessional period. The international cooperation mechanism is especially important for developing countries. It is the right of developing countries to access biological technology and equipment for economic and social development and public health. Mr. Chairperson, the 1540 Security Council resolution complements the non proliferation of of weapons of non.

Of weapons of mass destruction to non state actors. We reaffirm the importance of striking a balance between the peaceful use of technology and protecting from its misuse. In conclusion, the universality of all the


Chair [40:00]:

microphone was cut off. I thank the distinguished representative of Algier for his statement. I give out the FR to the distinguished representative of of India.


India [40:10]:

Thank you, Chair and good morning colleagues. India supports full, effective and non discriminatory implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The use of chemical weapons simply cannot be justified. We reiterate the importance of impartial and objective investigation process into any alleged use to establish facts and reach evidence based conclusions. We underline the importance of working on proposals which garnered broad consensus in the last circumstances CWC Review Conference, including on adapting the verification and inspection regime to make it fit for the future as well as by taking into account the rapid scientific and technological developments.

Chair India reiterates the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention. To mark the 50th anniversary of BWC, India will organize an international conference for countries from global south titled 50 Years of BWC Strengthening Biosecurity for the Global south on December 1 and 2 in New Delhi. India has engaged constructively in the ongoing deliberations of the Working Group to strengthen the Convention in all its aspects. We have stressed the importance of further deliberations on enhancing compliance within the BWC in a comprehensive manner. The Convention must be institutionally strengthened, including through the establishment of mechanisms for ICA as well as response and preparedness and to review S and T developments relevant to the Convention in a systematic and structured manner.

The financial health of the Convention must be placed on a sustainable footing and by ensuring both stability and predictability of resources. Chair Terrorism is a major challenge to international security. It can potentially endanger the foundation of our societies. India is deeply concerned about the risks that arise from WMDs falling into the hands of terrorists and non state actors. We encourage UN Member States to remain vigilant in transfer of dual use and sensitive technologies, particularly to those with a record of proliferation or links to terrorism to prevent their potential diversion.

India has a robust legal and regulatory system on export controls comprising of effective interministerial mechanisms at national level on licensing, enforcement and outreach. India accords great importance to the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540 contributing to international non proliferation as a participant of relevant multilateral export control regimes and through provision of capacity building to the UN member states on relevant aspects. Chair Since 2002 India has been tabling a resolution under this cluster titled Measures to Prevent terrorists from acquiring WMDs which highlights the dangers of the proliferation of WMDs and the potential of their exploitation by terrorist and non state actors. The resolution was adopted last year without a vote and received the support of around 90 sponsors and co sponsors. We request the continued support of all Member States for the resolution this year.

The full text of the statement will be uploaded online. I thank you.


Chair [42:51]:

I thank the distinguished representative of India for his statement. I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of Djibouti.


Djibouti [43:01]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My delegation aligns itself with the statements made by the Arab Group and by the Non Aligned Movement. In our national capacity, we wish to add the following. For decades, the existence of WMDs constitutes an unprecedented threat to the survival of humankind.

Radiation, the consequences of nuclear weapons and the consequences of chemical and biological weapons are also dangerous for the environment and could cause environmental damage and major global humanitarian crises. We reaffirm our commitment to international peace and security. For this reason we condemn the use or threat of use of WMDs wherever that may occur, whoever may use them, and whatever the circumstances, such acts breach international law. Djibouti supports the total elimination of nuclear weapons and other WMDs. We encourage the universalization of the TPNW and we reiterate our appeal for consensus at the upcoming NPT Review Conference.

Given the risk that radiation poses to the health of women and girls, we support the bolstering of their capacities in disarmament and we call for their full participation in decision making processes concerning questions related to disarmament. On this occasion, we commend the essential role played by UNIDEA in terms of its capacity building initiatives and we commend them for their commitment to facilitating international dialogue to bolster global peace and security through its research Chair, my delegation takes this opportunity to reaffirm its tireless support for the NPT that is a veritable cornerstone of non proliferation of duramds and their means of delivery. We reiterate our appeal to all states to support the implementation of the treaty seeking to establish a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. That measure is crucial to strengthen geopolitical balance and build regional trust and that will build regional and international security. Aware of the risks posed by non state actors acquiring biological and chemical substances, we reaffirm our total supply for the universal implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540.

Since our accession to the CWC in 2003, with the OPCW's cooperation, we have built our national capacity to combat the illegal use of these substances. To support the implementation of these commitments, we have established a national Nuclear, Radiological, Chemical, Biological Safety and Security Authority. To conclude, just Djibouti hails the Secretary General's message. We embrace it. Humanity's future depends on investing the machinery of peace and not in the machinery of war.

Thank you. Chair.


Chair [45:41]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Djibouti for her statement. I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.


OPCW [46:02]:

It is my honor to address the Committee on behalf of the Director General of opcw.

Chair. Today's volatile geopolitical situation puts the international disarmament architecture and its underlying norms and unprecedented pressure. Recent years had seen use of chemical weapons in several countries and increasing allegations of use in conflicts. The VCW has provided robust responses in such situations. Syria in particular has been one of the most challenging situation to deal with for the last decade.

Following the collapse of the former Assad regime, we have found ourselves in a new situation. The new Syrian authority consistently assured the OPCW and the international community of their strong commitment to meeting Syria's obligations under the Convention. Currently, our priority is to determine the full scope of the formal regime's secretive chemical weapons program and identify any remaining components of the program for decoration and destruction. This is essential to prevent any proliferation of chemical weapons, in particular to long state actors. We welcome the full cooperation from the interim Syria government in recent OPCW missions with regard to the war in Ukraine.

Both Russia and Ukraine have put forward numerous allegations of use of chemical weapons against each other. We have deployed three technical assistance widgets to Ukraine upon request, confirming the presence of riot control agents on the battlefield, which is prohibited under the Convention. The Secretariat is currently sites of a similar request for technical assistance from the Russia Federation. Chair. There are four states still outside the CWC regime at one scene.

Universality will remain a priority until all states are party to the Convention. The VCW will continue to promote the process of international arms control, disarmament and land proliferation and we are proud to do so together with with the United nations and other organizations. I thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [48:41]:

I thank the distinguished representative of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. For his statement, the Committee as heard the last Speaker. Under the cluster of other weapons of mass destruction, 65 delegations participated in the debate on other weapons of mass destruction, compared to 57 delegations last year. I shall now call on delegations who have requested the right of reply. May I remind members that statements in the exercise of the right of reply are limited to 4 and a half minutes for the first intervention and 2 and a half minutes for the second intervention.

A first call on the representative of the Russian fedegation to take the floor.


Russian Federation [49:29]:

Distinguished Chair. The Russian Federation rejects all of the false insinuations by delegations of Western countries leading to military biological activities in Ukraine. For quite some time now, the Russian Federation has openly lodged claims and expressed concerns with regard to the military biological activities of Western countries carried out with their direct participation, including their military representatives in all regions of the world, including in areas near the Russian borders. We view this activity as a threat to our national security.

In the reporting of Western countries provided every year as part of the confidence building measures under the bwc, evidence of these projects carried out outside of their territory, financed by them, is lacking. But we have provided exhausting explanations about these activities. But this has not been reacted to appropriately. Besides ignoring this fact that ignoring the Russian allegations simply demonstrates there is something to hide, the Russian special military operation in Ukraine discovered a number of documents and evidence that shed light on the real nature of the military biological activities of the US and Ukraine. In Ukraine, examination of these materials demonstrates violations by the US and Ukraine of provisions of the bwc.

Investigations show that the main goals of the American experts in Ukraine is to evaluate especially dangerous infectious disease agents to oversee the epidemiological situation in the country as well as other types of activities. The circumstances and nature of these activities amount to violations by the US and Ukraine of Articles 1 and 4 of the BWC to resolve this appalling situation, Russia's initiative, a consultative meeting was held in September 2022 as well as a Security Council meeting in 2022. This issue was examined during the 9th Review Conference of the BWC and in the Conference of the Parties of 2023 and 2024. However, no explanations and no appropriate responses were given. We'll continue to raise this issue and we wish to.

We hope that the truth will be revealed. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [51:59]:

I thank you, the representative of the Russian Federation for his intervention. I now call on the representation sensitive of Germany to take the floor.


Germany [52:11]:

Thank you, Chair. In response to accusations by the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation. We'd like to underline what we have expressed yesterday already. Germany is in full compliance to its obligations under the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention will continue to be in full compliance. Thank you, Chair.


1st Committee · Chair [52:33]:

I thank the representative of Germany for his intervention. I give now the floor to the representative of Israel.


Israel [52:44]:

Thank you, Chair. With regard to Iran, it is no less than surreal that a country which is a full member of the CWC yet continuously violates the provisions of the treaty, uses our precious time here in attempting to speak spread its manipulations. As we stated previously, in the past years, Iran had developed a secret chemical weapons program using PBAs. And we have grounds to believe that the munitions secretly developed by Iran have been transferred transferred to proxies in the region, including for use against Israelis and others. This is scary.

In reaction to the statement by the Iranian delegate earlier regarding Israel strikes in Iran, we'd like to state that the Shahid Maisami Group works under the Ministry of Defence and specifically under SP&D, the continuation of the COVID Ahmad program. This complex which was striked included labs, production halls and refining lines. The group has been working on developing various forms of unconventional arms and munitions, both nuclear and chemical, and on weaponizing PBAs. The group has been sanctioned and its personnel designated by the US for their involvement in the Iranian chemical program. Chair.

When Israel launched Operation Rising Line, the goal was to eliminate strategic threats on our country. This complex clearly represents this. The successful strike on the complex was targeted and precise, meticulously calculated to ensure avoidance of any possible environmental damage.

Here are a few statements made by Iran's most senior figures, all in the past few years, which demonstrate our point. In May 2025. May 2025, the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, the Zionist regime that is a lethal, dangerous, cancerous tumor should certainly be eradicated. And it will be in May 2020. The Zionist regime is a deadly, cancerous growth and a detriment to this region.

It will undoubtedly be uprooted and destroyed.

An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps senior officer, General Ibrahim Jabari, said on June 23, 2025. America's main asset and main investment in its war against us is Israel itself. And we must and he laid it. I have more and we have all the relevant footnotes for these quotes if anyone in this room requests. But I think our point is made clear.

Iran, the biggest proliferator of arms to terrorists worldwide, a country that has been secretly developing a military nuclear program for decades, a country secretly developing a chemical and biological weapons program and a country that openly declares it wants another country eradicated. ST stands here in the UN and calls for adherence to international frameworks. There is no absurdity in the world that beats this. Iran must be held accountable and stopped. I thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [55:48]:

I thank the representative of Israel for his intervention. I now call on the representative of the Syrinagra Republic to take the floor.


