First Committee, 8th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 80th session

The 80th meeting of the Disarmament and International Security Committee of the 80th session of the General Assembly is called to order. The 80th meeting of the Disarmament and International Security Committee, of the 80th session of the General Assembly is called to Distinguished delegates, the Committee will continue this afternoon with its General Debate on all disarmament and international security agenda items allocated to it. We will now turn to our list of speakers for today, and I urge all delegations taking the floor to kindly keep in mind the suggested time limit for statements. I will now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Honduras.

A very good afternoon, Madam Chair. Congratulations on your appointment to chair the first committee in this, the 80th session of the General Assembly. We'd also like to congratulate the other members of the Bureau on their election. Honduras would like to begin by paying tribute to the support provided by UNODC UNLIREC and the Committee 1540 of the Security Council for their help in the implementation of weapons control policies and disarmament policies in my country. Distinguished colleagues, as we mark 80 years of the United Nations, we need to carefully consider what new and emerging technologies entail and how we need to behave with them. The complex dilemma created by technological evolution should be part and part of our deliberations here. The dual nature of new and emerging technologies presents both opportunities and risks for disarmament and non-proliferation efforts. The use of AI offers major opportunities in areas such as conflict prevention, peacebuilding, responding to and predicting disasters, cyber security and so on. But technological progress also improves weapons of war, as well as autonomous weapons systems, and this therefore deepens the potential for escalation in conflicts. That's why we must ensure that the disarmament agenda remains at the heart of our efforts at the UN. My country has a great deal of tradition in promoting disarmament and non-proliferation. These matters are of the highest priority in our foreign policy, and as such, they should be part of the UN's agenda as well because they are critical components of the maintenance of international peace and security. Madam Chair, We are committed to continue promoting general complete nuclear disarmament and we support any measure that promotes the complete elimination of nuclear weapons, including the principles of transparency, irreversibility and verification. We believe that the NPT is the cornerstone of the disarmament and non-proliferation regime. It is critical to achieve nuclear disarmament and international peace and security. We reaffirm our commitment to the NPT and the full implementation of its three pillars. We nevertheless reaffirm the inalienable right for states to develop the research, production, and peaceful use of nuclear energy without discrimination and pursuance to NPT articles one, two, three, and four. The effective implementation of the NPT nevertheless requires negotiating a treaty that prohibits the production of fissile material. We also need to ensure the entry into force of the treaty for the CTBT. Honduras welcomes the three meetings of states parties to the TNPW rather. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons has joined the NPT in Latin America and the Caribbean, which is our regional treaty, which is the Treaty. We are convinced that the elimination of biological and chemical weapons is a priority also in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation. We stress the importance of universalization. That is to say, all states need to join the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the Convention on the Prohibition of Biological Weapons as well. There needs to be full implementation of all of their provisions and requirements by all states parties. Madam Chair, we recognize that the manufacture, transfer, deviation, and illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, as well as ammunition, and their circulation and distribution in an uncontrolled way has a wide range of humanitarian, social, economic consequences and it raises serious threats to peace, security, stability and development. We therefore look forward to the first meeting of states in the global framework for the management of conventional ammunition throughout their life cycle, which will be held in 2027. We reiterate our commitment to the Programme of Action to Prevent Combat and Eliminate the Illicit Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons in all of their aspects, the POA. We will continue working for the full implementation of the POA and also the International Tracing Instrument, promoting the implementation of controls to reduce and eradicate the scourge of the deviation and illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. We also believe that the Arms Trade Treaty helps to respond to the serious consequences of unregulated trade in weapons, particularly when they are diverted into the hands of non-state actors or unauthorized users. Madam President, we believe that the issue of anti-personnel mines needs to continue to occupy the international community's attention, particularly as a result of their potential humanitarian effects. We underscore the importance of cooperation in this domain. We share the common desire to promote and extend the use of outer space for peaceful purposes only, for the benefit and interest of all states, regardless of their stage of economic, social and scientific development. An arms race in outer space and the placement or use of weapons in space is a major threat to international peace and security. We therefore support negotiations on a treaty on the prevention of an arms race in the outer space. Until that happens, we need to have international measures for transparency and confidence building measures when it comes to activities in outer space. That is what is needed in the meantime. In terms of cybersecurity, my country believes that we need to ensure a fluid transition towards the UN global mechanism on the progress made in the area of ICTs in the context of international security and promoting states responsible behavior in the use of ICTs. And we stress the need to achieve consensus within the framework of this mechanism. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Honduras for his statement. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Slovakia.

Thank you, Madam President. Let me congratulate you on assuming the chairmanship of this committee. Slovakia fully supports you in discharging Your duties and aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union. Distinguished colleagues, since the last year session, the state of international security has deteriorated further. Goals of disarmament and non-proliferation, as well as norm of international law, are under pressure from unilateral actions and the use of force. Our neighbor Ukraine continues to suffer from the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation, a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter. Russia's irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, threats to the safety of Ukrainian nuclear facilities, and the announced deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus are unacceptable. Slovakia joins others in calling on Russia to cease its aggression and reiterates full solidarity with Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Colleagues, recent developments in Gaza and the Middle East offers new hope for peace. Slovakia supports a sustainable two-state solution and calls on all parties to refrain from actions undermining its viability. Conflicts and rivalries are also intensifying in other regions, including in outer space and cyberspace. The global arms control system is eroding, disarmament for a remain paralyzed, and international institutions are being challenged. We must use all available tools to reverse its dangerous, this dangerous trends. Nuclear issues. With the expiry of the New START Treaty in February 2026, strategic stability is at risk. We urge Russia to return to full compliance and call on both parties to continue implementing the treaty's limits until a successor agreement is reached. China should also engage in transparent and verifiable arms control dialogue. The next NPT review conference will be a crucial milestone. Slovakia continues to advocate for the entry into force of the CTBT and the start of negotiations on a fissile material cut-off treaty. We urge all remaining Annex II states to sign and ratify the CTBT without delay. Russia's revocation of its ratification represents a regrettable setback. The EIAI plays a vital role in the hub holding the NPT. Slovakia comments the agency's independent work, especially in Ukraine and Iran, and calls on Iran to fully cooperate and fulfill its safeguards obligation. We remain deeply concerned about the nuclear and ballistic missile program of DPRK and urge it to engage in constructive dialogue towards complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Chemical and biological weapons. Slovakia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and the global norm against chemical weapons. We are deeply concerned by reports of the use of riot control agents and the choking agent chloropicrin by Russia forces in Ukraine in clear violation of the CWC. We welcome indications of renewed cooperation between the OPCW and new Syrian authorities. Slovakia is running for the OPC Executive Council for 2026-28. Our goal is to strengthen the organization, ensure full compliance with the CWC and support its vital work, including in Ukraine and Syria. Slovakia also supports the Biological Weapons Convention and the work of its Working Group on Strengthening the Convention, hoping for concrete outcomes from its deliberations. Outer space must remain peaceful and used for the benefit of the humankind. We support the open-ended working group on PAROS and hope it will achieve new common understandings to prevent an arms race in space. In cyberspace, Slovakia welcomes the successful conclusion of OEWG on ICT and the consensus adoption of its final report. We support establishing a permanent UN mechanism to ensure progress in this strategic domain. Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, require urgent attention. Slovakia supports ongoing discussion, including within the CCW framework on lethal autonomous weapon systems. In the area of conventional weapons and disarmament machinery, the illicit trade and misuse of small arms and light weapons continue to fuel conflict and threaten civilians. We welcome the outcome of the fourth review conference of the UN Programme of Action on SLAV and its new implementation plan for 2020-2030. Slovakia remains a strong supporter of the Ottawa Convention and Convention on Cluster Munitions and calls on all states not yet party to join both treaties. Finally, the disarmament machinery must be revitalized. We cannot accept the continued exclusion of some member states from the Conference on Disarmament. Inclusivity is essential. We encourage active participation by regional organizations, academia, civil society and industry in all disarmament forum. Madam Chair, Slovakia remains strongly committed to the multilateralism and to preserving the integrity of the global disarmament and non-proliferation architecture. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Slovenia for his statement. And he's Slovakia. I'm sorry. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bulgaria.

Madam Chair, at the outset, allow me to congratulate you on the assumption of the chairmanship of first committee. I assure you of my delegation's full support. Bulgaria aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and would like to highlight several remarks in its national capacity. Madam Chair, it is deeply concerning that once again we convene our deliberations under a seriously deteriorating security environment marked by heightened geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts raging in Europe, Middle East and Africa, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. A glimmer of hope is the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas and the execution of the first phase of the Gaza peace plan. We commend President Trump's leadership in this complex process and the mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, emphasizing that diplomacy is the only way towards a lasting peace. We call on all parties to fully implement the plan without delay. Against this backdrop, Russia continues its unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine. in total disregard from the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and the international law. We firmly condemn this brutal invasion and any support by third countries, notably Belarus, Iran, and the DPRK, that enable Russia to continue its war. We further condemn Russia's irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and its threats to use nuclear force. which are escalatory and provocative and undermine the global non-proliferation and disarmament architecture. We urge Russia to cease this aggression, respect international commitments, and withdraw all military forces from Ukraine's internationally recognized borders. Madam Chair, at this critical juncture for the collective security system and multilateralism as a whole, A tangible progress in the nuclear disarmament and a robust non-proliferation regime are more needed than ever. Bulgaria reaffirms its commitment to achieving a world free from nuclear weapons. We believe that the nuclear disarmament must be effective, verifiable and irreversible, and that it can be attained only within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, especially its Article 6, for a step-by-step approach grounded in mutual trust and with due consideration to the security environment. It is regrettable that the third NPT Preparatory Committee was unable to agree on a final report and lay a solid ground for the successful outcome of the review conference next year. However, we must spare no efforts to bridge differences among NPT States Parties during the final stage of this review cycle and to recommit our obligations across all three pillars of the NPT, thus strengthening the regime that has been contributing to our collective security for more than five decades. A key element of the step-by-step approach is the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which Bulgaria, as an Annex II state, firmly supports. Russia's decision to revoke its ratification of the CTBT is deeply deplorable, as it distances the prospect for the treaty's entry into force. We call on Russia to re-ratify the CTBT and to stick to its commitments. We also call upon all states to fully observe the de facto moratorium on nuclear tests and to refrain from any action incompatible with the treaty. Likewise, we urge the DPRK to return to full compliance with all its NPT and IAEA safeguards obligations as a non-nuclear weapons state, to immediately and with no preconditions sign and ratify the CTBT, and to engage in meaningful dialogue aimed at pursuing the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Concerned by the serious proliferation risks stemming from Iran's nuclear program, Bulgaria supports all diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a viable solution to the Iranian nuclear dossier that could guarantee that Iran would never acquire nuclear weapons. We urge Iran to resume its full and meaningful cooperation with the IAEA and to return in good faith to the negotiation table. Madam Chair, Bulgaria remains committed to the promotion and strengthening of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention as powerful key international instruments legally prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling and use of such weapons and indispensable elements of the global arms control and non-proliferation architecture. We, as international community, must ensure that there is no impunity for their use and that all perpetrators are brought to justice. Chair, Russia's continuous military aggression against Ukraine has demonstrated that progress in conventional arms control is of paramount importance for the international security and the protection of civilians in armed conflicts. We remain committed to upholding the principles and the objectives of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons as an effective multilateral platform for responding to present and future challenges emanating from the developments of weapons technologies, including the lethal autonomous weapon systems. As Chair of the 2025 meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention, Bulgaria is proud to present this year's resolution entitled Convention on Prohibition or Restrictions of the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects. We count on the Member States' support for preserving the consensual nature of this important resolution. In conclusion, Chair, and in the context of UNAT, let me reiterate our commitment to continue to work on improving and modernizing the disarmament machinery in order to make it deliver in a more efficient and effective way. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Bulgaria, and also apologies for the former representative of Slovakia. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sudan.

Thank you, Chair. At the outset, I wish to extend my sincere congratulations to you and to the Chair and the other members of the Bureau on your election for the first committee in its 80th session. My delegation assures you of its full support as you guide us in these important deliberations. Sudan aligns itself with the statements delivered by the Non-Aligned Movement, Africa Group and Arab Group respectively. We meet at a time when the foundations of global peace and security face unprecedented strain. Military expenditures have reached an exceptional $2.7 billion, reflecting a concerning trend for the future. This escalation highlights significant challenges ahead and emphasizes the urgent need for effective action. The threat posed by nuclear weapons remains paramount. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, with its three interrelated pillars, nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and the peaceful uses of energy, serves as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. and it's fundamental to advancing nuclear disarmament. And as the review conference approaches next year, we anticipate transparent and productive discussions that will lead to a consensual outcome preserving the treaty's credibility. It's deeply concerning to observe the weakening of international disarmament and non-proliferation frameworks. Complete nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation offers the only comprehensive assurance against both the use and threat of nuclear weapons. Deterrence and strategic stability don't provide equivalent protection. We urge all nuclear states to fulfill their obligations under Article VI of the NPT and to undertake concrete actions towards nuclear disarmament. My delegation considers multilateralism not only as a preferred approach, but as a foundational principle and a sole viable mechanism for achieving our objectives. In this context, we support the immediate commencement of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament for a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons and addressing existing stockpiles. Similarly, the treaty, the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty is of utmost importance. We call upon all remaining Annex II States to sign and ratify it without further delay. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons marks a historic milestone complementing other instruments for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Sudan reiterates its unequivocal commitment to upholding international norms against the existence and use of chemical, biological and radiological weapons. As a member of its Executive Council, Sudan fully supports the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in fulfilling its mandate in a comprehensive, objective and impartial manner. Mr. Chair, at the regional level, Sudan expresses its support for the peace agreement concluded in the occupied territories of Palestine and anticipate its comprehensive implementation to alleviate the hardship and destruction experienced by the Palestinian people. And given the challenges in the Middle East and the devastating situation in Gaza and concerns about possible use of nuclear weapons, Sudan supports establishing a nuclear weapon free zone in the region to enhance peace and security. Establishment of nuclear free zones constitutes one of the most tangible achievements in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation history. We call for the full and timely implementation of the 1995 resolution on the Middle East, which remains a central component to the indefinite extension of the NPT. Sudan has actively participated in all five sessions of the United Nations conference pursuant to the General Assembly decision 73/546 and looks forward to the convening of the sixth session. Sudan continues to urge all invited regional parties, without exception, to participate actively in the conference and negotiate in good faith towards a legally binding treaty establishing the zone. While weapons of mass destruction warrant our focus attention, conventional arms also cause daily devastation. Sudan has long suffered from the illicit flow of weapons to militia groups, a challenge exacerbated during the recent war of aggression against the people and government of Sudan. The uncontrolled transfer of arms has destabilized the country, undermined peace efforts, and threatened territorial integrity. Tackling illicit arms flows remains priority for my delegation as we strive to prevent escalation and foster stability nationwide. Recognizing the legitimate right of sovereign nations to utilize conventional weapons for internal security and defense in line with the charter of the United Nations, Sudan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to implementing the United Nation program of action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons in all its aspects. We emphasize the collective responsibility of states to refrain from supplying arms, financial resources or mercenaries to militias and terrorist organizations. And we urge the international community to hold violators accountable. Mr. Chair, outer space is a domain shared by humanity and must remain dedicated to peaceful purposes. Sudan fully support initiatives aimed at maintaining the peaceful use of outer space and preventing its militarization. Sudan welcomes the successful conclusion of the work of the open-ended working group on security of and in the use of information and communication technologies and the adoption of its final report by consensus. including elements establishing the United Nations global mechanism. In conclusion, the work of this committee is a testament to our shared aspiration for a more peaceful and secure world, free from war and the threat of weapons of mass destruction. Our decisions here will have enduring consequences, and Sudan stands ready to contribute to this crucial undertaking. I thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Sudan for his statement and the kind words addressed to the Chair and the Bureau. And now I give the floor to the distinguished delegate, the representative of Albania.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Joining all the colleagues, let me congratulate the elected Chair of this committee and all the members of the Bureau, wishing you a successful session. Albania aligns with the EU statement. I'd like to deliver some remarks on national capacity. One of the foundational proposes and principles of the United Nations is the commitment to settle disputes by peaceful means and the determination to save succeeding generations from the war. We are aware of the growing complexity of conflicts today with states challenging international law and non-state actors endangering peace and stability in various regions. Such multidimensional threats to international peace and security require comprehensive and coordinated responses. Albania welcomes the Gaza ceasefire reached thanks to the efforts of the United States, supported substantially by Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and all the constructive actors. We hope that its implementation will lead to a peaceful resolution of the conflict. The Russian Federation's ongoing military aggression against Ukraine continues to inflict grave suffering on civilians. The occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant poses a serious nuclear safety risk and represents a clear violation of international law, including the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. We will continue to support Ukraine until Russia engages seriously in a constructive dialogue aimed at a solution in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter. Russia's repeated actions against the neighboring countries further increase unpredictability and insecurity at international level. In response to this persistent threat, countries are increasing the defense and security related spendings. We are also deeply concerned about attempts to artificially extend the conflict to other parts of Europe. In this regard, statements by certain high-level politicians in the Western Balkans, evoking preparations for war and accompanied by the favor of their military parades, do not contribute to regional stability. On the contrary, such rhetoric undermines peace and recalls the tragic conflicts of the 90s, which brought immense suffering to the peoples of the region and led to accountability for those responsible. It's not the ideological shadow of the past that should guide our region, but dialogue, cooperation, and a shared commitment to peaceful coexistence. Madam Chair, the Pact for the Future reiterates our shared obligations to prevent nuclear war and uphold commitments under existing treaties and norms. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons remains a cornerstone of international peace and security. Success at the 2026 review conference would significantly advance the treaty's full implementation and its universalization. Albania strongly advocates for the prompt entry into force and universalization of CTBT. The International Atomic Energy Agency, with its professional and impartial work, is an important instrument in monitoring nuclear activities. We call on Iran to fully cooperate with the agency and to engage constructively in diplomatic efforts resulting in a comprehensive, verifiable, and durable agreement that addresses its nuclear program. The cyber attacks and malicious digital activities remain a reason for concern. We hope that the global mechanism on developments in the field of ICTs will further enhance security in this area. The capacity building measures remain a crucial element for the efficiency of the mechanism. We also welcome international efforts to control small arms and light weapons. Albania supports the projects of the European Union OACCE and Southeastern and Eastern Europe Clearing House for the Control on Salt and underlines the importance of the roadmap for a sustainable solution to arms control in the Western Balkans. Albania affirms the support for the Chemical Weapons Convention and Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention as important pillars of the international legal framework. Concluding, we would like to express our encouragement for the active participation of the youth in UN initiatives. convinced that its energy, creativity and commitment will bring fresh perspectives and renewed momentum to this vital work. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Albania for his statement. And now I give the floor to His Excellency, the permanent representative of Lebanon.

Sayed Al Rais, Madam Chair, At the outset, I would like to congratulate you on assuming the chairmanship of this committee, and I wish you and the members of the row every success, and I assure you of our full support. We align ourselves with the statement made by the Sultanate of Oman on behalf of the Arab group and the statement of Indonesia on behalf of the group of non-aligned countries. Madam Chair, We are distressed by the scenes of death and destruction throughout the world. We are saddened by the fact that disarmament and arms control regimes face unprecedented challenges. We are even witnessing a breakthrough, an acceleration to rearm and strengthen military arsenals. We are concerned that our world today, which is already exhausted by environmental, climate, and development challenges, as well as natural disasters, desertification, drought, and many others, It's focusing its human and natural resources on developing and strengthening the stockpile of destructive weapons and related technologies. This is in clear contradiction with our pledge under the charter to save generations from the scourge of war and to raise the standard of life for humankind in a larger. space of freedom. This charter and the UN and the mechanisms emanating from them are today more important and relevant to our reality. This multilateral system has proven its ability to deal with crises and has contributed greatly to the development of friendly relations between nations, among nations. We must remind ourselves that the world is like a small village that is connected, interactive in various fields and We will only be saved and protected by returning to the principles and purposes of the Charter, not through weapons and related systems. Lebanon, Madam Chair, looks forward to peace in our region, a just and comprehensive peace that restores stolen rights to their rightful owners based on international references and the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, a peace that stops unjustified attacks based exclusively on arrogance that surpasses everything that brings us together here. mean here the arrogance of Israel, which continues to violate all international resolutions and the declaration of the cessation of hostilities for the year 2024, causing thousands of deaths and injuries among civilians and in civilian infrastructure. It hinders the aspiration of the Lebanese government and the peace-loving Lebanese people and their endeavors to extend state control and achieve the desired economic and social development and in the exclusive possession of arms by the It is also, in its practices, using the strongest types of weapons without regard for the principles of international humanitarian law and deliberately demolishing dozens of southern villages under the pretext of security, only out of retaliatory motives and in violation of all international laws and conventions. Madam Chair, the arms management and non-proliferation system is eroding and is being weakened in a way that threatens the gains of a half a century of effort. Our inability to reach consensus on the adoption of a final document on the 10th review conference of the NPT for the second time in a row constitutes a major disappointment, especially for non-nuclear weapon states. We have not really seen willingness of nuclear states to make practical commitments under the first pillar of the treaty. In fact, we have seen a reaffirmation of past commitments without timetables and benchmarks to measure progress made. Here we call for the full implementation of the previous commitments made by nuclear weapons states at the 1995, 2000 and 2010 review conferences to achieve the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals and we look forward to progress being made at the next review conference. In this context, we note positively the growing number of signatories to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as an important tool that fills a legal gap, in particular the outright prohibition of the development, testing, possession and use of nuclear weapons. We stress the need to take the necessary steps to ensure the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, CTBT, and the commencement of substantive work in the Conference on Disarmament on nuclear disarmament. Madam Chair, nuclear weapon-free zones and Zones free of weapon, of all weapons of mass destruction are an essential element in the disarmament agenda. In this context, it's important to stress the importance of serious follow up and of providing opportunities for the success of the efforts aimed at the establishment of a zone free in the Middle East of these weapons, including the work. on the conference on the establishment of such a zone in accordance with the GA decision 73547 which constitutes an opportunity for the states of the region to translate their firm conviction into practice that the region must be rid of weapons of mass destruction here to one state Israel defies the will of the international community and must comply with international non-proliferation obligations and give up its nuclear arsenal as a prerequisite for the establishment of this zone Madam Chair, the enormous challenges posed by weapons of mass destruction should not overlook the dangers associated with conventional weapons. Lebanon shares the deep concern over the challenges posed by the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. We welcome the adoption of the final document of the fourth review conference of the programme of action in July 2024. We also welcome the convening of the preparatory meeting of the States Parties to the global framework for the management of conventional munitions throughout their life cycle in New York last June and the adoption of the final report of the meeting by consensus. And we look forward to the convening of the next meeting of the States parties in 2027. Lebanon also reaffirms its commitment to the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the importance of pursuing its universality. To remind you, Lebanon has had a painful experience with these weapons as a result of their indiscriminate use by Israel in its aggression in 2006, as well as in its recent ongoing aggression, which will inevitably leave a large amount of explosive remnants of war. In a relevant context, The integration of AI into military systems is likely to accelerate the shift towards increasingly complex forms of autonomous weapons in the near future, requiring more comprehensive and targeted discussions and commitments from Member States to ensure effective human control over these weapons. Madam Chair, With increased dependence of our states on information, on ICTs, the risk posed by the militarization of this area constitute a continuing and serious threat to national security, from which Lebanon has not been spared. Israel launched large-scale cyber attacks on Lebanon on the 17th and 18th of September 2024. detonating thousands of mobile and wireless communication devices that were booby-trapped, injuring hundreds of civilians, including many women and children. This targeting, as it happened, is completely in contrary to the basic principles to be followed during war, namely discriminate... The microphone has been cut off.