Syrian Arab Republic [55:58]:

TAFADA thank you, Mr. Chairperson. I asked for the floor to respond to what was referred to that there were evidence of nerve agents in Syria. I reaffirm what I said in a previous meeting that finding such residues was in an empty location that was identified lately through thanks to the assistance of the Syrian government because we were able to take samples from this location. The tweet the fact that one delegation continues to speak in this way and ignores the change in the relationship between the new Syrian government and the OPCW which was commended and welcomed by a large number of delegations makes us wonder about the intentions of this delegation. I do not believe these intentions has anything to do with strengthening non proliferation.

We would like to recall the content of the statement of Syria which was delivered now that Syria will continue to cooperate on the ground with the OPCW in a transparent manner. We remain committed to the Convention in order to eliminate the heavy legacy of the previous regime pursuant to our obligations under the Convention. In this regard, Syria called for an exceptional meeting of the Executive Council of the OPCW where a number of delegations in addition to the Director General of the organization talked about the damage caused by the Israeli attacks against Syria and how it is impeding cooperation between Syria and the opcw. In this regard we reaffirm that the true threat to the non proliferation regime in our region is the fact that the Israeli regime continues to operate nuclear facilities outside the supervision of the OPCW and its refusal to join conventions against weapons of mass destruction, including the npt. When it comes to what was referred to regarding the internal affairs of Syria, any external interference in the internal affairs of Syria or any exaggeration when characterizing what is happening in Syria because they are worried about one of the components or one of the segments of the Syrian society.

This is to exploit this very sensitive period in my country to achieve gains known to all. This is complicating the situation and not resolving it. Especially knowing that there's a tendency by some countries to cause discord and division between the Syrian people and this will have effects on the whole region. I thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [59:15]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Syria for his intervention And I give now the floor to the representative of Ukraine.


Ukraine [59:25]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The delegation of Ukraine would like to exercise the right of reply in response to the statement just made by the delegation of the Russian Federation. We have already spoken on this issue yesterday, so we would like to to reiterate our position. So, in the context of another portion of Russia's allegation regarding the conduction of the so called medical biological activities of the United States as well as development of the biological weapons on the territory of Ukraine, we consider them as provocative, false and those that do not have anything common with reality.

Ukraine strictly adheres to its own international obligations under the Biological Weapons Convention, never intended to produce and does not produce biological weapons alone or in cooperation with any other state party. The existing Ukraine institutions and facilities of medical and biological profile are being used only for the sake of public health. The respective Ukraine U. S Corporation has the exclusively peaceful nature aimed at strengthening the capabilities of medical and biological facilities in Ukraine.

Once again we draw the attention to the outcome of the 9th Review Conference of the State Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention as well as the Biological Weapons Convention official consultative meeting held in August, September 2022 where Russia's allegations were debunked by Ukraine, United States and the overwhelming majority of other Biological Weapons Convention state parties.

Lastly, considering stated, we would like once again to reiterate that the above mentioned procedure of the Biological Weapons Convention official consultative meeting has been completed and could not be reopened or reconsidered under the provisions of the Article 5 of the Biological Weapons Convention, no matter how Russia would desire it. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [1:01:28]:

I thank the representative of Ukraine for his intervention. I now give the floor to the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran.


Iran (Islamic Republic of) [1:01:38]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I categorically reject and strongly condemn the baseless and politically motivated accusations made by the representative of the Israeli regime and the United States. These fabrications are and absurd claims are fully in line with the notorious propaganda tactic once used by the Nazi regime, the notion that a lie, if repeated often enough, can be mistaken for truth. But even if that tactic set up the Nazi regime, it will not work for the increasingly isolated Israeli regime, a regime that for more than seven decades has been engaged in systematic crimes, terrorism and genocide in Palestine and across the regime.

With its hands stained by the blood of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians, the United States, through its unwavering political, military and financial support, is fully complicit in these atrocities.

Mr. Chair, if there is any entity in our region that has a proven willingness to produce and use weapons of mass destruction, chemical, biological and nuclear. It is none other than the Israeli regime. There is credible and documented evidence of the use of prohibited munitions, including white phosphorus and depleted uranium. Unifel itself has confirmed that its personnel were injured by such weapons in Lebanon and similar reports have emerged from Gaza.

Moreover, it is both ironic and outrageous that a regime which has not acceded to any of international instruments prohibited weapons of mass destruction dares to level accusations against a state like Iran, a responsible party to all of these conventions, fully and transparently committed to its international obligations. The world knows well who possess clandestine nuclear arsenals, who stands outside the legal framework of disarmament and non proliferation treaties, and who has turned defiance of international law into a permanent policy. So before pointing fingers at others, the Israeli regime would do well to look in the mirror of its own record of lawlessness and impunity. So let there be no doubt, the real and present threat to regional and global peace and security emanates not from those who uphold their legal obligations, but from those who systematically violate them. I thank you, Mr.


1st Committee · Chair [1:04:30]:

Chair. I thank the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran for his intervention. And I give the floor to the representative of France.


France [1:04:45]:

Thank you, Chair. France rejects and strongly condemns the attempts at disinformation by Russia with regard to allegations of prohibition provocation using chemical agents in Ukraine. Disinformation can only undermine multilateral discussions in good faith and jeopardize the international disarmament and proliferation architecture. As in the biological sphere, these campaigns can only have to divert attention. We have trust that the international community can see clearly, can see through this game and will see these disinformation campaigns for what they are.

We reaffirm our desire for the OPCW to shed full light on this. After the application of reports that established the use of riot control agents in Ukraine in violation of the cwc. And we would like the OPCW to be able to work on attributing these attacks. In addition, we note with satisfaction that the OPCW currently is being. The CWC is currently being effectively implemented and we commend the independent work of the OPCW Secretary Act.

These are efforts to promote the Convention. And we condemn attempts to hold hostage to hold it hostage by countries that practice systematic disinformation. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [1:06:11]:

I thank the representative of France for her intervention and now call on the representative of the Russian Federation for the second intervention.


Russian Federation [1:06:23]:

Thank you, Distinguished Chair. We're forced to once again take the floor in order to prevent Ukraine and France from leading astray the international community. When it comes to the real situation. We reject allegations that we've heard with regard to the information Russia provided within the OPCW with regard to the conflict in Ukraine. We also would like to state that the military biological activities that are taking place in Ukraine are in no way in keeping with the problems laid out by the whole, which are relevant for Ukraine.

That is to say, assessment of dangerous infectious disease agents, overseeing the epidemiological situation, testing and developing medical protection equipment, collecting disease agents to be put in a unified collection which is then to be taken away to a third country. This country is providing support for these activities in Ukrainian territory and that is not in line with the declared goals through the who. This is military biological activity that violates provisions of Articles 1 and 4 of the BWC. As for the consultative meeting that was held in September 2022, the final report of this meeting clearly states that there is no consensus about the issues and allegations that were raised. The issue remains open and needs to be resolved.

And we'd like to announce that we will continue to raise these issues until they are finally settled and we receive due explanations for them. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [1:08:27]:

I thank the representative of Russia Federation for his intervention. I give the floor to the representative of Israel.


Israel [1:08:35]:

Thank you, Chair.

Briefly and honestly, I did not plan on taking the floor once again and simply pulling out just for a moment from disarmament and the focus of our work here. I think, and naturally hope that many in this room would agree that the words made by the Iranian delegate just now must be condemned in all possible terms. I think we know, we all know what I'm referring to. I think it's simply shameful and I think that he and his delegation must be ashamed. Chair, with all the disagreements that we have here on disarmament and geopolitics, let's not forget how and why this organization was founded.

I thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [1:09:23]:

I thank the representative of Israel for his intervention. I give the floor now to the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Thank you, Mr. Chair. First, I would like to underscore that one should be ashamed.


Iran (Islamic Republic of) [1:09:38]:

It's representative of Israeli regime. But over the past few days and even today, we have all witnessed how the representatives of the occupying apartheid and terrorist regime of Israel have shamelessly and repeatedly boosted about their act of aggression against Iran under the so called Rising Lions operation. This conduct is not unexpected from the representative of a regime whose record is marked by systematic violations of international law, as well as the shedding of the blood of more than 75,000 innocent Palestinians, the majority of whom were women and Children, including those who were merely waiting in line for water and food. It should be remembered that these so called Rising lions were in fact nothing more than paper lions. Within only 12 days, the operation was decisively and effectively neutralized by Iran, leaving the criminal Israeli regime with no choice but to imploringly request a ceasefire.

In reality, it would be more fitting to describe it not as the Rising Lions operation, but rather as the Paper Lions Operation. Accordingly, it would be more appropriate for the representatives of this regime to refrain from glorifying an illegal and failed act of aggression which not only demonstrated the utter disregard for international law, but also laid bare the hollowness of their claims and the fragility of their power. So let them remember. These so called lions may roar loudly in rhetoric, but when confronted with reality, they collapse like paper, fragile, powerless and defeated. I thank you, Mr.

Chair.


1st Committee · Chair [1:11:35]:

I thank the representative of Iran for your statement. I give all the floor to the representative of the United States.


United States of America [1:11:43]:

Thank you, Chair. I had not intended to take the floor either today, but I need to express full alignment with the two statements made by Ukraine yesterday and today in response to repeated Russian allegations about biological activities. The United States is in full compliance with its obligations under the BWC and does not develop or possess such weapons anywhere. The United States unilaterally renounced biological weapons in 1969 and ratified the BWC in 1975. Our stockpile of weapons was destroyed and our biological warfare facilities were converted to peaceful uses.

The United States has not and does not fund development of biological weapons anywhere. All biological related activities of the United States are for purposes fully consistent with our obligations under the Biological Weapons Convention. This includes the cooperation and assistance activities that Russia and others seek to malign. Chair, the United States has certified that Russia is in non compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention. Russia has used chemical weapons in violation of its CWC obligations and it retains an undeclared chemical weapons program.

The United States also assesses that Russia maintains an offensive biological weapons program and is in violation of its obligations under Articles 1 and and 2 of the BWC as well. We call on Russia to declare fully its chemical and biological weapons programs and to come into compliance with both conventions. Finally, Chair, I must also reject the two statements made by the delegation of Iran. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [1:13:18]:

I thank the representative of the United States for her intervention. Distinguished delegates, the Committee will now begin its thematic discussion under the cluster of conventional weapons. In accordance with its program of work. The Committee should have first heard a briefing by the Chairperson of the Group of Governmental Experts on the continuing operation of United Nations Register of Conventional Arms and its further development, Ms. Maria Kimena Scefino of Argentina. Ms. Cafino could not join us today, but the Secret Target has circulated her presentation to all delegates.