I thank His Excellency, representative of Lebanon. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cameroon.

Madam Vice Chair, my delegation would like to congratulate the Chair on his election to chair this committee and through him the Bureau. Madam Vice Chair, Our meeting is taking place at a turning point in contemporary history. Over eight decades after the creation of the United Nations, the world is experiencing a worrying proliferation of security threats, strategic rivalries between major powers, the rapid modernization of nuclear arsenals, the increase of cyber attacks, and the military use of new technologies, but also asymmetric conflicts which destabilize entire regions. In addition to these global challenges, there's the cruel reality experienced by Africa, and in particular the Lake Chad Basin and the region of the Sahel. There, terrorism, maritime piracy, and illicit circulation of small arms and light weapons continues to fuel violence and instability. For countries such as Cameroon, This is not merely a theoretical debate. At stake is the very survival of our population and the stability of our institutions. Madam Chair, Cameroon remains wholeheartedly committed to the ideals of general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control. Our delegation reaffirms our deep conviction The security of one state cannot be built in a lasting way on the insecurity of another state. On this point, my delegation would like to insist on five priorities. First of all, nuclear non-proliferation. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons remains a cornerstone of the international disarmament and non-proliferation regime. Cameroon calls for its comprehensive implementation and balance among its three pillars: non-proliferation, disarmament and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. My delegation regrets that the commitments undertaken during previous review conferences have not always been upheld and urges nuclear states to honour their obligations regarding nuclear disarmament in a verifiable, irreversible and transparent way. Secondly, prevention of the militarization of outer space. Space must remain something that belongs to all of humankind, reserved for peaceful and scientific uses. My delegation supports the initiatives underway in favor of a legally binding instrument that prohibits the deployment of weapons in space. Thirdly, the control of conventional weapons, in particular small arms and light weapons. In our subregion, these weapons are the true fuel of conflicts and terrorism. Their illicit proliferation undermines our society, fuels transboundary crime and prevents development. Cameroon reiterates its commitment in favour of the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and the Arms Trade Treaty and calls for the strengthening of international cooperation to trace, mark and destroy illicit stocks of weapons. Fourthly, new technological threats, artificial intelligence, armed drones, autonomous lethal systems, cyber war and biotechnology represent unprecedented challenges to humanitarian law and to the international security law. Cameroon advocates for normative frameworks that are clear to be adopted to prevent these new weapons to escape all control. Fifthly, the consolidation of regional mechanisms for peace and security. In Africa, we're convinced that international security must be built on the basis of local and regional processes. Cameroon hails the action of the African Union and of regional economic communities in the prevention and management of conflicts. My delegation reaffirms its commitment to the Lake-based Chad Lake Basin Commission, the Economic Commission of Central and East Africa, and the Joint Multinational Force in order to effectively combat terrorism and cross-border trafficking. Madam Chair, Cameroon would like to recall that disarmament and international security cannot be separated from the requirements of development. As long as millions of young people will have no economic prospects, extremism and all kinds of trafficking will find a fertile ground. This is why delegation insists on the importance of an integrated approach linking disarmament, sustainable development and respect for human rights. On this point, my delegation regrets that the financing pledged in support of development and for the climate has been delayed. Disarmament cannot be successful in an environment marked by poverty and gaping inequalities. Madam Chair, Cameroon is determined to continue with its efforts of internal stabilization In spite of asymmetric security challenges, my country continues to privilege dialogue, reconciliation, and respect for the rule of law. Faithful to our international commitments, my country is grateful to our partners who are supporting these efforts and calls for a greater support to respond to humanitarian and security needs. Lastly, Cameroon would like to reaffirm its faith in a renovated multilateralism. Current challenges cannot be taken up by neither by a single state by itself or by a small coalition of states. It is only together in the spirit of solidarity, of a shared responsibility and mutual respect that we will be able to move towards a more secure world, Madam Chair. Cameroon has opted for hope. Hope that the international community will manage to overcome the logic of confrontation in order to build bridges of cooperation. The hope that the United Nations Organization will return to its initial mission to be a guardian of universal, just and lasting peace. Cameroon reaffirms its readiness to work with all member states to transform these aspirations into concrete commitments and these commitments into tangible concrete results in the service of collective security and the well-being of present and future generations. The time for talking is over. The time now is for action for our people, and for our common future. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cameroon, and now I give the floor to His Excellency, Permanent Representative of India.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Let me begin by congratulating you and the members of the Bureau. You have the fullest support of my delegation. Madam Chair, India does not believe that solutions can be found through war and conflict. India stands for peace in the Middle East through dialogue and diplomacy. We support the Gaza peace plan of President Trump and appreciate Egypt and Qatar for their roles. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the release of all the hostages after more than two years of captivity. We hope that this will bring lasting peace to the region. India believes that the collective strength of humanity should be deployed for the good of all and to promote human centric globalization. Madam Chair, India's support for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons is consistent with the highest priority to the goal of nuclear disarmament agreed by consensus in SSOD one. As a nuclear weapons state, our commitment to universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament remains undiminished. This goal can be achieved by a step-by-step process underwritten by a universal commitment and an agreed multilateral framework that is global and non-discriminatory. Pending the global elimination of nuclear weapons, India has put forward a number of proposals for reducing in all its aspects nuclear risks and dangers in the document CD/1816. As a responsible nuclear weapons state, India is committed to credible minimum deterrence, with a posture of no first use and non-use against non-nuclear weapon states. Without diminishing the priority we attach to nuclear disarmament, India supports the commencement of negotiations in the CD of FMCT on the basis of CD/1299 and the mandate contained therein. Madam Chair, India is a major space-faring nation and has vital developmental and security interests in outer space. A vibrant and dynamic Indian space industry is poised to make significant breakthroughs, including a human spaceflight program and an Indian space station. India believes that outer space belongs to all of us. It should be an arena for cooperation and not conflict. India supports the negotiation of a legally binding instrument on prevention of an arms race in outer space in the CD and participated in the GG on Paris. India has engaged constructively with the OEWG on reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviors. We recognize that this approach has its merits. We take positive note of the progress made by the OEWG on PAROS and all its aspects with a combined mandate. Madam Chair, this committee and the disarmament machinery of which it is a part are actively considering issues related to emerging technologies. We welcome the deliberations in the disarmament commission relating to emerging technologies. India believes that emerging technologies can have transformational effects on reducing poverty and improving the lives of our people. Artificial intelligence has a particular promise for development and India's approach is to harness it responsibly for human welfare. inclusion and impact will be the watchwords for the AI Summit that India will host in 2026. We acknowledge that the use of emerging technologies in the military domain poses legal, ethical and security challenges. We are committed to addressing these challenges through national and international initiatives. India is committed to the responsible use of AI in the military domain. India acknowledges that the use of AI in nuclear command and control NC3 raises questions. India's position is that decisions to use nuclear weapons would be taken by humans. India supports the prohibition of the use of fully autonomous lethal autonomous weapon systems, which cannot be used in compliance with international humanitarian law. For all other laws, the GGE on laws should identify measures for appropriate regulations to ensure that they are used in accordance with IHL. India welcomes the significant progress made by the GGE. India is committed to promoting an open, secure, stable, accessible and peaceful ICT environment. Madam Chair, India accords great importance to the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention. on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the biological weapons convention India will organize in New Delhi an international conference on 50 years of BWC strengthening biosecurity for the global South on December 1st and second Madam chair my delegation is pleased to note that the CD was able to adopt a decision on its work for the second year in succession and thrice in the last four years Madam chair since this is a debate I will take this opportunity to respond to the delegation of Pakistan on what it has said about India. There is an old saying that an ambassador is an honest man sent abroad to lie for his country. I have always held this to be untrue. My distinguished Pakistani colleague has, however, established that there is substance in this saying. He is a very good and capable man, but his statement is full of lies. India has a no first use doctrine. India will not use nuclear weapons first. If there is any nuclear escalation, it will be by Pakistan. Pakistan can make an enormous contribution to international peace and security by adopting a no first use policy. I would also like to mention that bilateral nuclear understandings and CBMs remain in place. My distinguished colleague has omitted to mention that India has a nuclear armed neighbor that is the epicenter of global terrorism. India will firmly face up to threats including state sponsored cross-border terrorism under a nuclear overhang my distinguished colleague has also not mentioned that Pakistan has sought bailouts from the International Monetary Fund two dozen times Pakistan is using your money our money to export terrorism and instability this is confirmed by contemporary incidents involving another country in our region as far as I know These are not exports that balance current and capital account deficits. I invite this committee to contemplate the consequences upon international peace and security of such a country in a parlous financial condition possessing nuclear weapons. My very capable colleague has also not informed this committee that it is the Pakistani military that called our military directly on May 10th and pleaded for a cessation of the fighting after threatening more attacks until a day earlier. Madam Chair, India will not waste the time of this committee to respond to any further attempts by Pakistan to mislead it. Madam Chair, India will table four draft resolutions and we request your continued support. India attaches importance to disarmament education. The fifth edition of the fully funded annual disarmament and international security fellowship program was held in January earlier this year in India and young diplomats from 33 countries attended this course. A full version of this statement will be posted online. Thank you, Madam Chair, and happy Diwali to everyone.

I thank His Excellency, Permanent Representative of India. Distinguished delegates, before proceeding further, I would like to inform the committee that 62 draft proposals have been submitted for consideration of the committee this session. The Secretariat will circulate the list of these proposals. I have also been informed that the annual proposal entitled Compliance with Non-Proliferation, Arms Limitation and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments was submitted after yesterday's noon deadline. In this regard, does the Committee agree to accept the draft decision, which is purely technical at this time, so that it is available for action during the action phase of the work of the Committee? I hear no objection. It is so decided. The committee will now continue its general debate. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Zambia.