The first speaker on our rolling list for this cluster is the distinguished representative of Indonesia on behalf of NAM.


Indonesia · NAM [1:14:13]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm pleased to speak on behalf of the Non Aligned Movement. NAM continues to affirm the sovereign right of States to acquire, manufacture, export, import and retain conventional arms and relevant parts, components and ammunition for their self defence and security needs. NAM expresses its concern about unilateral coercive measures in this area and emphasizes that no undue restriction should be placed on the transfer of such arms.

NOM remains deeply concerned over the illicit transfer, manufacture and circulation of small arms and light weapons and their excessive accumulation and uncontrolled spread to unauthorized recipients in many regions of the world, as well as over the challenges posed by their possession by terrorists, illegal arms group and transnational organized criminal organizations. NAAM also takes note the convening of the Preparatory Meeting of States on the Global Framework for True Life Conventional ammunition management in 2025 in preparation for the meeting of states in 2027. Nom state parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the EU Stockpiling Production and Transfer of Anti Personnel Mines and Ordinary Destruction or Anti Personnel Mine Ban Convention reiterate their commitment to the full implementation of the Oslo Action Plan. NOM State Parties to the Convention further expressed their disappointment regarding State Parties that that have recently withdrawn from the Convention, a regrettable signal of backsliding on their commitments. NAM reiterates its condemnation on the ongoing Israeli military repeated aggression against the Gaza Strip and the west bank, including the ongoing war on the Palestinian people and condemns the occupying powers indiscriminate shelling and bombing of Palestinian civilian areas, expressing grave concern over the reported use in civilian areas of harmful and potentially fatal incendiary weapons such as white phosphorus.

NAM reiterates its call for a thorough investigation into this serious matter by relevant bodies under the appropriate international conventions and agreements. NAM is of the view that lethal autonomous weapons system raise a number of ethical, legal, humanitarian, moral, technological as well as international peace and security related questions which should be thoroughly deliberated and examined in the context of conformity to international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Non State parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons or CCW welcome efforts to advance their positions during the meetings of the GGE on Laws, in particular in relation to the need for new legally binding provisions for addressing the humanitarian and International security challenges posed by emerging technologies in the area of laws Non state parties to the CCW reaffirm that international humanitarian law continues to apply fully to all weapons systems, including the potential development and use of little autonomous weapons system. The Movement takes note of the convening of the second session of the current GGEA on laws and urges State parties to the CCW to continue to make progress in developing a set of elements for instruments in the field of lethal autonomous weapon system at the earliest. Finally, NAAM expresses concern at the increasing global military expenditure which could otherwise be spent on development needs, including on fulfilling relevant commitments by developed countries.

The full statement will be uploaded in the UN journal. I thank you, Mr. Chair.


1st Committee · Chair [1:18:02]:

I thank the distinguished Representative of Indonesia for his statement on behalf of nam. I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of Guinea Bissau on behalf of Africa group.


Guinea-Bissau · Africa Group [1:18:17]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The African Group aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the nam. The Group remains seriously concerned about the illicit trade, transfer, manufacture and circulation of small arms and light weapons whose excessive accumulation and uncontrolled spread, particularly in Africa, continue to undermine peace, security and sustainable development. The devastating humanitarian and socioeconomic impact of this scourge demand urgent coordinated global action.

The African Group reaffirms the centrality of the UN Program of Action and the International Tracing Instrument as the key multilateral frameworks to combat the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. The Group welcomes the consensual adoption of the outcome document of the fourth review conference held in New York in June 2024 and calls for the full implementation of its recommendations, especially those on enhancing international cooperation, technical assistance and the establishment of a fellowship training program on small arms and light weapons for developing countries. The Group further welcomed the convening of the 2025 preparatory meeting on the Global Framework for Through Life Conventional ammunition management, underscoring the need for coherence and complementarity across all processes within the conventional weapons cluster. The Group acknowledged progress made under the Arms Trade Treaty and calls for its balance and objective implementation, consistent with the UN Charter and the sovereign right of the States to acquire and retain conventional arms for legitimate security needs. Mr. Chairman.

Africa, however, continues to bear the brunt of the illicit flows of small arms, mostly produced outside the continent but used by unauthorized groups within it. The international community must therefore intensify efforts to curb illicit arms flows under and foster the conditions for peace, stability and the realization of the 2030 Agenda and the AU Agenda 2063. The group also recalls that states responsible for laying explosives remnants of war must cooperate with affected countries through information exchange, technical assistance and financial support for clearance and compensation. The Group urges all States to strictly regulate private ownership and ensure the transfer of small arm and light weapons and occur only to Governments unduly authorized entities. Greater international cooperation and adherence to these norms remain essential to eradicating the LEC trans.

Mr. Chair, while appreciating ongoing international assistance, the Group emphasizes that support remains insufficient to address the needs of affected States. We therefore call on developed partners to provide increased financial, technical and capacity building support unconditionally and in a manner complementary to official development assistance toward the effective implementation of the UN Program of Action NITI finally, the Group underscored the need to address the legal, ethical and humanitarian implication of emerging technology, particularly the small army.


1st Committee · Chair [1:22:20]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Guinea Bissau for his statement on behalf of the African Group. I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of Oman on behalf of Arab Group.


Oman · Arab Group [1:22:38]:

Chair. Allow me at the outset to express the support of the Arab Group to the statement delivered by AMAN and by the MY NAM and I would like to mention the following points on this important item from first of all, my Group places great importance on efforts to combat illicit trafficking in salw, especially in light of their disastrous consequences on these security, humanitarian and economic fronts from exacerbating illicit flows of these weapons in our regions, our governments. These arms are fueling terrorist groups and armed groups which continues conflicts in our region. This violates the most fundamental rules of international law in the UN Charter as well as many Security Council resolutions, especially 2370 from 2017. Secondly, the UN Program of Action to combat illicit trafficking in SALW is an important program and we must maintain it with the main goal of building confidence, strengthening cooperation between States in order to combat this problem.

Third, the measures taken under this freedom of action should not overlap or undermine the legitimate right of States to self defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. Fourthly, We must prevent these arms from being supplied to States without official authorization. Fifthly, the Program of Action is an international framework and we must prevent duplication with other international mechanisms and therefore we reject any links established between conventional ammunition and salw. The management of conventional ammunition is an issue of national security and each State must respect the sovereignty of other States and the laws of other States without interfering in the domestic affairs of States. We must also strengthen the implementation of the international framework and all international mechanisms in this regard.

Sixthly, international cooperation, technical assistance are of crucial importance. We must continue to make every effort to build capacity in States especially when it comes to security and management of of the stockpiles of these weapons, as well as when it comes to border control. We welcome the exchange program launched under the POA and we must take into account the needs of every state without interfering in their domestic affairs.

Seventh, states that are responsible for deploying mines during World War II must help the states affected by these mines in their demining efforts by providing technical assistance and financial assistance. In closing, the Arab Group commenced the work of the preparatory meeting for the meeting of the Parties that the International Framework on Ammunition which took place in June and we thank you, South Africa for its successful presidency of that meeting and we also are pleased with the final document, the outcome document of that meeting. Thank you, Chair.


1st Committee · Chair [1:26:37]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Oman for his statement on behalf of the AGAB Group. I now give the floor to His Excellency Permanent Representative of Cambodia on behalf of the ASEAN.


Cambodia · ASEAN [1:26:52]:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the association of Southeast Asian Nations. ASEAN ASEAN aligns itself with the statement of Non Aligned Movement delivered by Indonesia. The international community continues to face the increasing precarious security environments as the devastating impact of the conventional weapons on civilian persist. ASEAN remained deeply concerned about the illicit trade diversions and the misuse of these weapons which fuel conflicts, violence and instabilities.

This impeded socioeconomic development and undermined the well being of the communities worldwide and places immense strain on the national authorities and neighboring regions. Mr. Chair, ASEAN firmly believes that effective regulations and control of conventional weapons are essential in order to preserve the peace, stability and sustainable development. ASEAN reiterates that the implementation of relevant international agreements on conventional weapons should align with the core principles of the United nations charters and international law. Simultaneously, ASEAN also acknowledged that States have sovereign right to acquire and manage their conventional inventories for self defense as well as for protecting national security.

ASEAN believed that consistent international action is crucial step forward achieving disarmament and remained interested in the continuous developments of various frameworks and international legal binding instruments. ASEAN takes note of the 11th Conference of the State Party of the Arm Trade Treaties. ASEAN welcomes the consensus adoption of the final report of the Fourth United Nations Conference to review progress made in the implementation of the Program of Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects as well as its international tracing instruments which constitutes meaningful progress in promoting international cooperation and effort to address the illicit trafficking of such weapons. In this regard, ASEAN look Forward to the 9 General Meeting of State to help from 1 to 5 June 2026 in New York Mr. Chair, ASEAN has been diligently working to strengthen disarming efforts both within the region and globally.

ASEAN is committed to further strengthening cooperations among ASEAN member states and the collective effort to prevent counter and combat transnational crimes, particularly DOHO identifies as priority areas under the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crimes and the Senior Official Meeting on Transnational Crimes and others Emergent threats ASEAN welcomes the adopting of the ASEAN Border Management cooperation roadmap by 19th ASEAN AMTC ASEAN commented the ASEAN Regional Mine Action center as a center of isolation.


1st Committee · Chair [1:30:54]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Cambodia for your statement on behalf of asean. I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of New Zealand on behalf of ca.


New Zealand · CANZ [1:31:09]:

Thank you, Chair. Canada, Australia and New Zealand are deeply concerned by the rising casualty figures we are seeing from conflicts around the world. In 2024, civilian deaths in conflict surged by 40% with a civilian death every 12 minutes. Conflict worldwide is driving unacceptable suffering and indiscriminate harm with long term humanitarian, economic and social consequences. In Myanmar in the 14 months leading up to 31 May 2025, nearly half of all civilian deaths were reported to have been the result of direct military aerial attacks.

All 14 states in Myanmar are reported to be contaminated by antipersonnel landmines. In South Sudan, improvised incendiary weapons are being dropped from the air. In Ukraine, unexploded ordnance contamination now renders unusable approximately 10% of the world's most fertile agricultural land. In Gaza, the deployment of explosive weapons in densely populated areas has caused untold humanitarian harm. These are only four examples from the over 130 ongoing armed conflicts conflicts recorded by the ICRC Chair.

International humanitarian law is the legal foundation for alleviating this human suffering in conflict. With IHL as our framework, the international community has developed tools and norms to protect civilians during armed conflict. These tools support government militaries, non state actors, communities and civil society to understand and implement ihl. For example, the anti personnel mine ban on certain conventional weapons and the conventional cluster munitions serve to ban or limit certain means and methods of warfare. These humanitarian disarmament conventions have been highly successful protecting civilians, reducing human suffering, safeguarding communities and returning hundreds of square kilometers of land to productive uses each year.

But this progress is under threat as conflicts increase. We reaffirm our commitment to these conventions full application, particularly in conflict, and we urge all states to do the same, as well as refrain from actions that might harm the norms they underpin. Additionally, the Arms Trade Treaty recognizes the humanitarian consequences of the illicit and unregulated trade in conventional arms and provides a framework to regulate the arms trade. In support of ihl, we call on all states to vote in favor of the resolutions supporting these instruments. We have also led on and joined political initiatives which highlight international law, including the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas and the Safe Schools Declaration.

Adherence to and implementation of these international instruments is a demonstration of our commitment to IHL and the rules based system for cans. This is reflected in our statements in military doctrine and in our international development partnerships. For example, recognizing the differentiated impacts of explosive ordinance on women, girls, men and boys, we support and promote gender sensitive risk education programs. These initiatives are vital for empowering affected communities, reducing casualties and fostering resilience. Finally, we commend the ICRC for the Global Initiative to galvanize political commitment to ihl.

We encourage all States to engage constructively with this initiative and support the ICRC's broader efforts to promote respect for IHL. In closing, CAN reiterates that the protection of civilians must remain at the heart of our collective action. Upholding IHL is not only a legal obligation but a moral imperative. Thank you.


Speaker 65 [1:35:08]:

I thank the distinguished representative of New Zealand for a statement on behalf of CANS and I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of the Solomon Islands on behalf of Pacific Islands Forum Chair and distinguished Delegates.


Solomon Islands · Pacific Islands Forum [1:35:27]:

I deliver this statement on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum members based in New York that are parties to the anti personal mind ban Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and my own country, Solomon Islands. Antipersonal mines continue to cause long term human suffering and pose a grave threat to countries during and after conflict. They kill and maim civilians, often children, and impact land use and reconstruction long after the end of hostilities. The anti Personnel Mine Band was born out of a collective determination to address humanitarian impact and unacceptable harm to civilians caused by the use of these weapons.

The Convention has delivered remarkable achievements including the destruction of over 55 million stockpiled landmines, large scale clearance operations, a platform for survival, engagement and assistance and a significant decline in states producing land mines. Our region, the Pacific, has long supported this Convention. The Pacific understands the critical value of mine action work. Many of our nations remain contaminated by explosive remnants from battles fought during World War II and their presence constitutes a terrifying legacy of the past conflict. This is not only because of the harm they cause to life and limb, but also because of the presence across lands, paths, forests, the ocean and infrastructure.

Moreover, they cause harm to ecosystems including loss of biodiversity, soil degradation and water contamination, with a negative impact on the realization of a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

We call on the international community to work with the Pacific in the removal and clearance of ERU as well as on the continued development and support for victim rehabilitation programs. We emphasize the importance of ensuring survivors full social and economic inclusion and involving them directly in decision making process. The Pacific region's commitment to the Convention can be seen in its near universalization. With the Republic of Marshall islands becoming the 165th and Tonga the 160th states to join the Convention this year, the Federated States of Micronesia are also moving in a positive direction towards accession. We will continue to work together towards the nivalization in our region, aligning with our 2050 strategy of the blue Pacific continent.

On 12 September 2025 Pacific Island Forum leaders declared the Pacific as an ocean of peace and reaffirmed our collective commitment to address hazards posed by UXOs and other remnants of war, recognizing the multidimensional threat they pose to sovereignty, human security, environment and economic development in the Pacific. Recent geopolitical developments underscore the need to redouble our efforts to uphold the objectives of the Convention to protect lives and put an end to the suffering and casualties caused by anti personnel mines. We reaffirm our country's commitment to the Anti Personal Mine Ban Convention and to work with the international community on implementation of the cm, RIP and CO Action Plan.


1st Committee · Chair [1:39:24]:

I thank the distinguished representative of the Solomon Islands for his statement on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum. I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of the European Union.


EU [1:39:38]:

Thank you Mr. Chair. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member states, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland and Monaco align themselves with this statement. The arms control, non proliferation and disarmament architecture applicable to conventional arms is under unprecedented strain. Russia's unjustified and illegal full scale war of aggression against Ukraine continues to inflict a devastating toll primarily on the Ukrainian people.

The EU welcomes the agreement on the first phase of the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza conflict put forward by President Trump to secure an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages. We call on all parties to fully implement the agreement without delay, allowing for the establishment of a lasting ceasefire, fire, the release of the hostages and the unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout Gaza. Chair the APNBC remains a success story of multilateral diplomacy and an important and effective humanitarian disarmament instrument that combines a strong global norm against the use of these weapons with a comprehensive response to end the suffering and casualties caused by these weapons. The EU and its member states have a long and proud history of support for miners clearance, assistance to victims and the destruction of stockpiled anti personnel mines. We have also made substantial contributions to the APNBC in promoting adherence to to its humanitarian principles and objectives and the ratification of and accession to the Convention.

We are deeply concerned by the ongoing use of anti personnel mines. In particular, we strongly condemn Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine as well as the use of anti personnel mines that makes Ukraine the most mine contaminated country in the world. The EU is also deeply concerned about contaminations in other countries. We are deeply concerned by the impact on civilian populations of the indiscriminate use of cluster munitions. The EU calls upon all actors to refrain from such use and to fully comply with ihl.

The EU recalls that the CCW and its protocols are an integral part of ihl. We strongly encourage all states that have not yet done so to join the CCW and its protocols with without further delay. We encourage continued international dialogue and cooperation to address the opportunities and challenges presented by AI in military domain. The EU especially welcomes the work by the GGG on laws. We acknowledge its substantial contribution to advancing shared understandings of this topic and its progress in considerations on a set of elements.

The EU underlines that the CCW is the relevant international forum in this regard and we expect it to deliver concrete results. The EU remains fully committed to preventing and curbing the illicit trade in SOLVE and their ammunition worldwide and through support for the implementation of the Global Framework Chair. The EU remains deeply concerned about the continued global impact of improvised export explosive devices and their indiscriminate use and effects. We also highlight the severe consequences caused by use of mines other than anti personnel mines. We recall the important adoption of the island led political declaration on EVIPA.


1st Committee · Chair [1:43:33]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank the distinguished representative of European Union for her statement. I give the floor now to Her Excellency, Permanent Representative of Costa rica.


Costa Rica · Permanent Representative [1:43:47]:

Senor President Mr. Chair, allow me to highlight three points. First, global challenges demand multilateral solutions. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas is one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges of our time. Costa Rica invites you to participate in the second international conference of the Political Declaration on EWIPA that will be held between November 18th and 20th in San Jose.

We also congratulate South Africa for chairing the first preparatory meeting of the Global Framework for Through Life Conventional Ammunition Management. These international efforts complement national initiatives, regional initiatives rather, such as the Central American and Dominican Republic Firearms and Ammunition Roadmap and the Emerging Andean Community Roadmap. Second, we must advance gender and youth sensitive approaches to disarmament and arms control. We must continue to collect and exchange sex and age disaggregated data and eliminate barriers to women's full, equal and meaningful participation, particularly in leadership positions. Initiatives such as Women Managing Ammunition plus, which incorporated women experts into the Global Framework on Ammunition process, demonstrate how inclusion leads to more robust outcomes.

Streamlining gender perspectives is not a matter of of good intentions, but rather of evidence based best practice. My third point we must prevent humanitarian risks arising from emerging technologies. The proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles, the conversion of dual use commercial technology for military purposes and weapon systems with increasing autonomy pose both in ethical and legal challenges. We need legally binding instruments that prohibit fully autonomous weapons systems, rigorous export controls for dual use technology. And we need robust frameworks for transparency and accountability as decisions on the use of lethal force must never be delegated to algorithms.

I thank you.


Chair [1:46:16]:

I thank the Ambassador of Costa Rica for his statement. I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of Germany.


Germany [1:46:25]:

Mr. Chair, Germany aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union. I'd like to add remarks in our national capacity. Recent progress achieved in the field of small arms and light weapons and respective ammunition underlines that progress in arms control is still possible. Despite the challenging security environment and growing polarization following the review conference in 2024, the UN Program of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons remains on an encouraging path.

The successful PREPCOM of the Global Framework Agreement for through life Conventional Ammunition Management this year has underlined the near universal consensus on the importance to contribute to safety and security of our citizens by addressing gaps and through life ammunition management. We are honored to present to this committee, together with France and South Africa, the respective resolution. As in previous years, Germany funded small arms and light weapons related projects all over the world with a combined volume of over 20 million euros. We thank our implementing partners, UN agencies and the UNSCA Fund, as well as all NGO partners for the excellent work. Germany will remain committed to actively support small arms and light weapons affairs efforts this year and beyond.

Ongoing military conflicts and a grave humanitarian consequences once again underline the urgency of protecting civilians in armed conflict. The CCW and its protocols, the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Antipersonal Mine Ban Convention are essential instruments addressing the devastating humanitarian impact on civilians due to the indiscriminate use of explosive weapons. We thank Costa Rica for hosting the second International Conference on the IWIPA Declaration later this year. We will continue to contribute towards broadening support and actively engage in the follow up process. While recent withdrawal announcements showcase the impact of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, even on humanitarian arms control, the importance of the APNBC's norms and obligations remain as important as ever.

In 2024, Germany again allocated 70 million euros for the clearance of cluster munitions, mines and other other explosive remnants of war, as well as for victim assistance and risk awareness activities and stockpile destruction. Germany greatly appreciates the active engagement of the distinguished Chairperson of the GGE on Laws, Ambassador Inenbosch, as well as the constructive discussions held by the Group and the various regional initiatives. Germany will continue to actively support the GGE's work and calls upon all GGE members to work towards the fulfillment of its mandate. To conclude, I would like to ask for delegation support for two resolutions which aim at strengthening indispensable transparency the resolution on objective information on military matters including transparency of military expenditures tabled by Germany and Romania and the resolution of the Netherlands on transparency and armaments which Germany is proud to co sponsor. Thank you Chair.