Thank you, Chairperson. Madam Chairperson, since Zambia is taking the floor for the first time, allow me to join others that have spoken before me to congratulate you Chair and the distinguished Bureau on your election to preside over this work of the first committee. Zambia aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the non-aligned movements and the Africa Group and wishes to make the following remarks in its national capacity. Zambia reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the principles of general disarmament and international security, recognizing that disarmament is essential for building a peaceful, stable, and cooperative international order. We welcome the Secretary-General's comprehensive report on disarmament, which provides critical insights into the current disarmament challenges and opportunities. Zambia continues to believe that general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control is a foundation pillar of international peace. Madam Chair, the link between disarmament and development is particularly critical for developing countries like Zambia, where the diversion of public resources towards excessive armaments severely constrains progress towards sustainable development. We therefore reiterate our support for disarmament measures that enables economic transformation and human security. Madam Chair, Zambia remains firmly committed to the peaceful use of outer space and to ensuring that the space remains a domain of free, free of conflicts, weaponization and military confrontation. We believe that our outer space is the common heritage of humankind. and must be preserved exclusively for peace purposes, scientific advancement, and sustainable development. Madam Chair, we note with concern the growing militarization of outer space as heightened in the highlighted in the Secretary General's report, which outlines the rising threat posed by the testing and development of space-based weapons and satellite capabilities. Recent incidences of satellite interference jamming and destructive and satellite tests have only served to intensify the risk of misunderstanding and escalation threatening global peace and security. Madam Chair, Zambia reaffirmed its commitment to the global aspiration of the world free of nuclear weapons. However, we express concern relating to non-adherence to the Treaty of Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The current security environment calls for renewed political, practical measures and enhanced cooperation among all states. Madam Chairperson, we welcome the adoption of the resolution entitled Steps to Building a Common Roadmap Towards a World Without Nuclear Weapons. which, adopted by a large majority, call upon nuclear weapons states to ensure that the nuclear weapons are never used again. Equally important is the resolution on addressing the legacy of nuclear weapons, which recognize the grave human, environmental, and health consequences of nuclear testing and use, and urges states to cooperate in providing victims assistance and environmental remediation. For Zambia, this principle is vital. Suffering anywhere undermines global positions against nuclear weapons everywhere. Madam Chair, conventional weapons remain a significant source of insecurity in many parts of the world, especially in regions vulnerable to armed conflicts, organized crime, terrorism, and underdevelopment. The unregulated illicit flows of small arms and light weapons continue to fuel and threaten peace processes, undermine countries' authorities, and impede socioeconomic development. The human and socioeconomic costs of arms violence are high, particularly if left unchecked. Madam Chair, Zambia urges strengthening implementation of the United Nations program of action on small arms and light weapons, improved stockpiling management, enhanced regional coordination, particularly across Southern Africa, to prevent the proliferation and misuse of these weapons. Madam Chair, we also wish to draw your attention to the implication of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. In military domain, while acknowledging the potential benefits of AI for decision making and operational efficiency, Zambia stresses the importance of establishing strong international norms to govern its use. Unregulated deployment of lethal autonomous weapons system, in particular, raises profound ethical, legal, and humanitarian concerns. We support ongoing efforts to develop the legally binding international instruments that ensures meaningful human control, compliance with international human law, and accountability for use of force. Madam Chair, in addressing the role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament, Zambia welcomes the insights of the Secretary-General's report, which highlights both opportunities and risks associated with scientific advancement. While we support innovation and the use of science for peaceful purposes, we are concerned about the potential misuse of technologies such as cyber tools, biotechnology, and advanced robotics. We call for inclusive international dialogue on the governance of these technologies and underscore the importance of ensuring that all countries benefit equally from peaceful scientific progress. Madam Chair, finally, Zambia firmly believes that multilateral cooperation remains the most effective path towards reducing detention and preventing conflicts and advancing global disarmament goals. We urge all the member states to reaffirm their commitments to international law, transparency and collective security. Disarmament is not merely an elimination of arms, it is the creation of space for peace, for justice and for sustainable development of all nations. Zambia remains ready to work with all partners to ensure a safer and more secure world for present and future generations. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Zambia and now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Djibouti.

Thank you, Madam Chair. On behalf of my delegation, I would like to echo those who spoke before me in congratulating you upon your election to chair the first committee of the 80th session. I also congratulate the members of your team. We'd also like to thank all of the team at UNODA and the interpreters for their tireless efforts. You can count on my delegation's full support during this session. Madam Chair, Djibouti aligns itself with the statements delivered by the African Group, the Arab Group and the Non-Aligned Movement and we'd like to make the following comments in our national capacity. Although the UN was Established based on principles of collective security, peace and international cooperation, some 80 years on, the world remains characterized by persistent armed conflicts, humanitarian crises and an increasing threat linked to conflicts that seem to be interminable. The proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction also remains a major threat. This raises fundamental questions. It highlights the limits of the UN's effectiveness given the complexity of current geopolitical issues, and this all raises questions about the future of multinationalism. Madam Chair, this session of the first committee is being held at a critical moment as armed conflicts continue to rage throughout the world, notably in Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine, and in many other countries. We urgently call for a global ceasefire in all these regions of the world and for the resumption of multilateral dialogue to bring about peace. Nevertheless, we welcome the peace agreement in Gaza signed in Sharm El-Sheikh and we congratulate the United States upon their key role in this initiative. We call for this agreement to be sustainably implemented and we hope that this understanding will contribute specifically to bring about a fair lasting a negotiated solution and above all to the implementation of a two-state solution Palestine and Israel living side by side to bring about stability in that region and in the wider world Djibouti reiterates its commitment to all UN legally binding instruments in the domain of disarmament and we wish to see them completely implemented This is critical to bring about a safe, stable and peaceful environment, not just for our generation but also for future generations as well. We support the three fundamental pillars of the NPT: the peaceful use of nuclear energy, non-proliferation and the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, my delegation is deeply concerned about the increasing challenges that the NPT is facing. Nevertheless, the NPT remains an essential pillar of the international disarmament and non-proliferation regime. We support the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes provided that this be subjected to strict regulation in line with the standards for security set by the IAEA. It is more critical than ever to preserve the NPT's integrity and to strengthen its effectiveness. That is why we wish to see the eleventh conference of the NPT, the review conference, which was scheduled to be held in April next year, we hope that will be a resounding success and we hope that it will lead to specific consensus-based outcomes. Notably, my delegation welcomes the progress made in the conference on the establishment of a zone free from nuclear weapons in the Middle East and we fully support achieving this goal in the conference. The last conference was chaired by Mauritania and we wish full success to Morocco who will be chairing the sixth conference. We underline the importance of the implementation of the 1995 resolution on the Middle East which was adopted during the NPT review conference to avoid the proliferation of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction. Djibouti also welcomes the third meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which was organized in March of this year. Ninety-three countries have signed the document and my delegation therefore underscores the need for the treaty to be universal. It enshrines international humanitarian law in the wake of with regard to the potentially catastrophic consequences of the use of nuclear weapons. We also urge Annex II States to join the CTBT as soon as possible. We encourage them to act responsibly so as to bring about international peace and security. terms of the outer space my delegation welcomes the adoption by consensus of important recommendations on transparency and confidence building measures in the outer space. These measures must make it possible to promote the peaceful use of space for development and research and to prevent any militarization of this common space. Given the rapid development of technology and the risks linked to automating decision-making procedures, the danger of the accidental use of nuclear weapons has unfortunately increased significantly. That is why we are deeply concerned about this matter in terms of global security and we support the non-militarization of artificial intelligence. Madam Chair, the issue of the global security of ICT. On this issue, we welcome the adoption by consensus of the report of the work of the OEWG 2021-2025, whose mandate ended in July. We express our thanks to Singapore, who led that group's work, and we support the implementation of a permanent ICT mechanism within the United Nations. We also welcome the establishment of a global repertory for focal points and we believe that human and technical capacities of focal points in developing countries need to be beefed up to make this repertory operational. This is the specific outcome of the OEWG's work. We also welcome the opening for signature of the Convention on Cybercrime which is scheduled for the 25th and 26th of October in Hanoi and we wish the conference full success. On small arms and light weapons, we deeply regret the illicit use and deviation of these weapons in the hands of non-state actors, particularly in developing countries. This weakens state stability and hampers their ability to achieve the SDGs. We welcome the success of the fourth conference on small arms and light weapons and the plan of action, and we'd like to thank Costa Rica for steering the process. In conclusion, against a backdrop marked by the accelerated modernization of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

I thank the distinguished representative of Djibouti for her statement, and now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Nicaragua.

We'd like to congratulate you and the members of the Bureau on your election. You can count on our full support. My delegation would like to associate itself with the statement made by Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. Madam Chair, Less than five years until the Agenda 2030 is completed in the midst of multiple social environmental crises, it's unadmissible that nuclear arsenals are continued to be expanded and modernized. They put in grave risk the existence of humankind and our mother earth. We reiterate that resources that are today destined for military alliances, military expenditures, and destabilization and aggression should be redirected to financing development countries and fulfilling the SDGs and the 2030 agenda without any conditionality and with full respect for national sovereignty Nicaragua is a country that promotes and defends peace we reaffirm our commitment to general and complete disarmament and the full elimination of all nuclear weapons for the benefit of humankind the highest priority continues to be their definitive elimination we advocate for a dialogue of multilateralism without double standards or excluding anyone, and with full respect for the sovereignty and the legitimate security of all states, contributing in good faith to the life, peace, progress and the development of all peoples. Of particular importance is the implementation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is an instrument of international consensus and legally binding for the global regime of non-proliferation, disarmament, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. We hope that the 11th Review Conference of the NPT leads to concrete recommendations and will make it possible to move towards complete nuclear disarmament without double standards and based on genuine multilateralism, based on the peaceful ends of this treaty, nuclear science and technology should be put at the service of common well-being. These are vital tools that have a transformative capacity when they're used for sustainable development, respecting the environment, sovereignty and equality among nations. We condemn the imposition of illegal unilateral coercive measures that limit or prevent in a discriminatory way access to peaceful nuclear technology for developing countries and we demand scientific cooperation without any politicization. Nicaragua strongly believes that the establishment of nuclear weapons free zone strengthens the non-proliferation regime. peace and international security. In this context, we underscore that Latin America and the Caribbean, which was proclaimed a zone of peace and the first region free of nuclear weapons based on the Tlatelolco Treaty, is a historic example that must be respected and strengthened. Consequently, we demand the immediate withdrawal of warships and nuclear submarines deployed by the United States in the Caribbean, as well as the immediate cessation of all aggression against sovereignty, independence and peace of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and, in our region, any action that undermines international law, the UN Charter, the Tlatelolco Treaty and the proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace. Also, we regret the lack of implementation of the resolution for the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. We'd like to make an appeal for its urgent implementation. We consider it necessary to continue strengthening the legal regime applicable to outer space to ensure the security and transparency in space activities. In particular, we support the adoption of a treaty for the prevention and the prohibition of the placement of arms in outer space, as well as the use or the threat of the use of force against satellites or other space objects. Nicaragua supports the right of all states to have access to outer space on equal conditions and without any discrimination. We'd like to highlight the need for scientific and technological cooperation rather than militarization and destructive competition. Madam Chair, our country continues to be committed to combating and eradicating the illicit traffic of small arms and light weapons, implementing specific programs in combating the scourges of our time, terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, trafficking of weapons, and trafficking of persons. We would like to state that for the success of the implementation of the Programme of Action on Arms Tracing, international assistance and cooperation are essential conditions. We strongly believe that it is necessary to have a global commitment for the peaceful use of information and communication technologies for the benefit of cooperation and development of peoples. is essential to adopt in the framework of the United Nations an international legally binding instrument that addresses the legal gaps in the area of cyber security and ensures a safe cyberspace, one that is stable and in the service of peace and sovereignty of states. Madam Chair, in an international context marked by the proliferation of armed conflicts, attempts to change legitimate governments, state terrorism, inhumane migratory policies, violations of the UN charter and of international law. It's more necessary than ever to invest in the life of people and not in warm machinery. Much has been said about the standstill in the area of disarmament, especially with the lack of will in the policy of certain states in making real progress, in particular nuclear disarmament. The disarmament commission is an appropriate forum to elaborate concrete recommendations to advance the goal of general and complete disarmament. To conclude, Nicaragua reiterates its wholehearted commitment to the UN Charter, multilateralism, and peace. We will continue working together with brethren peoples and nations for a world free of nuclear weapons and all forms of aggression, where resources are allocated to life, to development and human dignity. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Nicaragua. And now I give the floor to His Excellency, Permanent Representative of Vanuatu.