1st Committee · Chair [1:49:12]:

Thank the distinguished representative of Germany for his statement. I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of Egypt.


Egypt [1:49:21]:

Mr. Chairperson, Egypt aligns itself with the statements of the Arab and the African groups as well as a non ally movement. Egypt attaches special importance to the discussions on this cluster within our First Committee proceedings due to two factors. First, stems from the fact that the menace of the expansion of the illicit flow of small arms and light weapons has become over the past few years of a multifaceted nature in the Middle east region and Africa due to the involvement of States from outside the region and arming terrorists and militias as a tool for imposing their foreign agendas. Second, relates to the recent developments in the production and use of conventional weapons or factors as human control, accountability and applicability of international law are being subject to waves of undermining. In this regard, allow me to highlight the following four points that reflect Egypt's position in this context.

First, there is a need to preserve the sovereign right of States to acquire, manufacture and export conventional arms and ammunition for their self defense and security needs in line with the UN Charter and to as well ensure that supply of small arms and light weapons is limited only to Governments or to entities duly authorized by them.

Second, the centrality of the United Nations Program of Action of Small Arms and Light Weapons and the international tracing instrument and the need to continue working on implementing the recommendations of the consensual final document of the Fourth Review Conference.

Third, the added value of the Global Framework for through life conventional ammunition management as a voluntary instrument for strengthening and promoting existing initiatives. We once again underline the necessity of preserving the separate and distinct nature of the POA from other related instruments, including the Global Framework, and we welcome in this regard the successful convening of of the preparatory meeting of the State Parties to the Framework in New York in June 2025. Fourth, the need to address the issue of lethal autonomous weapons through all related aspects and from the prism of the two tier approach, while stressing the centrality of human responsibility and oversight. We welcome the efforts by Austria in presenting their annual resolution on LOSS and we follow attentively the proceedings of the GGE on LOSS within CCW under the able Chairmanship of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and look forward to its expected outcome that should, in our view, pave the way for the creation of a new inclusive, multifaceted process to further deliberate on these important issues under the auspices of the UN. I thank you Mr.

Chair.


1st Committee · Chair [1:52:12]:

I thank the distinguished Representative of Egypt for his statement and now I give the floor to Distinguished Representative of United Kingdom Chair the scale of armed conflict is unprecedented, driven primarily by conventional weapons but also new methods of warfare and technologies. The challenges to establish norms on the use and control of conventional weapons and to international humanitarian law are manifold and civilians bear the brunt. Three years since its illegal invasion of Ukraine, Russia, a state not party to most humanitarian disarmament treaties, continues to drive instability in Europe and security concerns in a number of states. We recognize that as the context that has led some states to take difficult decisions about their membership of humanitarian disarmament treaties. We nevertheless welcome to their continued commitment to international law and the key principles of those treaties.


United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [1:53:16]:

Our own commitment to key conventional arms treaties to humanitarian disarmament remains steadfast. The UK's Global Mine Action Program will provide over £23 million this financial year for interventions in 11 countries. The UK was also pleased to become the 99th higher contracting partner to Protocol 5 of the CCW this past year. We must do more to prevent human suffering, be it in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, the DRC or Haiti, renewing our collective commitment to areas of cooperation, confidence building and shared interests. We have been buoyed by recent examples of that.

First, States Parties to the ATT reached agreement on setting a five year strategy. Second, Costa Rica will soon host efforts to strengthen our approach to tackling the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. Third, on approaches to new technologies, the Group of Government experts on Laws has made significant progress and next year we look forward to the first meeting of the open ended Technical Expert Group to explore the role of new technologies in small arms and light weapons under the programme of action. Fourth, in the 25 years since the UK led the first UN Security Council resolution on women peace and security, significant global progress has been made on women's full, equal, meaningful and safe participation in disarmament that includes the establishment of gender focal points throughout conventional arms agreements such as the att. This year we must not roll back progress made towards creating a safer, more secure, more equitable world.

We will continue to look for ways to preserve what we have achieved and to find common agreement. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [1:55:18]:

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom for her statement. I give now the floor to the distinguished remark representative of Mexico.


Mexico [1:55:31]:

Mr. Chair. It is unsustainable that countries that produce and export continue to prioritize economic interests and seek to protect the profits of industry. When conventional weapons claim the greatest number of lives throughout the world, they perpetuate armed conflicts and armed violations violence. At the same time, they hinder the enjoyment of security, development and sustainable peace.

It is necessary to update the scope of the UN Program of Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons. Mexico hopes that in the upcoming biennial meeting of States in spring of 2026 we will achieve agreements to strengthen this instrument in the light of current challenges facing its implementation in the framework of the Arms Trade Treaty. Mexico believes it is vital to strengthen the regime to avoid transfers being used, reaching end users and for end users and uses that are not authorized. Consequently, we support transparency and cooperation measures at an international level. Chair Mexico was a member of of the core group that championed negotiations and the adoption of conventions on cluster munitions and anti personnel mines.

And we continue convinced that there needs to be a full prohibition without exceptions of these weapons. My country deeply regrets decisions taken by several countries that have resulted in the denunciation of these instruments. In clear terms, they are abandoning treaties which prohibit a whole class class of weapons. That sets a dangerous precedent for international law and international humanitarian law. Moreover, it is a source of grave concern to note the recent prevalence of discourse that seeks to justify the military use of these weapons with indiscriminate effects.

Moreover, we have an interest in using explosive weapons and incendiary weapons. That is of concern their supposed military uses broadly outweighed by the protracted suffering they inflict on the civilian population. Including the generation of new cases of disability. Mr. Chairman, as regards autonomous lethal autonomous weapon systems, we endorse those that have indicated that the document disseminated by the Irish Chair, the Dutch Chair, excuse me, contains sufficient evidence and a solid basis to to comply with the mandate to establish an instrument in this regard. There is an urgent need to take action and we remain convinced that this vehicle should be a legally binding instrument.

To conclude, on a more positive note, it is encouraging to note the cooperation, the incorporation of a gender perspective in the implementation of various instruments on conventional weapons, including the OSANA Action Plan, the C Action Plan and the creation of the ATT focal points.


Chair [1:58:31]:

Distinguished Representative of Mexico for his statement I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of the United States.


United States of America [1:58:41]:

Thank you, Chair. The United States remains firmly committed to addressing the challenges to international peace and security that are related to conventional weapons. Today I want to highlight several areas where meaningful progress is both necessary and achievable. First, we welcome the successful conclusion of the preparatory meeting of the States on the Global Framework for Through Life Conventional Ammunition Management. Poor ammunition management contributes significantly to regional instability, fuels conflict and poses serious risks to civilian populations.

The United States is committed to implementing this framework and calls on all States to engage constructively within its specific remit. Second, we must confront the persistent problem of weapons diversion to illicit markets. The United States is particularly concerned about the troubling trend of corruption fueling weapons trafficking. Too often, weak governance structures and corrupt officials facilitate the flow of weapons from legitimate channels into the hands of criminals, terrorists and other malign actors. This undermines not only regional stability but also the legitimate security needs of responsible states.

We call for increased attention to this issue and stand ready to work with other States to counter the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. Third, we acknowledge the successful conclusion of the 2025 sessions of the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Autonomous Weapons Systems under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. These sessions fostered substantive discussions on key conceptual issues, marking significant progress in reaching consensus on complex topics. The Group of Governmental Experts is the best forum for multilateral work on laws. We remain committed to advancing shared understandings in the GGE on the responsible development and use of these systems.

Systems. The United States appreciates Czechia joining 10 other states in endorsing the draft articles on laws, and we encourage other states to endorse. We remain committed to this forum and call on all states to support the GGE as it works to fulfill its current mandate. Chair Effective conventional weapons governance requires sustained commitment and practical cooperation. The United States is proud to be a global leader for conventional weapons decision construction activities and calls on other states to increase their support for this vital work.

We remain committed to working together on concrete measures that enhance the security while protecting civilian populations. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [2:01:18]:

I thank the distinguished representative of the United States for her statement. I give now the floor to His Excellency, Permanent Representative of Netherlands to the Conference on this Disarmament. Chair in addition to the statement delivered by the European Union, I would like to make the following remarks in my national capacity. Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. In 2024, children accounted for 42% of casualties from cluster munition remnants.


Netherlands (Kingdom of the) · PR to CD [2:01:46]:

Similar figures exist for anti personnel landmines. The use of these weapons continues to have devastating humanitarian consequences, not only because of immediate casualties, but also because of the risk of long term contamination following their deployment. The Netherlands strongly condemns and discourages the use of cluster munitions and anti personnel landmines by any actor. Chair Let me recall that Russia's widespread and indiscriminate use of anti personnel landmines and cluster munitions in its war of aggression against Ukraine has not only resulted in grave humanitarian consequences, but also caused a serious negative impact on the global security environment. Against this background, the Netherlands regrets the withdrawal of several European countries from APBMC and ccm, while acknowledging the specific context in which these countries felt compelled to take this decision.

Chair in our view, the protection of civilians should remain at the heart of of our arms control efforts. We remain committed to both the APBMC and the CCM and we demonstrate this also through our financial support. Nearly $80 million for 2025, 2030 for demining operations across the globe. Chair While we recognize the opportunities and military necessity of autonomous capabilities, their development and use must be firmly founded in international humanitarian law and where the current legal framework does not suffice. Clear and technology agnostic measures are needed to safeguard the international legal order and to give industry the framework for responsible innovation.

In recognition of these challenges, the GGE on Laws has been mandated to consider and formulate by consensus a set of elements of an instrument without prejudging its nature. As Chair of the GGE, the Netherlands commends the high contracting parties of the CCW for their constructive involvement. With 2/3 of its mandate elapsed and two formal sessions remaining, including for preparing our report to the 2026 CCW Review Conference. Sustaining the momentum is essential and we remind all interested states not yet party to the CCW of the possibility to participate. Participate as an observer in the work of the Group and to attend the Briefing in room E at 1:15 today.

I thank you for giving me the floor.


1st Committee · Chair [2:04:14]:

Thank the distinguished representative of the Netherlands for his statement. I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of Switzerland.


Switzerland [2:04:24]:

Thank you, Chair. I'd like to highlight three points. First, contamination by mines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war constitutes a persistent threat to the lives and safety of civilian populations. We are deeply concerned about the recent withdrawals from the conventions on cluster munitions and personnel mines. We call on States concerned to reconsider their decisions and to fully comply with international humanitarian law.

Students continue to work towards their universalization and the promotion of the norms that they uphold. The risk to people and civilian objects are particularly high in populated areas. We call on all states to endorse and implement the political declaration of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. We look forward to continuing our work at the second follow up meeting next November. Second, Switzerland welcomes the adoption last June of the report from the preparatory meeting of the States on the Global Framework for for through life conventional ammunition management.