Madam Chair, At the outset, let me congratulate you for assuming the chairmanship of this important committee, as well as your respective bureau members. I assure you of our note to support during your leadership. Madam Chair, our deliberations in this first committee take place against the backdrop of a world in distress, a world where conflicts are multiplying, trust among nations is eroding, and the global arms race is accelerating. The international community is witnessing renewed investments in nuclear and conventional weapons while resources for peace building, development, and climate action remain depleted. For small island developing states like Vanuatu, the meaning of security goes beyond traditional notions of military strength. Our security lies in the protection of our people, their health, education, water and food security, our environment, and our future. Climate change, not conventional warfare, poses the most severe threat to our national survival. Rising seas, stronger cyclones, and ocean acidification directly endanger our well-being. Addressing this threat must therefore remain at the heart of the global security agenda. The forum leaders in the 54th session in Solomon Islands endorsed the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration in alignment with the Boyd Declaration reaffirms our region's aspirations to remain a zone of peace, one free from militarization, external interference, and great power rivalry. Madam Chair, Vanuatu remains deeply concerned by the continued modernization of nuclear arsenals. the absence of progress in nuclear disarmament, and the growing militarization and continuing commercialization of new domains such as outer space and cyberspace. These trends undermine the collective security architecture that this committee seeks to uphold. We urge all nuclear weapons states to fulfill their disarmament obligations under Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and to take concrete steps towards the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. We further aid for the universalization of comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty. The Pacific region continues to bear the scars of nuclear testing and we must ensure that such suffering is never repeated anywhere ever again. We welcome the recent efforts to address the ongoing harm caused by the use and testing of nuclear weapons globally through victims assistance and environmental remediations. Vanuatu is proud to have ratified the treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons a landmark instrument that embodies Humanity's Collective aspiration for a world free of nuclear arms we edge all member states that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the treaty and we we commend the growing number of states that continue to join it we also call on all states to participate in the first review conference of the tpw which is planned to be held on 13 November to 4th December 2026 we acknowledge that the tpw is complementary with the NPT, CTBT, nuclear free treaties and other elements of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. Madam Chair, emerging security challenges also require our urgent attention. The rapid development of autonomous weapon systems, artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities raise serious ethical and humanitarian concerns. These technologies must be governed by international law and human oversight. FANU supports global efforts to establish binding norms that ensure that these innovations serve the cause of peace, not destruction. We are equally alarmed by the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons, which continue to fuel conflicts and undermine stability in many regions. FANATU strongly encourages timely and effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty and the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, including enhanced capacity for small states. Madam Chair, Disarmament and development are mutually reinforcing. Every dollar diverted to the arms race is a dollar taken away from education, health and climate resilience. The pursuit of peace and sustainable development goals are inseparable. for not to reaffirm its unwavering commitment to multilateralism, the rule of international law, and the principles of the UN Charter. We believe that collective security grounded in dialogue and mutual respect remains the surest path to global peace. Let us renew our resolve to build a safer, fairer, and more sustainable world, one where the security of one nation does not come at the expense of another's survival. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank His Excellency Permanent Representative of Vanuatu, and then I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sierra Leone.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I congratulate you on behalf of Sierra Leone's delegation, members of the Bureau, on your election and stewardship of the work of the First Committee for the Zurich ATS session of the General Assembly. Sierra Leone aligns itself with the statement delivered by the African Group and NAM. I now have the honor to deliver additional state remarks in our national capacity. Chair, Sierra Leone recognizes that the committee's substantive discussions during the 79th session of the General Assembly helped to advance consensus on key disarmament and international security issues. in support of global peace and stability. We therefore commend the leadership provided by Ambassador Chamm, the first woman to chair the first committee and the Bureau of the 79th session. We must build upon this momentum to identify and implement decisive measures that can lead to heightened geopolitical tension, threatening international peace and security. This body remains a beacon of hope for the preservation of humanity and future generations. Chair, the erosion of international norms and the rise in the military's expenditure to the unprecedented levels have weakened global stability and diverted resources from development priorities. True international peace and security can only prevail where all members, member states, respect international law, uphold the charter, commit dialogue, and work collectively for collective security. Sierra Leone remains firmly committed to engagement in disarmament and non-proliferation including nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction, and conventional arms, such as small arms and light weapons, and their ammunition. These efforts are indispensable to strengthening global peace and security, and we look forward to consensus outcomes that reflect the diverse realities and priorities of member states. As a post-conflict nation, Sierra Leone reaffirmed that the illicit arms trade, transfer, diversion, and poor management of conventional weapons, particularly small arms, fuel armed conflicts, undermine the rule of law, and erode respect for international humanitarian and human rights laws. As a current member, elected member of the UN Security Council, Sierra Leone will continue to raise its values, voice on non-proliferation of small arms, including convening a high level open debate on the Secretary General's annual report during our presidency of the Council in November this year. This follows out our convening an area formula meeting on small arms control and weapons management in the UN sanction regime in April this year, co-sponsored by the A3+ members, Algeria, Ghana, and Somalia. Our priorities on the issue of in the Security Council reflects our recognition of the grave threat posed by small arms to international peace and security and our call for concrete national measures to curb illicit transfer and trade. We also urge the full implementation of the relevant resolutions, including 2117 of 2013, 2220 of 2015, 2616 of 2021, and 2654 of 2022. Chair, At the regional level, we commend the African Union for its sustained leadership in promoting peace and security, notably through the Silence of the Gun Initiative and the Bamako Declaration. We further recall the AU Peace and Security Council 1058th meeting, which called for a continental strategy to tackle illicit firearms and emerging weapon systems, emphasizing closer coordination with African members of the UN Security Council. Sierra Leone reaffirms that the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapon remains the cornerstone of global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regimes. join other states in welcoming progress in pillar two and three out but are equally concerned about the pace of the nuclear disarmament obligations. We therefore call for all balance and comprehensive implementation of all three pillars of the NTP. Here, The total elimination of nuclear weapons remains the only absolute guarantee against the use of threat of use. We urge all nuclear armed states to renew their commitments to transparent, verifiable, irreversible, and non-discriminating nuclear disarmament through both bilateral and multilateral engagements. Syria is proud to have joined Indonesia and Solomon's Island in depositing our instruments of ratification of the treaty of the prohibition of nuclear weapons. We believe the TPNW complements the NTP and prevails and provides, sorry, provides renewed impetus towards ending the longstanding deadlock in multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations. Chair, Sierra Leone remains concerned about the advanced, advanced implementation of emerging technologies in the military domain, including artificial intelligence and autonomous weapon systems for global peace and security. We use, the use of Explosive weapons in populated area poses grave and humanitarian ethical challenge. The rapid revolution of AI technology, though transformative in development sector, such as agriculture and health, poses new risk when applied to warfare. These technologies must be aligned with international norms governing peace and security. Sierra Leone called for responsible state behavior in cyberspace compliance with.

I thank the distinguished representative of Sierra Leone for his statement. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Senegal.

Madam Chair, I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate you and the members of the Bureau upon your election to chair this committee. You have my delegation's full support as you go about your work. My delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered by Guinea-Bissau and Indonesia on behalf of the African Group and the NAM respectively. Madam Chair, 80 years ago, the peoples of the United Nations, after the horror of war and the tragedies in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, decided to turn the page on the permanent conflict between states and to engage the international community in fulfilling the ideal of common prosperity and peace. Since the demise of the League of Nations, the UN was born to enshrine this impetus for global governance to achieve peace and security. And the General Assembly set out the first of its committees as dealing with disarmament and international peace and security. Since then, major progress has been made, including the NPT and the establishment of a permanent mechanism on the use of ICTs for peaceful purposes. Today, more than ever before, Peace remains among the remains the main priority of the international community without which prosperity cannot be achieved. No nation can prosper when its resources are being diverted towards waging war. Senegal is deeply concerned by the continued erosion of the global collective security architecture, notably as a result of repeated violations of international law and the presence of hot spots, be it in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, or Africa and elsewhere. This is in addition to the accumulation and modernization of weapons of mass destruction, the persistence of the nuclear threat, and the unrelenting proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which is fueling instability. These challenges are fueling geopolitical divisions. They are exacerbating the suffering of civilians and weakening prospects for a global response to new threats to peace and security. By allocating $2.7 trillion to military expenditure in 2024 alone, states are continuing to fuel these threats and to divert resources away from achieving sustainable development. Multilateralism, the pillar of our collective security and a guarantee of the peaceful settlement of disputes, is also being tested. Persistent deadlock in disarmament mechanisms, the increase in unilateralism, the crisis in trust between states, and the paralysis of the Security Council all bear witness to a worrying fragility in the global security architecture. Against this backdrop, Senegal reaffirms its unwavering commitment to an international order based on peace, international law, and international cooperation. Madam Chair, as we open this 80th session, the first committee should more than ever commit to pragmatic discussions to bring about international peace and security. In this regard, Senegal reaffirms the importance of achieving political will to make headway in realizing the goal of the immediate, complete, irreversible, verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons. This is the only option to prevent devastation and misery that could result from the use of these weapons. The modernization and expansion of nuclear arsenals by nuclear weapons states as well as nuclear rhetoric go against disarmament commitments. We think that nuclear disarmament can no longer be a promise that simply gets put off every year. Every delay only exacerbates mistrust. As a non-nuclear weapon state and a party to the Pelindaba Treaty, Senegal stresses the importance of respecting international commitments voluntarily undertaken to restore credibility in nuclear disarmament and there needs to be dialogue to attenuate any tensions between states. We also hope that the forthcoming NPT review conference will be a resounding success. The NPT remains the cornerstone of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. The NPT must be fully supported by all member states. Senegal also believes that the IAEA must be able to play its full role as a guarantor of transparency and cooperation without any political pressure or restriction on peaceful technologies. On a different tack, the universalization of nuclear weapons free zones is part and parcel of our efforts to achieve non-proliferation. In the Middle East, characterized by critical tensions between states and persistent conflict, it is more imperative than ever that progress be made towards the establishment of a nuclear weapons free zone and a zone free from other weapons of mass destruction in line with the 1995 resolution. The sixth UN conference on this matter scheduled for next November under the presidency of Morocco will be a decisive opportunity to open the way to a safer and more stable Middle East. In this regard, Senegal calls on all stakeholders to show political will and compromise so that this initiative can be a genuine landmark in achieving mutual trust. Our country remains committed to work for complete verifiable disarmament so that nuclear energy achieves sustainable development and everyone's collective security. Madam Chair, on the militarization of the outer space, Senegal is pleased to see that in spite of previous divergences, our collective commitment made it possible for a working group to be set up on preventing an arms race in outer space. This is a good step forward. This forum for dialogue will make it possible to go beyond ideological differences which continue to weaken our efforts and will allow us to hash out common standards to ensure that the forum remains, or rather that the outer space remains solely used for peace and development. The concerns of small delegations and developing countries need to be fully heeded. On conventional weapons, we welcome the establishment of a global framework for the management of conventional munition, which offers a response to the threat posed by conventional ammunition. The first conference is scheduled to be held in 2027 on this topic, and we need to ensure that we achieve synergy.

I thank the distinguished representative of Senegal, and now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Algeria.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to congratulate you and members of the distinguished Bureau on your election to the chairmanship of this committee and we assure you of our full support and participation in making the work success. We align ourselves with the statements of the non-aligned movement, the African group and the Arab group. Algeria reiterates its firm commitment to the charter of the UN And multilateral international action for nuclear disarmament in all forms, diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation remain the best and most effective way to advance the goals of disarmament and international security. The international community is still concerned about the threat of this here. We reaffirm our full commitment to the NPT as a cornerstone of the disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation. Here, we stress that the full elimination of nuclear weapons is still the only guarantee against their use or threat of their use. Hence, we support the CPNW and we welcome the holding of the third meeting of the States Parties in March 2025 and we look forward with interest to the first review conference of this treaty in 2026. We welcome the commitment to nuclear disarmament in the Pact for the Future adopted by the UN and we think that there is a dire need to more ambitious measures. We express our concern over the continued development in quality and quantity of nuclear weapons and making them more lethal and we warn of the risks of including artificial intelligence in the command and control systems. for nuclear weapons and we stress that we need to have full human control over these weapons until their total elimination. The establishment of nuclear weapon-free zones is a main step towards their full elimination here. Such zone in Africa that has been established by the Benin Daba Convention is a commitment to this noble goal. Here, Algeria stresses the vital importance for the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and WMDs in the Middle East. We call for the full implementation of the review conference resolution of 1995 on the Middle East. Here, Algeria welcomes the holding of the successive sessions of the conference to hold, to establish this zone. most recent of which the one in November 2024 we look forward to the sixth session this session consigns with 55 years on the entry into force of the NPT and three decades of its indefinite extension which calls us to work seriously to take practical measures to maintain the credibility sustainability and effectiveness of the NTP we regret that we have failed two times in a row in the ninth and tenth review conferences, and we call for making the 2026 review conference a success to reach an outcome document that is balanced and comprehensive that would include clear and binding measures for the total elimination of nuclear weapons and to achieve the universality of NPT and establishment of a nuclear-free nuclear weapon free zone in the Middle East. We need to enhance cooperation in the peaceful uses of new atomic energy and we call upon non-nuclear states to use them in peaceful means for development, for social and economic development. We support international efforts to promote the universality of conventions on nuclear disarmament and we call all states that have not joined the CTBT to do so as soon as possible and we assert the specific responsibility of the nuclear weapons and annex two countries here and we also call for commitment to the principle of no first use of nuclear weapons and the provision of the guarantees in a binding and non conditional manner here. We stress the right of States to manage their stockpiles in a manner that would meet their legitimate defence and security concerns. Here we are concerned vis vis the illegitimate trade. Here we welcome the results of the fourth review conference held in June 2024 also we value the work for the prep meeting of the Munitions framework in 2025 we believe in the utmost importance of outer space and to focus its use on the service of humanity here we welcome the adoption of Resolution 79/512, which has put this under the auspices of the UN. Here, we would like to refer to the adoption by consensus of the report of the GE on outer space in line with Resolution 77/250. This is an opportunity to develop and adopt an international binding instrument. As for cybersecurity, we stress the importance of supporting international cooperation to promote the security of ICTs and we welcome the adoption of the final report of the open-ended working group of cybersecurity in July 2025 by consensus, including the elements on the establishment of a mechanism of the UN. We also note the increased accelerated role of emerging technologies, namely AI in the military sphere. We stress that we need to provide equitable access to all states. to these technologies and to protect against their potential dangers. We would like to refer to the progress made in the work that pertains to the Convention on Conventional Weapons, and we urge States to make progress. We stress the utmost importance of the CWC and the BWC, and we call for their universalization and their full implementation without selectivity. We stress the important role of disarmament at the international level and we call for a renewed political will. Mr. Chair, based on the strategic importance attached to the security of the Mediterranean and its security and stability by my country. We will table once again the annual draft resolution on promoting security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region and we call for wide support for this initiative. In closing, we are committed to constructive working. The microphone has been cut off.

I thank the distinguished representative of Algeria and now I give the floor to his Excellency, permanent representative of the DPRK.

Thank you, Madam Chair. At outset, allow me congratulate you and member of the Bureau on your election. And I'm confident that this meeting will come to excellent fruition under your able leadership. Madam Chair, eight years ago from now, international community reflecting unanimous desire to prevent outbreak another world war and guarantee the common peace and welfare of the humanity established the United Nations and entrusted first committee with important mission of maintaining international peace and security. As a pivotal organ of the United Nations, The First Committee have dealt comprehensively with issues related to the ensuring international security and realizing disarmament over past several decades, and thus made a positive contribution to maintenance of the peace and security of the world. Last year alone, intensive exchange of view was held in the First Committee on measures to make substantial progress in overall issues of disarmament. including nuclear disarmament, control of conventional weapons, and prevention of the militarization of outer space, and put an end to the tragic bloodshed in the Middle East. Relevant documents adopted in the committee totaled as many as 70 resolutions. However, as can be seen in the last year, the international security landscape and geopolitical confrontation become ever more aggravated with the erosion of the legal and institutional mechanism that constitute the platform of disarmament and security are all more accelerated. This is the stark reality of today confronting the international community. Contrary to the desire and endeavor of humanity to live in peaceful, nuclear-free world, The United States annually publishes the record and its military expenditure and openly increase dangerous nuclear arms spending and commit act of the nuclear proliferation. Moreover, transformation of the US military posture and its expansion of alliance are intensifying its hegemonic and offensive nature as it push ahead with a new missile defense system forward deployment of the nuclear armed forces in the allies and deployment of the medium range missile in Europe and Asia. As a consequence, strategic stability is seriously shaken worldwide and qualitative and quantitative intensity of arms race exceed the established limit. As acknowledged by the world, Due to active support and undisguised patronage and backing of the United States for its followers, Europe has been drawn into vortex of war for past several years. And Middle East turned into seat of bloody rampage where genocide and the siege of territory against other nations and military assault on sovereign states are perpetrated openly. As a reality shows, looking behind the college unstable development of the situation are of the religious and the high handedness of a specific state that could step deep in almighty strengths with absolute regard to its interest early without caring for international law and order and security interest of other countries. The international community should hasten vigilance act and thoroughly oppose and reject the hegemonic act of the United States and the West that threaten not only world peace and security, but also the existence of humanity. Madam Chair, arms build up and act of aggravating tensions by hegemonic forces in pursuit of military supremacy are forcibly perpetrated in more intensive and more regular manner on the Korean Peninsula today. They intensified military collision between United States and its allies and their saber-rattling in area of the Korean Peninsula represent the most explicit expression of their will to provoke war and constitute root cause of undermining peace and security environment of the region. Unless these circumstances had been not possessed reliable and effective self-defense deterrent, the Korean Peninsula would have been torn into theater of armed conflict long ago incurred by imbalance of power. Comrade Kim Jong Un, President of the State of Affairs of DPRK said that absolute strength capable of effectively containing the enemy and flexible controlling the situation is by no means a declaration or slogan or thought, but building up of physical strength, its exponential increment at our disposal. Today, the DPRK's nuclear deterrence have proved its capability for and reliability in defending our national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the life, the safety of our people from foreign military threat, aggression, and attack. and steadily increase security coefficient on Korean peninsula and the region through its uninterrupted rapid development and threatening demonstration. Unless nuclear threat to us comes from outside is terminated, and as long as there are egoist imperialist forces that use the nuke for means of existence of their tyranny, We will never allow interruption on our route of bolstering up our military capabilities to safeguard security of our state and well-being of our people, both at the present and in the future, but continue to move forward to maintain the edge of our overwhelming strength. Madam Chair, in order to realize complete abolition of the nuclear weapons, the biggest nuclear weapon state, should duly take the lead in nuclear disarmament. The United States in particular should withdraw its policy of nuclear threat and blackmail against sovereign states and suspend showing of nuclear weapon and proliferation of nuclear technology with its allies rather than talking about some other nuclear threat as it is early country that has ever used nuclear weapon for the first time in the history to kill 100,000 innocent civilian eight years ago. DPRK remain consistent in its stands against biochemical weapon and oppose militarization and weaponization of outer space. DPRK will in the future too fulfill its responsibility and role to safeguard the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the world. I thank you.

I thank His Excellency Permanent Representative of the DPRK. And now I give the floor to His Excellency Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan.

Thank you, Madam Chair. At the outset, I would like to congratulate you and the other members of the Bureau on your election. Madam Chair, the world continues to grapple with a broad spectrum of challenges that no country can overcome on its own. Rising geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts and the ongoing challenges to the international disarmament and arms control architecture make the world more fragmented and uncompromising. Azerbaijan is firmly committed and faithfully adheres to its arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament obligations, and has consistently reaffirmed its dedication to the three pillars of the NPT, namely nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. This position was also promoted by Azerbaijan in its capacity as chair of the Non-Aligned Movement from 2019 to 2023. Furthermore, Azerbaijan has maintained a robust and productive partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Our collaboration focuses on ensuring nuclear safety and security, as well as the peaceful use of nuclear technology. To serve the common interest of all humankind, outer space must be preserved for peaceful purposes. In this regard, Azerbaijan supports the efforts aimed at preventing an arms race in outer space and emphasizes the importance of international cooperation. Azerbaijan further commends the efforts towards maintaining and promoting an open, secure, stable, accessible, peaceful and interoperable environment for information and communications technology. We are confident that a secure and trusted cyberspace is vital for all states to attain sustainable development objectives and enhance living conditions. Given the increasing security challenges, ranging from nuclear risks to emergent threats such as cyber warfare, it is evident that international peace and security depend on our collective resolve. Madam Chair, following the end of the conflict and the liberation of its territories from nearly 30 years of occupation, Azerbaijan initiated the normalization of relations with Armenia based on the five basic principles rooted in international law and tabled the proposal for a peace treaty. As a result of subsequent negotiations, the ministers of foreign affairs of Azerbaijan and Armenia initialed the text of the agreement on the establishment of peace and interstate relations between the two countries on 8 August of this year. Thus, an important historic step was taken towards ending the long-lasting conflict and signing a peace agreement. In our statements at the previous sessions, we warned about destabilizing actions by certain external powers to interfere in regional affairs. It would be pertinent to remind in this regard that all states shall comply in good faith with their obligations under the generally recognized principles and rules of international law with respect to the maintenance of international peace and security. Madam Chair, the past conflict turned Azerbaijan into one of the most heavily mined contaminated countries in the world with an estimated 1.5 million landmines and an unknown number of explosive remnants of war which continue to pose severe risks to civilians, hamper the essential reconstruction and development works and obstruct the safe return of the forcibly displaced population to their homes. As a result, the number of post-conflict mine victims in Azerbaijan since November 2020 has reached 409, of whom 71 lost their lives and 338 suffered horrific injuries, the majority of whom are civilians, including children and women. In his recent report on assistance in mine action, A/80/272, the Secretary-General emphasized that given limited funding, the international humanitarian disarmament framework encounters significant challenges, pointing out in this regard that concerted, coordinated and adequately financed mine action is imperative to reverse the perilous trajectory outlined in the report. The scale and magnitude of the landmine threat in Azerbaijan necessitate enhanced accountability, stronger solidarity and partnership, and adequate international assistance to bolster national humanitarian demining capabilities and initiatives. Madam Chair, in conclusion, I wish to assure you and the Bureau of my delegation's full support of your efforts to attain a successful outcome.

Of the work of the First Committee.

I thank you.

I thank His Excellency, Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan, and for his kind words expressed to the Chair and the members of the Bureau. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Thank you so much, Madam Chair. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. Deep interstate divisions, strategic rivalries, and increased geopolitical tensions all reveal the constant threat of war around the entire world. We are living through a climate of mistrust between the major actors on the global stage, and we appear to be irreversibly moving towards the deterioration of international agreements that had upheld international security, disarmament and non-proliferation. The world is living through unstable relative peace. We don't know for how long that will last. In this context, the UN and its first committee are called upon to contribute to curbing the bellicose deterioration through strengthened multilateralism to bring about international peace and security. The proliferation of nuclear weapons threatens the survival of humanity. Their elimination is an ethical imperative and it's the only option given the risk of total extinction of life in the world. Given the increase in military budgets, alongside this, the kind of nuclear weapons being developed has only increased. The states are increasing their dependence on the nuclear deterrence, which has become obsolete. The current arms race in the nuclear domain are leading us even closer towards the apocalypse, according to the apocalypse clock, it's ticking closer and closer to midnight. We call for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. We call for the immediate cessation in the modernization, fine tuning, development, and production of nuclear warheads. And we urge all states to sign up to and ratify the TPNW and other international legally binding instruments in this domain. Nevertheless, we reiterate the right that states have to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. and we wish to reiterate our support for the establishment of new nuclear weapons free zones. Venezuela also condemns all use of chemical and biological weapons and we support their complete and total elimination. We reiterate the technical nature of the OPCW. Venezuela is against policies that see the outer space area as being a potential scenario of war. The placement of weapons in outer space is destabilizing and this is a matter of insecurity for the entire international community. In cyberspace, an emerging worrying trend is the malign use and abuse of technologies by state and non-state actors for military purposes. This issue is particularly pertinent when we look at the interlink between AI and generative AI and nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction. We need to have an international legally binding framework on the peaceful and responsible use of ICTs to provide security, to recognize technological asymmetries, to boost international cooperation, and to include states' concerns. and the concerns of developing states. This will only be possible with more natural intelligence, which means more political will. Madam Chair, distinguished colleagues, we would like to take this opportunity to call out a serious matter that threatens the peace and security of our region and our people. Since August, the United States has engaged in a hostile policy against Venezuela and this has led to military forces being deployed in the Caribbean very near to the Venezuelan coast. This aggressive US policy to threaten the use of force is based on false narratives and it artificially aims to fabricate a conflict to deceptively invoke Article 51 of the Charter against Venezuela. Today in the Caribbean we are seeing the offensive mobilization of more than 10,000 US military units as well as the sending of planes and vessels and anti-missile vessels, including the deployment of a submarine with nuclear capacity. This is a credible threat to peace for Venezuela and the entire Caribbean. This military operation, which is baseless under international law, goes against the Tlatelolco Treaty which in 1968 established the denuclearization of our region and compels the United States under protocols one and two of that treaty to respect our region being declared as a nuclear weapons free zone. These military operations by the United States in the Caribbean which are totally disproportionate and which have also led to the extrajudicial execution of 27 civilians in the high seas, are now threatening to be carried out on land. This would be a serious violation of articles 2.1, 2.4, and 2.7 of the United Nations Charter on the sovereign equality of states, respect for territorial integrity, prohibition of the use of force, and the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of states. In conclusion, we call on the First Committee to be vigilant given the US militarization of the Caribbean, and we urge the government of the United States to cease these hostile acts and to honor their international commitments in the domain of international disarmament. Madam Chair, finally, my delegation reaffirms its determination to work constructively in this committee's work. Thank you so much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Venezuela, and now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the DRC.