We're committed to supporting its implementation at the national and international level, notably through the Global Assistance Mechanism. It's essential that the General assembly allocate the necessary resources to UNODA to fulfill its mandate regarding the Global Framework. To inform the discussion of the 2027 states meeting, we invite all States to provide an initial implementation report in 2027. Third, it is urgent to make progress on the use of lethal issue of lethal autonomous weapon systems. GGE of the CCW dealing with these systems has made significant progress.

The rolling text contains a coherent and structured set of elements that already largely fulfills the Group's mandate and provides an appropriate basis for negotiations on a future instance. Switzerland underlines the support for launching negotiations following the completion of the GGE's mandate and considers the CCW to be the most appropriate forum for this purpose. We also consider it necessary to address the challenges posed by laws that go beyond IHL in the context of armed conflict requiring a more broad reflection on peace and security. Finally, we urge all cities CCW high contracting parties to fully comply with the Convention and its protocols. We hope that the upcoming Review Conference will provide an opportunity to consider the implementation and universalization of Protocol 3 on incendiary weapons, one of the Convention's original instruments.

Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [2:06:59]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Switzerland for her statement. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of South Africa.


South Africa [2:07:09]:

South Africa associates with the statement delivered by the Africa Group and the Non Aligned Movement Chairperson. Small arms and light weapons continue to fuel conflict and crime, often with catastrophic effects on civilian populations, including on women and children. Regionally, South Africa remained steadfast in making concrete progress on the implementation of the African American Union's Master Route Plan on silencing the Guns in Africa within the context of the AU Agenda 2063. South Africa reiterates the importance of addressing the challenges posed by lethal autonomous weapon systems within the framework of international law. We believe it imperative to confront the ethical, legal, moral and societal implications of these imaging technologies.

South Africa welcomes the poor progress made during the 2025 sessions of the Group of Governmental Experts on Laws. The rolling text serves as a good basis to advance discussions in line with the mandate to consider and formulate elements that will serve as a basis for the commencement of negotiations for a legal binding instrument. Chairperson South Africa was honored to preside over the preparatory meeting of States parties held from 23 to 2025 of June 2025 to explore possible options for the development of the process and modalities for the effective implementation for the Global Framework for Through Life Convention Ammunition Management. We are pleased that Member States agreed on the voluntary reporting template which they will use to provide an Initial overview in 2026 on the implementation of the Global Framework. We further welcome the call for international cooperation and assistance assistance including through the Fellowship Program.

South Africa reiterates its support for the outcome document of the Fourth UN Conference to review progress made in the implementation of the Program of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its aspects, held in June 2024. South Africa appreciates the support of States Parties for its Presidency for the 12th Conference on States Parties of the Arms trade treaty in 2026. We will seek to build on the work of previous presidencies, ensuring that CSP12 consolidates progress and reinforces the Treaty's enduring relevance, including to promote its universalization and effectiveness. Treaty universalization remains a core principle that promotes global regulation in the context of imports and and exports of conventional weapons. I thank you


1st Committee · Chair [2:09:50]:

I thank the distinguished Representative of South Africa for a statement.

I give now the floor to the Distinguished Representative of New Zealand.


New Zealand [2:09:59]:

Thank you, Chair. Further to the Cannes Statement on Conventional Weapons, we provide some remarks in our national capacity. We remain deeply concerned by the recent withdrawals from the Anti Personnel Minebank Convention and the Convention on Cluster Munitions by Poland, Latvia, Finland, Estonia and Lithuania. While these are sovereign decisions, we underline that these Conventions are integral parts of the international humanitarian law and disarmament architecture. They reduce human suffering and they offer explicit protections to civilians during and after Armed conflict.

As the global security environment deteriorates, we must reinforce the these commitments. We continue to condemn any use of cluster munitions or anti personnel mines and oppose developments that increase the likelihood of their use. We call for production, stockpiling and transfers of these weapons to cease. Chair Ukraine is the victim of an illegal act of aggression by Russia and is unequivocally entitled to defend itself. Nevertheless, New Zealand is deeply concerned, concerned by Ukraine's purported suspension of its operation of the Minebank Convention.

The Convention's obligations reflect a broader commitment that humanitarian protections must not be set aside when they are most needed. Any assertion that the Convention can be suspended during armed conflict is inconsistent with and risks undermining its humanitarian rationale and could have negative unintended consequences. On a positive note, we look forward to the third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Lao pdr. Like the CMREAP Angkor Act Summit last year in Cambodia, this meeting is a homecoming for the Convention where we will celebrate its successes and agree an action plan to continue progress. We also look forward to the Conference on the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas in Costa Rica next.

Next month we reiterate our call for States parties to the Arms Trade Treaty to fully comply with their obligations. We make the same call on CCW high contracting parties. In this context, we highlight the importance of multilateral discussion on incendiary weapons. Chair New Zealand is pleased to be a main sponsor of the resolution on autonomous weapon systems which highlights the important work of the CCD and supports its positive progress. New Zealand calls for effective multilateral rules and limits on autonomous weapon systems.

I thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of New Zealand. I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of Chile.


Chile [2:12:44]:

Mucha, Senor President. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. There is no doubt that the illicit trafficking of firearms, their parts, components and ammunition constitutes a threat to national, regional and international peace and security. The continued flow of illegal weapons to countries in conflict continues to fuel armed violence and perpetuates the violations of human rights against civilians with particularly harmful effects for boys, girls and women. As such, it's crucial to fight against intellectual architects and transnational criminal networks that fuel these crimes.

In this regard, my country attaches of decisive importance to the role that we as Member States of this organization play in terms of halting the illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons, eliminating the threat posed by improvised explosive devices and fostering transparency measures when it comes to weapons. In this vein, it is crucial to move forward with the traceability of weapons, their components and Specifically munitions. Their producers have a particular responsibility in that process that they must shoulder. Chair we condemn any use of cluster munitions in any location under any circumstances. Moreover, we reiterate that the use of anti personnel mines is unacceptable.

We appeal for support to the resolutions presented before the First Committee that allude to the implementation of the Ottawa and Oslo Conventions. We reiterate our concern at the possible weakening of these instruments given the possible withdrawal of some of their signatories. Chair as regards the treaty, the Arms Trade Treaty, we appeal for its balanced implementation in a transparent and comprehensive version in stringent compliance with the principles of the UN Charter. For its part, regarding the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, we believe it is of pivotal importance to achieve its universalization. As such, we urge states that have not acceded to that instrument to do so.

Chair to conclude, we wish to emphasize the fact that expeditious technological progress means that we must take timely action. The proliferation of automated weapons systems is a serious threat to security and the protection of civilians. Consequently, it is vital that we adopt effective measures to mitigate these risks. We underscore the invaluable work done and being done by the GGE on emerging technologies in the sphere of lethal autonomous weapon systems. We believe that it is vital to establish a biological legal mechanisms to regulate this issue in a realistic, efficient and effective way.

Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [2:15:29]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Chile for his statement. Give now the floor to the distinguished representative of Armenia.


Armenia [2:15:38]:

Mr. Chair. Effective functioning of conventional arms control regime is essential for maintenance of peace and security at international and regional levels. The international security architecture continues to bear the detrimental impacts of strategic instability, erosion of arms control mechanisms and weaponization of newly emerging domains. The unwavering commitment towards arms control and disarmament remains as crucial as ever.

Mr. Chair. Armenia advocates for the responsible transfer of arms. Since weapons must never be allowed to contribute to violations of international humanitarian law or international humanitarian human rights law, as well as to be used in ways that deliberately harm civilian population. By upholding rigorous irrational standards, states demonstrate their commitment to the highest ethical and legal practices, strengthening the credibility of the inferential system and reinforcing the principle that the protection of human life and dignity must guide security policy.

Preventing the diversion of weapons to non state actors such as terrorists or criminal groups, is not only a humanitarian necessity, but also a matter of national and global security. Each transfer decision must be supported by rigorous risk assessment so that arms do not fall into the hands of those who would use them to threaten international peace. It is in this spirit that Armenia places explicit importance on the necessity of ensuring responsible transfer of laws which are distinct from traditional arms at a time when there is no irrational instrument regulating this domain and when consensus on the scope of restrictions yet to be achieved, States must exercise utmost due diligence when authorizing transfer of such systems. We continue closely following the discussions within the group of governmental experts on laws under the CCW and we recognize that the Group has already achieved tangible progress in this regard. Armenia fully supports a two tiered approach according to which lethal autonomous weapon systems that are inherently indiscriminate and cannot be employed in compliance with international humanitarian law must be prohibited, while additional measures should be developed to ensure that the potential use of these systems is brought firmly into the line with the requirements of ihl.

At the same time, we are concerned that the issue of the transfer of such systems has not yet been fully addressed within the group. That said, Mr. Chair, Armenia will continue its constructive engagements with like minded States to address the complex challenges associated with the transfer of laws in relevant international fora. We believe that only through inclusive dialogue, cooperation and adherence to the principles of international law can the international community ensure the development, acquisition and transfer of such system do not undermine international peace and security. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [2:18:22]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Armenia giving of the floor to the distinguished Representative Representative of Portugal Chair the proliferation of conventional weapons is one of the most pressing issues we are all facing today as armed conflicts multiply and grow ever more complex, not only between States but also increasingly with non state actor involvement. As digital technology including 3D printing, AI, UAVs and autonomous systems grow ever more sophisticated but also more accessible. As illicit weapons trade remains a threat, as disrespect for international law and attacks on civilians become more common, the multilateral disarmament agenda must recenter its attention and adopt a firmer stance towards the issue of conventional weapons. Hard law such as the CCW and its protocols, the ccm, the ATT or the Ottawa Convention, coupled with soft law instruments such as the EWIPA Declaration, the UNPOA on sol, the GFA or the Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of AI, as well as with mechanisms such as UNROKA already form a robust architecture. The normative framework can be strengthened even further, namely through the adoption of a legally binding instrument on laws as recommended by the Secretary General.


Portugal [2:20:01]:

We hope that the work of the GGE can enshrine a two tier approach, on the one hand prohibiting systems which cannot be used in compliance with ihl, on the other regulating those that can, namely by ensuring human control. However, the focus cannot just be on normative work, but also on addressing the implementation gap. Implementation does not only require political will and accountability when violations occur, but also greater cooperation. This cooperation should go beyond state to state. It should include a variety of other public and private stakeholders, including commercial actors and civil society at the local, national and regional levels.