Thank you, Madam Chair. My delegation would like to join those who preceded me to congratulate you and the other members of the Bureau on your election and I would like to reassure you of our support and full cooperation. The Democratic Republic of the Congo aligns itself with the statements made by Uganda and Guinea-Bissau, respectively, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and the African Group, and would like to add the following in our national capacity. Madam Chair, international peace and security have always been the main concern of our organization. However, today our world is facing increasing tensions and increased nuclear rhetoric among states with nuclear weapons involved in conflicts. Eighty years after the creation of the UN, much remains to be done to strengthen the confident trust of the international community in the sacred character of the UN Charter and its profound aspiration to save future generations from the scourge of war. Unfortunately, it is a fact that nuclear weapons states continue to expand and modernize their nuclear arsenals and their military expenditures continue to grow. In the face of this sad reality, it is urgent to take concrete measures so that states continue to renew their commitment in the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and its three pillars. The treaty remains the cornerstone of the disarmament regime to benefit the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The Democratic Republic of the Congo will continue to support multilateral efforts for disarmament. This is why we congratulate Ambassador Do Huu Viet from Vietnam for his designation as the president of the NPT Review Conference of 2026, and we expect to contribute constructively to achieve a positive result that supports the comprehensive of the Treaty and the decisions of the IAEA. My country reaffirms the central role of the Disarmament Commission as the only specialized organ within the UN system focusing specifically on disarmament issues and submitting concrete recommendations to the General Assembly. It is therefore important for States to continue to work together to restart the work of the Disarmament Conference with a view to adopt a legally binding international instrument aiming to significantly reduce or completely eliminate nuclear weapons to achieve an ideal of a world free forever of nuclear weapons. As we have stated during the last session, we can repeat today, we don't have any time to lose. Now is the time, because tomorrow will be too late. Of course, we have to understand that nuclear war cannot be waged and cannot be won. Along the same lines, my delegation welcomes the growing world support for the on the prohibition of nuclear weapons and the first review conference for this treaty will take place in New York 30th November to the 4th of December of this year under the chairmanship of the South Africa we call on states that are not parties to the treaty to join in in order to accelerate its universalization. Humankind is confronted with a real threat, which is a growing threat, and that is the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, in particular biological weapons or chemical, radioactive, ballistic weapons. These are increasingly, they can be obtained by countries that in the past did not, were not able to get them. Now, it's important that the Convention on Chemical Weapons and Convention on Biological Weapons must continue to be universalized in an accelerated way so that these two instruments can be effective in preserving our people from the devastating consequences related to the voluntary or accidental use of these weapons. Madam Chair, the emergence of new technologies, the development of artificial intelligence in the military sphere, the use of autonomous lethal weapon systems, all these are sources of growing concern regarding international security due to their dual-use character. The DRC urges states to spare no effort to act decisively in order to negotiate a legally binding instrument to ensure that technological progress contributes to the well-being of humankind, that the implementation of AI in the military sphere is compatible with international law and in particular with humanitarian international law. Humans must remain at the center and not the machine. The DRC furthermore welcomes the successful conclusion of the open-ended working group on security and the use of information and communication technologies 2021-2025 established by resolution 75/240 and the adoption by consensus of its final report including the elements pertaining to creation of a permanent global permanent mechanism. My delegation calls on the rapid implementation and also the allocation of necessary resources and the need to strengthen the capacity of developing countries. My delegation reaffirms its support for norms, rules and principles for responsible behavior in the reduction of threats in space and the establishment of a legally binding instrument on prevention of an arms race in space to make sure that extra atmosphere that that outer space is a peaceful environment serving the well-being of humankind. My delegation continues to be extremely concerned by the rapid spread of these kinds of weapons, which are an obstacle to peace. My delegation considers that the implementation of the provisions of various international instruments on small arms and light weapons not only provide appropriate solutions, and given the threat that results from the illicit trade of these weapons, but also could be an obstacle to the spread of terrorism. In 2025, the DRC launched a fellowship training regarding the control of small arms and light weapons. However, given that this program aims at strengthening the technical skills and practices of experts in developing countries, My delegation underscores the importance of multilingualism to allow all states to participate. To conclude, my delegation invites all states to demonstrate will and attachment to the principle of transparency in dealing with issues of disarmament and international security to move together towards an ideal of lasting global peace. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the DRC and now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Congo.

Thank you. Thank you.

Madam Chair, I would like first of all to congratulate you upon your election as chair of the first committee for the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all members of the first committee bureau upon their appointment as well. My delegation assures you of its full support and we align ourselves with the statement delivered on behalf of the NAM and also the statement delivered on behalf of the African group. and we would like to make some comments on our national capacity. The general debate that we are engaged in now is being held at a time marked by critical aspects as a result of the upsurge in conflicts and the deterioration of the security situation and the way in which international peace and security are being undermined. In this regard, we welcome the report of the Secretary-General, whose full content we fully endorse. There has to be cooperation globally to achieve peace. There are many challenges we have to overcome. We have to promote multilateralism, the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and we need to engage in political dialogue as the only way to resolve conflicts. The President of Congo, speaking on this issue during the 80th session of the General Assembly, during the high-level segment that is, he called on the international community to achieve global disarmament given the multiplication of international conflicts. This means that we need to achieve the complete elimination of nuclear weapons to bring about international peace and security, and to achieve economic progress and development. Nevertheless, this requires that concrete measures be taken to achieve nuclear disarmament. We need to pursue objectives to achieve full disarmament. We need to encourage states to ratify all relevant conventions, notably the Pelindaba Convention, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Tlatelolco Treaty, the Bangkok Treaty, and the other relevant treaties in this domain. Madam Chair, Congo would encourage States to take all necessary measures to preserve international peace and security. We therefore support the adoption of the NPT Conference the success of the NPT conference and the adoption of an outcome document there. We have to ensure that disarmament is achieved. There will also be a conference under the aegis of South Africa in November, which will pertain to ensuring that AI is not used for military purposes and also the conference of the TPNW as well. The use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is another very important matter. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Congo for his remarks addressed to the Chair and the members of the Bureau. And now, 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 four and a half minutes for the first intervention and to two and a half minutes for the second intervention. I call on the representative of Namibia.

Chair, Namibia exercises its right of reply following the allegations by Morocco yesterday in this committee on Namibia's human rights record. Namibia's human rights record and commitment to good governance, transparency, and the rule of law, as well as upholding its international human rights obligations, speak for itself. We do not need to respond to the baseless allegations from Morocco, a country that clearly disregards international law and treaty obligations. First, Morocco has since 1975 simply ignored the ruling by the ICJ regarding its false claims of sovereignty over the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara. Secondly, as clearly heard through their remarks, Morocco rubbishes the UN Charter and UN resolutions by disregarding the established mandate of MINURSO to oversee a referendum for the right of self-determination of the people of Western Sahara a referendum that they claim, in their own words, is dead and buried. MONUSO's mandate that has been renewed since 1991 is very much alive, but Morocco deems their work dead and buried, even though they engage MONUSO on a regular basis, as indicated in the reports of the UN Secretary-General. This clearly indicates that their engagement with UN entities is not genuine but superficial, with no intention of abiding by any UN decisions. MINUSO is a mission that was established by the UN Security Council, and until such a mandate is withdrawn, no individual country has the right to unilaterally declare it dead and buried unless the country concerned is bent on undermining UN processes. Third, Morocco has time and again denied access to UN and AU human rights monitoring bodies into the occupied territory of Western Sahara, which speaks volumes of the kind of acts that may be perpetuated there. Fourth, Morocco continues to disregard the AU Constitutive Act and AU processes, which they manipulate for their narrow agenda. Therefore, Morocco's own actions and words demonstrate their blatant disregard for the UN and its processes, and international law, which undermines international peace and security. Fifth, the remarks made yesterday about the conflict in Western Sahara by Morocco before the entire world and international community are very telling. They said that the conflict is, and I quote, an artificial dispute. Yet this so-called artificial dispute occupies the entire foreign policy. Clearly this artificial dispute is so real that it has demanded the erection of a wall of separation to keep the owners of the territory of Western Sahara away from their own land and their own resources. This wall must be disarmed. If history is anything to go by, slavery has ended, the Berlin Wall has fallen, then the writing is already on the wall for Morocco's illegal occupation. We call on Morocco to stop being on the wrong side of history and to do the right thing now, once and for all. The last colony in Africa must finally be free and their right to peace and security upheld. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Namibia and now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Australia.

Chair, I take the floor on behalf of the delegations of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to address some misleading assertions which have been made by one member state regarding AUKUS cooperation. Chair, Australia's Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program is proceeding in full compliance with AUKUS partners' respective international obligations, including under the NPT, Australia's Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, and Additional Protocol. Naval nuclear propulsion was foreseen by the drafters of the NPT and remains aligned with the treaty. As the Director General of the IAEA has repeatedly made clear, Article 14 of the IAEA's model CSA is the specific provision to support the right of states to use nuclear material in a non-prescribed military activity, including for naval nuclear propulsion. Australia is continuing its engagement with the IAEA to develop a safeguards and verification approach for its NNP program within the framework of Australia's CSA and AP, including an Article 14 arrangement. Chair, as we have made clear, Australia's Article 14 arrangement will not remove nuclear material from IAEA oversight. Australia's conventional armed nuclear-powered submarine program will be subject to a robust package of safeguards and verification measures, enabling the agency to continue to fulfill its technical safeguards objectives for Australia at all times. We hope all delegations will continue to reject any efforts to undermine the independent technical authority of the IAEA and its mandate to engage with states on implementation of their safeguard arrangements. The technical mandate of the IAEA is critical to the non-proliferation regime and something all States, including NPT State Parties, should strive to uphold. Thank you, Chair.

I now call on the representative of Sweden.