Instruments such as unscar, to which Portugal is a traditional contributor, or measures such as the designation of national firearms focal points can contribute to such efforts. To conclude, while the normative framework is strong, it can be further strengthened, but our attention should also be on implementation. Only through multilateral diplomacy can we achieve concrete and tangible outcomes. Thank you very much.


1st Committee · Chair [2:21:27]:

I thank the representative of Portugal for his statement.

I give now the floor to His Excellency, Permanent Representative of Mozambique.


Mozambique · Permanent Representative [2:21:43]:

Thank you. Chair Chair Mozambique aligned itself with the statement by the Afghan Group and the Non Aligned Movement Chair this year Mozambique marks 10 years since being declared landmine free, a national achievement built upon global solidarity and a reminder of the enduring human cost of conventional weapons. The scar of that period remain a daily lesson that the consequence of landmines, class ammunitions and explosive remnants of war persist long after peace is declared, hampering recovery and development. The misuse and illegit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, as well as the proliferation of low costs improvised and commercially adapted weapon technologies continue to threaten peace, security and development in Africa. Mozambique is deeply concerned that while the cost of production and trafficking of such weapons remain low, the cost of their destruction, recovery and rehabilitation is prohibitively high, particularly for developing countries.

Disarmament, therefore, is not only a security goal, it is a development imperative. Chair Mozambique reform its full commitment to the United Nations Program of Action and International Tracing Instrument to prevent, combat and eradicate elite trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects. We strongly support establishment of a UN Fellowship program on small arms and light weapons for developing countries, a capacity building mechanism the African Group has long championed. Mozambique also encouraged close complementarity between global frameworks such as the POA and ITI and regional initiatives including CEDC Protocol, the NAIROB and Bamako Declaration and Slicing the Guns in Africa Initiative. Chair we're witnessing a dangerous convergence between conventional web and emerging technology including autonomous system, armored drones and artificial intelligence enabled target.

These low cost innovation, magnify lethality and accessibility while escaping traditional arm control regimes. Mozambique supports renewed global dialogue on the implication of this technology and the need to preserve human control and accountability of all user force. Finally, Chair Mozambique graduates its unwavering commitment to all international agreed instruments on conventional arms control and we remain firmly committed to the advancement of disarmament agenda. Thank you, Chair. I thank the Ambassador of Mozambique for his statement.


1st Committee · Chair [2:24:17]:

I give now the floor to His Excellency, the Permanent representative of of lithuania.


Lithuania · Permanent Representative [2:24:23]:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Lithuania aligns itself with a statement delivered by the European Union and wishes to add the following remarks in its national capacity. Mr. Chair, Russia's illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine has ruined the European security architecture. Against the backdrop of Russia's war incursion, undermining law and customs of war, Russia's neighboring states must ensure that their defense and deterrence remain strong and credible.

In this context, Lithuania has made the sovereign decision to withdraw from the Anti Personnel Mine ban Convention on 27 June 2025. We notified the depository of our decision earlier this year. On 6th of March 2025, our withdrawal from the Convention on Cluster Munitions took effect. Effect? Let me be very clear.

These decisions stem from the difficult but necessary recognition that the regional security environment has deteriorated and that Lithuania must preserve the means to defend itself against the threat from Russia. Our withdrawals from the Ottawa and Oslo Conventions do not diminish Lithuania's unwavering commitment to the international humanitarian law. We will continue to to implement all our obligations, including those under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and its amended Protocol 2 and Protocol 5. Lithuania remains committed to taking all feasible precautions to protect civilians and to maintain transparency in all matters concerning conventional arms. Mr. Chairman, Lithuania's approach to conventional weapons is guided by the necessity to ensure national defense.

We reject indiscriminate warfare. Our armed forces are trained and equipped to uphold international law to defend, not to destroy, to protect civilian life, not to endanger it. We continue to support the humanitarian objectives of Ottawa and Oslo Conventions. Lithuania contributes actively to humanitarian action including mine clearance. Together with Iceland, we co lead the Demining Capability Coalition for Ukraine.

A tangible demonstration of our international solidarity and humanitarian responsibility. Mr. Chairman, International Peace and security are being reshaped by the rapid technological change. Therefore, Lithuania is committed to this work. Under the group of government experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems. We look forward to concrete balanced outcomes of laws within the CCW which strengthen global security and stability.

Thank you, Chair.


Chair [2:27:06]:

Thank the Ambassador of Lithuania for his statement. I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of Fiji.


Fiji [2:27:16]:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, Fiji is deeply committed to multilateralism, sustainable development and human security. With this we align with the joint statement delivered by Solomon Islands on behalf of the Mine Ben Treaty Party in the Pacific. As a nation, we have taken steps to preserve peace internationally and through our UN peacekeeping obligations for more than four decades. As a troop contributing country, Fiji has long championed nonviolence and conflict prevention in our military doctrine and in practice in our region.

We have progressed further this year to adopt the Pacific Leaders declaration recognizing the Pacific as the ocean of peace. As a moral pathway to preserve peace is the prohibition of conventional weapons within our borders. Fiji believes that we cannot have one kind of disarmament without the other. The threat and risk posed by conventional weapons are higher and similar to nuclear other weapons of mass destruction. It is our duty to see the reduction in these threats and risks.

Conventional weapons are in relatively wide use, are easier to procure and cause comparatively more human suffering than other weapons known to us. In this regard, we are concerned with the countries who have withdrawn from our mind bent treaty cognizant though of their sovereign decisions. We hope this won't set the trend for other state parties. Fiji firmly believes that conventional arms control is about making people feel safe and secure by helping to reduce tensions and threats while building confidence and trust. In this connection, Fiji believes that the same level of attention given to biological, chemical and nuclear weapons must also be applied to conventional weapons.

As a small island developing state, Fiji is vulnerable to the challenge of illicit trade in small arms and light weapons that are even accompanied by illicit drug flows. Unfortunately, in many circumstances we don't have sufficient resources to combat these activities. It is only through global partnership can we secure a sustainable peaceful future for all. We need concerted efforts and political will at the national, regional, international levels to prevent combat and eradicate the illicit manufacture, transfer and circulation of small arms and light weapons. To conclude, we encourage Member States to adopt transparent measures with respect to stockpiling collecting of conventional weapons as part of our duty to cooperate.

Fiji is committed to the Mine Band Treaty conventional cluster ammunitions natt and pleads with Member States to join the conventions and treaties in relation to conventional weapons for the purpose of achieving peace and inclusive societies for all. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [2:30:04]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Fiji for his statement. I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of China.


China [2:30:15]:

Mr. Chair. The indiscriminate use and illicit transfer of conventional weapons exacerbate regional tensions and social turmoil raising humanitarian concerns. China firmly supports the conventional arms control process. China strictly fulfills its obligations under the CCW and the ATT, among other international legal instruments on conventional arms control and participates actively in the work of the POA on SALW and Aroka gge.

China has always been prudent and responsible in arms export through The Peace and Security Sub Fund of the China UN Peace and Development Trust Fund. China supports the implementation of a new agenda for Peace and Silencing the Guns in Africa Initiative. China also carries out International Humanitarian Demining Corporation through in kind assistance, personnel, training field dispatch of experts and actively implements the action for a minute Mind Free Africa to help affected countries and regions achieve security, stability and sustainable development. Mr. Chair, countries should exercise restraint in developing artificial intelligence weapon system and ensure the use of AI in the military domain complies with ihl.

All parties should, through dialogue and cooperation seek common ground on regulating the use of AI in the military domain. The CCW is the most appropriate forum for discussing lethal autonomous weapons system. China supports negotiating and concluding an international legally binding instrument under ripe conditions prior to which we need to agree on, inter alia the working characterizations and scope of regulation. China welcomes the substantive discussions and progress made within the GGE on laws with positive progress made with within the GGE. Mr.

Chair, China will continue to participate actively in the process of conventional arms control to this end which is to propose first, upholding sovereign equality and practicing multilateralism which should support the UN's role as the main channel and build synergy and complementarity among relevant mechanisms. Second, adhering to international rule of law and strengthening national responsibility, we should strike a balance between the legitimate military security needs and humanitarian concerns. Encourage countries to enhance their management and control of conventional weapons covering all aspects and stages. We welcome more countries to join the high level initiative on the ihl. Third, advocating a people's centered and action oriented approach, we should support countries efforts in pragmatic international cooperation, more information and experience sharing and even greater support in terms of material assistance, technology transfer and capacity building.

I thank you, Mr. Chair.


Chair [2:33:15]:

I thank the distinguished representative of China for her statement. I give now the floor to the distinguished representative of Canada.


Canada [2:33:24]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Canada remains deeply concerned by the erosion of the global disarmament framework. This erosion is exacerbated by Russia's threatening behavior which poses serious risks to regional and global security and undermines disarmament, non proliferation and arms control norms. To counter this trend and to prevent harm to civilians, governments must work together to strengthen efforts to prevent the illicit transfer, power possession and proliferation of conventional weapons.

Canada recognizes the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons as a significant threat to international security and human rights with differentiated impacts on women, men, girls and boys. We continue to advocate for a gender responsive approach to addressing these weapons including through the UN Program of Action and we look forward to next year's Meeting of States Canada is an active party to the Arms Trade Treaty which represents a an essential international norm including its unique attention to gender based violence. States Parties must ensure the ATT's sustainability to meet our shared goals of reducing human suffering and contributing to peace, security and stability. Canada supports the UK led initiative to develop a five year strategic plan to coordinate implementation efforts in this regard. Mr.

Chair, Canada remains committed to eradicating anti personnel minds and cluster munitions given their devastating humanitarian impacts. Regrettably, we have witnessed withdrawals from the Convention for the first time. Decisions we attribute to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine and its threatening behavior toward other neighboring States. We urge all states to uphold IHL and to support the Ottawa Convention and the Convention on Cluster Munitions. We congratulate the Lao PDR on presiding over next year's CCM 3rd review conference difference in this regard.

Canada remains concerned by procedural blockages in the CCW which hinders progress in a critical instrument to address weapons with severe humanitarian impacts. We strongly encourage observer participation and believe discussions should expand to include Protocol 3 on incendiary weapons.

Mr. Chair, we thank Norway, Ireland and Costa Rica for their action to promote promote the political declaration on EWIPA and we eagerly await the continuation of discussions in San Jose. The protection of civilians remains at the heart of Canada's commitment to disarmament. Our country welcomes the progress that has been made as part of the GGE mandate. On salve.

We commend what was done by the Dutch Presidency. Their guidance on on discussions have been focused on convention on consensus. All weapons used in armed conflict, including salves, are weapons where we emphasize that international law must be upheld. The statement's context will be available online. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [2:36:23]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Canada for your statement. I shall now call on delegations who have requested the right of reply. May I remind members that statement in the exercise of right of reply are limited to four and a half minutes for the first intervention and two and a half minutes for the second intervention. I first call on the representative of the United Kingdom to take the floor.


United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [2:36:50]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The UK wishes to respond to comments made by the Russian Federation and it its right of reply yesterday. The UK wishes to reiterate that it acts entirely consistently with the international obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. We regard Russia's comments as just the latest unfortunate attempt to obfuscate and distract from its own violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [2:37:18]:

I thank the representative of United Kingdom Kingdom for her intervention. I give now the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation, Distinguished Chair of the Russian Federation rejects all accusations against it as unfounded and divorced from reality. Our country fully implements its obligations under international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their protocols as well as the Conventions on Certain Conventional Weapons and its Protocols. At the same time, within the framework of the Special Military Operation in Ukraine, we have discovered many violations of IHR norms and principles by the Kyiv regime. Units of Ukrainian armed forces are mining territories of the Russian Federation to significantly damage civilian infrastructure and to harm the civilian population.


Russian Federation [2:38:07]:

To this end, Kyiv deliberately uses inhumane types of weapons including mines, booby traps and IEDs. Kyiv uses Blast type antipersonnel mines and directional fragmentation antipersonnel mines, including foreign made mines such as the directional fragmentation antipersonnel mine M18A1 Claymore and the Halstorm Mini. This directly violates the provisions of the amended Protocol 2 to the CCW, which prohibits the use of anti personnel mines without self destruction and self deactivation mechanisms. The use of anti personnel mines by the UAF also violates the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti Personnel Mines and on their destruction. Ukraine announced its withdrawal from this convention on June 29, 2025.

However, under this Convention, for a state party that is involved in an armed conflict, withdrawal from the Convention takes effect only after the end of this conflict. In addition, Ukraine has not fulfilled its obligations under the Mine Ban Convention even before this decision. According to that Convention, Ukraine was required to destroy all stockpiles of interpersonnel binds by 2010, except for a minimal quantity needed for mine detection, training and development, but it failed to do so. We are especially concerned about the widespread use of IEDs by the Kiev regime. These IEDs resemble anti personnel mines.

There's a systematic use of IEDs against Russian civilians and officials, including during terrorist attacks orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services on Russian territory. It's also known that the Ukrainian armed forces have placed many booby traps in public areas that are disguised as civilian objects, including books, mobile phones, bags, wallets, children's toys, clocks, religious icons, chainsaws, and these fall under the definition Article 2 of AP2 to the CCW. We also note the continued practice of using booby training traps and other devices connected to deceased civilians and Ukrainian soldiers, as well as burial sites. The use of such booby traps is prohibited under Article 7 of amended Protocol 2 to the CCW. The large scale supply of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine by EU and NATO member states systematically violates their international legal and political obligations under unroka.

The UNPOA to prevent combat and eradicate the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons. The Arms Trade treaty and the EU's common position establishing rules for the control of military technology and equipment export. Specifically provisions prohibiting the transfer of conventional arms and ammunition when there is credible evidence that such military assets will be used to to commit acts of genocide. Crimes against humanity. Serious Violations of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, attacks against civilian facilities and other war crimes have been flouted.

The direct ban on issuing export licenses for weapons that would contribute to the outbreak or the escalation of armed conflicts in the recipient country is also being violated. Thank you for your attention.


1st Committee · Chair [2:41:49]:

I thank the representative of the Russian Federation for his intervention. I give now the floor to the representative of Israel.


Israel [2:41:58]:

Thank you. Chair. This is a brief reaction to the statement made earlier by NAM in this cluster. We're compelled to remind NAM of the ceasefire agreement reached earlier this month under the leadership of President Trump, which by the way, some members of NAM were actually involved in. So frankly, the statement heard today seems somewhat detached from reality.

Just mention that these statements are not just false but are harmful to peaceful efforts and we urge them to remember that. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [2:42:39]:

I thank the representative of Israel for his statement and give now the floor to the representative of Finland.


Finland [2:42:52]:

Mr. Sorry, Mr. Chair. Finland has.

Finland has formally notified its withdrawal from the anti Personal Mine Ban Convention in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Convention. The withdrawal will take effect on 10 January next year. The decision to withdraw from the Convention is based on Finland's defence needs in a deteriorated security environment. Finland has 1300km long border with Russia which is not party to the Ottawa Convention. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has demonstrated full disregard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states.

Russia has blatantly violated the UN Charter and breached the European Rules based security order. The withdrawal from the Convention enables Finland to reintroduce the anti personal mine system to its means of defence. FINA will not deploy mines during times of peace. All anti prison mines will be stored. Training and exercises being the only exceptions on this.

Mines are defensive tools for Finland. The withdrawal will not affect Finland's other obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, which will continue to be respected. Finland continues to support the humanitarian objectives of the Convention and remains committed to the humanitarian mine action. Finland has supported humanitarian mine action with €125 million since 1991. Provisionally there are €15 million budgeted for humanitarian mine action for the years 2026, 2030.

Humanitarian mine action will continue to be an important part of Finland's international engagement. Thank you.


Chair [2:44:48]:

Thank the representative of Finland for his intervention. Again now the floor to the representative of Ukraine.


Ukraine [2:44:57]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Our delegation would like to exercise the right of reply to the statement made by the delegation of the Russian Federation regarding so called Ukraine's withdrawal from the Anti Personnel Mine Bank Convention as well as. First of all, we would like to categorically reject all allegations of violations of Ukraine of international humanitarian law. And we would also like to clarify our position with regard to the Ottawa Convention in the context of countering the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

A key priority of our state remains strengthening its defense capabilities and protecting civilians from Russian occupation and its atrocities. Ukraine has repeatedly informed the international community that the Russian Federation, which is not a party to the Ottawa Convention widely uses anti personnel mines as a method of warfare in the course of its war of aggression against Ukraine. We have recorded more than 4,000 cases of use of Russia of this types of weapons. In 2016 and 2018. Ukraine officially informed the Secretary General of the United nations as the depository of the Ottawa Convention that it had begun to discover large quantities of anti personnel mines in the territories previously occupied by Russia.

By fulfilling its international obligations, including those under the Anti Personnel Ban Mine Convention, Ukraine has found itself itself in an equal and unjust situation being constrained in its military response to the aggression of the Russian Federation. Such situation limits Ukraine's sovereign right to self defense as provided for in Article 51 of the UN Charter. Ukraine is not only the country facing a difficult choice between compliance with its obligations under the Ottawa Convention and the need to effectively defend itself is a brutal aggression that disregards all norms of international law, including the UN Charter. We would like to emphasize that since the signing and ratification of the Ottawa Convention by Ukraine the regional security environment has deteriorated dramatically. This represents a fundamental change in the security circumstances.

By launching its full scale aggression Against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Russia has openly demonstrated is that it does not respect the territorial borders of Soviet states or international law, including the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. The armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine has resulted and continues to result in the mass loss of life as well as the destruction of Ukrainian cities, communities and critical infrastructure. This situation was neither foreseen nor could have been foreseen by Ukraine at the time of signing and ratification of the Ottawa Convention. Under international law, this constitutes a fundamental change of circumstances. Therefore, the legal basis for Ukraine's suspension of the Operation of the Ottawa Convention lies in Article 62, the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.

So we categorically reject the incorrect use of by Russian delegation of the legal terminology. This is suspension of the operation of the Ottoman Convention for Ukraine and not Ukraine's withdrawal. So we also would like to draw attention to the massive violations of international humanitarian law by the Russian Federation. In addition to the use of anti personnel mines, Russia are using at a large scale cluster munitions during its aggression against Ukraine. Russian occupying forces regularly launch missile and bomb strikes against Ukraine's defense forces and civilians using multiple launch rocket systems such as Smersh Grad, Oragan, Tochkayu as well as air drop bombs equipped with cluster munitions.

Among the numerous documented cases, some stand out for their particular brutality. The killing of 322 people and injury of 31 in Chernihiv in 2022 following an MLRS Uragan strike. The attack on Krama Turks in 2022 with Tochka U cluster missile that hit the railway station during the evacuation of civilians resulting in 54 killed and 100.


1st Committee · Chair [2:49:29]:

I thank Representative of Ukraine for his intervention. I now call on the representative of the Russian Federation for the second intervention.


Russian Federation [2:49:42]:

Distinguished Chair, we're forced to take the floor again to respond to the false statements made against us by the Ukrainian delegation. We refute all of these unfounded accusations against us and once again repeat that our country fully implements all of its obligations under international humanitarian law. We also would like to say that justifying the actions of the Russian Federation through its own actions has been a tradition for Ukraine. But this is not in keeping with international law and does not give it any justification for doing whatever it wants with any reference to the actions by the Russian Federation. I'd like to say as well that in and of itself, the Mine Ban Convention does not allow for any suspension of effect.

This Convention says that withdrawal from said Convention in accordance with its provisions for States Parties that are involved in an active armed conflict, that they can only withdraw after the end of the aforementioned armed conflict. There is no suspension of activity possible during this conflict. That's what stated in the Convention. In addition, even if we are talking about implementation of the Ottawa Convention, we haven't heard an answer to our question. What prevented the Kyiv regime from implementing its obligations under this Kiev Convention before their decision to withdraw?

What prevented them from implementing in 2007 their obligations regarding destroying all the stockpiles of anti personnel mines? There's no answer to that question. Thank you.


Chair [2:51:37]:

I thank the representative of the Russian Federation for his intervention I give now the floor to the representative of the Islamic Republic of IRAN


Iran (Islamic Republic of) [2:51:47]:

thank you Mr. Chair with regard to the reference made by the representative of the Israeli regime to the statement of the Non Aligned Movement of which my country is a proud member I must state the following the agreement mentioned by the representative of the Israeli regime does nothing to absorb the regime's heinous crimes over the past two years in Gaza and throughout the our region no agreement can wash away the blood of the thousands of innocent civilians they have slaughtered the world and the entire Non Aligned Movement will not forget these crimes A truth poverty reflected in Nam's collective statement I thank you Mr. Chair


Chair [2:52:31]:

I thank the representative of Iran for his intervention Distinguished delegates we have exhausted the time available for this meeting the committee will reconvene tomorrow morning in this conference room to continue the thematic discussion under the cluster on conventional weapons the meeting is adjourned Good to see you, Ambassador.