Thank you, Chair. Sweden exercised its right to reply last week in response to several distorted claims made by the Russian Federation. Our intervention still stands. But in light of continued Russian statements along similar lines, Sweden sees the need for a renewed right to reply. I have three brief remarks. Firstly, We reject the claim from the Russian delegation that Russia is not transmitting irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and nuclear threats. They are. Statements from the likes of Medvedev and Karaganov are out there for everyone to see. Member States of this committee can judge for themselves. As a nuclear weapons state, And a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia has a special responsibility within the NPT to show leadership on the path towards a world free from nuclear weapons. Russia is currently moving distinctly in the opposite direction. Secondly, there is of course no bridgehead for Western countries to instigate hatred of Russia in Ukraine. One must also keep in mind that the term Russophobia is invented by Russia to pursue aggressive political objectives. If not being liked is the true concern for Russia, there are multiple legitimate options in the soft power toolbox to address the matter, and they are definitely more efficient than launching a full-scale brutal invasion on your neighbor, targeting and killing civilians. Thirdly, it deserves to be repeated. NATO accepting new members to engage in collective security is not a threat to Russia or any other country. It is not a result of a so-called expansionist agenda. It is a result of sovereign countries taking sovereign decisions. That might not be a world order of Russia's liking. as it diverts from the sphere of influence Russia wants to establish at the expense of its neighbors, most explicitly spelled out in the ultimatum presented in December 2021. Sweden firmly rejects the idea that might equals right. And that is one of the many reasons we will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. And let me highlight the logic of sequences by once again inform this plenary. It wasn't until after Russia's full scale and brutal onslaught on Ukraine that Sweden saw the necessity to abandon more than 200 years of military non-alignment and join NATO. If Sweden taking this particular and sovereign decision is an example of the true problem and regrettable to Russia, Then logic has it that Russia should perhaps entertain the idea of rethinking its strategy of using military aggression to achieve its political objectives. I thank you.

I now call on the representative of China.

Thank you, Madam Chair. During this week's general debate certain countries once again attempted to distort and smear China's nuclear policy and the modernization of its national defense China firmly rejects such claims Regarding the unfounded accusations that China is pursuing OPEC and rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal and refusing to engage in arms control dialogue China has already given a detailed response during last week's general debate and retro reply which I will not repeat here Exactly 61 years ago today China successfully detonated its first atomic bomb. On the same day, the Chinese government issued a solemn statement that at no time and under no circumstances would China be the first to use nuclear weapons. The Chinese government also proposed the convening of a summit of world leaders to discuss the complete prohibition and total elimination of nuclear weapons. As a first step, China proposed that States possessing nuclear weapons and those that might soon possess them should undertake not to use nuclear weapons, not to use them against non-nuclear weapon states or against nuclear weapon free zones or against one another. 61 years on, China has been pursuing a defensive national defense policy and a defensive nuclear strategy. China has always adhered to its no-first-use policy, has unconditionally pledged not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states or nuclear weapon-free zones, and has maintained its nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national security. China has never participated and will never participate in any nuclear arms race. The sole purpose of China's possession of nuclear weapons is to deter other countries from using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against China and to ensure national security, not to win a nuclear war. This fundamentally distinguishes China's nuclear policy from that of other nuclear weapon states. Madam Chair, certain countries participating in NATO's nuclear sharing or extended deterrence have disregarded the global consensus on nuclear disarmament and are spreading a false narrative about the three states with the largest nuclear arsenals. China firmly opposes such irresponsible distortion of facts. China's nuclear forces are not on the same scale as those of the two largest nuclear powers, who together possess more than 90% of the world's nuclear weapons, demanding that China join trilateral nuclear negotiations is unfair, unreasonable and unfeasible. China will continue to actively contribute to international efforts on nuclear disarmament and will never agree to accept any form of coercion. On nuclear sharing, China has consistently maintained that NATO countries, by providing delivery systems and conducting nuclear mission training, effectively gain control directly or indirectly over nuclear weapons in violation of the letter and spirit of the NPT. For a long time, the international community, including non-aligned countries, has expressed expressed doubts and opposition to NATO's nuclear sharing arrangements in various forms, China urges the relevant countries to take seriously the legitimate concerns of the international community. On land-based intermediate-range missiles, China reiterates that its missile capabilities are entirely defensive in nature and are deployed within its own territory, posing no threat to any country. Some countries, however, are transferring and forward-deploying missiles in Asia-Pacific through their allies, seriously undermining the existing international arms control and non-proliferation architecture, eroding regional peace and security, and destabilizing global strategic balance. China urges these countries to cease their provocative actions, stop the forward deployment of land-based intermediate-range missiles in Asia-Pacific, and end the proliferation of missiles and related technologies capable of delivering WMDs. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I now call on the representative of the Russian Federation.

Madam Chair, the Russian Federation rejects any unfounded accusations against it, including the one just made, which comment that has no connection to reality by the delegation of Sweden. We call on those delegations who have any doubts about the explanations provided by Russia regarding the national position of our state regarding various matters that they raised to once again to carefully read the statements that have been made by us from the beginning of the session of the first committee of the General Assembly as part of our right of reply, I think they will find all the answers to the issues they raise. Also, we believe that we cannot fail to respond to yet more remarks that have nothing to do with reality, that have been senselessly and recklessly directed against our country. In particular, the situation with regard to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. as part of, in conditions of a continuing degradation of the situation in international security, in particular around the CTBT, a very complex situation has arisen. There are no prospects for the treaty to enter into force. However, this is not due to the fault of Russia, as many are trying to present it. Starting in 1999, various American administrations under bogus pretexts have refused to ratify this treaty. No practical steps for the benefit of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty since then have been taken by Washington. It is clear that the United States is not interested at all in joining this treaty. In these circumstances, and also taking into account the current political situation as a whole, our country considered the imbalance that arose between Russia and the United States with regard to obligations under the CTBT unacceptable. Therefore, the revoking by us of the ratification of the treaty rectify this situation. The federal law on this decision entered into force on the 2nd of November of 2023, and we want to once again stress that we're talking about the revocation of the ratification of the treaty. In spite of this step, Russia remains a signatory of the CTBT treaty with all of the rights and obligations pertaining to it. We continue to fully participate in the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO, and we are adhering to the moratorium on nuclear tests, which was and introduced back in 1990 under the USSR. A clear example of the commitment of Russia to the CTBT is the conclusion on the 14th of December of 2023 of the construction of the Russian segment of the international system of monitoring, which is the largest, that segment is the largest, the second largest, and includes 32 facilities. Currently, we continue to cooperate with the temporary technical secretariat of the Preparatory Committee of the CTBEO. And we're continuing work on ensuring uninterrupted operation of the aforementioned facilities. Thank you for your attention.

I now call on the representative of Israel.

Thank you, Chair.

A brief response to statements heard today.

Made by several states from the Arab group as well as others. Israel rejects any accusation based on a biased and one-sided view of the complex situation in the Middle East, especially if it fails to acknowledge the needs of a member state to confront continuous threats to security and its right to protect its citizens from murderous terrorist groups.

Israel will continue to exert its duty and right to defend its population.

Hoping for a different future where terrorists and their patrons do not put the security of the region at risk. In light of the recent developments in the region, we call on all reasonable and responsible parties to join this task. Chair, in response to the statement made by Lebanon, as Lebanon understands very well, the catastrophic implications of the activity of terrorist organizations, and Hezbollah specifically.

As well as the rogue.

Iranian behavior that had such negative implications in Lebanon for decades, we call on it to join the vital task of eliminating terror and providing security to the region. Echoing lies and falsehoods against Israel is just unhelpful. I thank you.

And I'll call on the representative of Pakistan.

Thank you, Chair. I'm compelled to take the floor in response to the statement made by the Indian ambassador. Perhaps the esteemed Indian ambassador did not read his own words carefully. While talking about conflicts elsewhere, he said, India does not believe that solutions can be found through war and conflict. Yet it was India that launched unprovoked aggression against Pakistan on the night of 7th May, 2025. an act that plunged the entire region into crisis. Hostilities ceased only on 10th May, following Pakistan's position of strength after downing of seven Indian aircrafts and the request of a ceasefire that came from India, facilitated by President Trump and other friendly countries. President Trump has spoken countless times about it. India to this day refuses to acknowledge the very mediation that helped it escape its own misadventure. It is India, not Pakistan, that repeatedly vows to undertake future strikes under the nuclear overhang. Imagining that such reckless rhetoric enhances deterrence, it does not. It only exposes the delusion of a political leadership that mistakes brinkmanship for strategy. India's ruling party and military establishment may succeed in feeding their domestic polity with disinformation, manufacturing imaginary victories, and turning defeats into propaganda gains, but they cannot deceive the international community. Like all aggressors, India follows the familiar playbook: commit aggression, cry victimhood and cloak expansionism in the language of counterterrorism. Let us be clear, Chair. India actively sponsors, aids, and abets terrorism in my country and beyond. Its intelligence agency has been directly collaborating with terrorist outfits to sponsor terrorist acts in Pakistan and undertake extraterritorial assassinations in other countries. Pakistan has sacrificed over 90,000 lives in the global fight against terrorism and remains one of its most steadfast partners of the international community. Chair, India boasts of its no first use doctrine, but conveniently omits the exceptions in policy statements by its own leaders that contradict this claim. If India truly seeks nuclear risk reduction, why has it avoided the bilateral dialogue on these issues since 2012? chair for decades strategic stability between any two nuclear armed states has relied on mutual risk awareness and crisis communication this delicate balance has prevented catastrophe even in moments of high tension India's emerging military doctrine seeks to dismantle this equilibrium imagining a utopian new normal with conventional strikes against a nuclear armed neighbor can be treated as cost free adventures wars do not follow scripts The belief that one can initiate hostilities, control escalation, and dictates the term of peace is delusional. Chair India also lectures others about prosperity and governance, while millions of its own citizens live in abject poverty and deprivation. Perhaps it should first ensure the well-being of its own people before weaponizing economic narratives and international financial institutions to score political points against its neighbor. chair India would do well to abandon its self-serving fiction shed the arrogance of impunity and return to serious result oriented dialogue for peace stability and conflict prevention Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to peace stability and responsible conduct but equally resolute in defending its sovereignty and National Security we continue to believe that peace lies not in posturing and propaganda, but in dialogue, diplomacy, and mutual respect. I thank you.

I now call on the representative of the United States.

Chair, thank you for the floor. I'd like to respond to the statement by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea that alleged exceeding of nuclear weapons limits. Chair, the United States continues to abide by the New START Treaty's central limits and to fulfill all of its treaty obligations that are not addressed through U.S. countermeasures, which are fully consistent with international law. As the United States reported earlier this year, from January 1st to December 31st, 2024, the United States eliminated six Minutemen III ICBMs, three by test launch, two by static firing, and one using New START treaty elimination procedures; and eight Trident II SLBM first stages, four using New START treaty elimination procedures and four by static testing, in accordance with New START treaty provisions on means for removal from accountability. Separately, Chair, a few states have commented about the U.S. use of strategic trade controls during the general debate or mistakenly implied that such measures restrict or constrain trade-insensitive goods. I'd like to provide some information to demonstrate otherwise. The United States leads global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons by championing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and supporting international safeguards through the IAEA. We enforce robust export controls to fulfill our non-proliferation obligations and provide reassurance that sensitive goods, materials, equipment, and technologies will not be misappropriated or diverted to programs that undermine global or regional security, including weapons of mass destruction programs. These controls are complemented by international multilateral commitments like the Nuclear Suppliers Group and other export control regimes. These regimes maintain and update their guidelines and provide transparency and predictability to facilitate trade and build confidence among trading partners. These regimes provide an international benefit by identifying materials, equipment, and technologies that pose proliferation risks. They also promote standards and practices that facilitate responsible trade of those items. These regimes publicly release their technical control lists and transparently share best practices for assessing proliferation risk with members and non-members alike. The regimes are voluntary, non-binding, and respect national sovereignty. The control lists and guidelines for transferring sensitive materials, equipment, and technology are implemented on a national basis. While there is no explicit right to technology in either the NPT or the Biological Weapons Convention, as some have claimed, the United States supports the objective that all countries should have access to technologies that hold the promise to enrich lives, create prosperity, and solve global challenges. This access must be paired with the assurance that goods will not be misused, misappropriated, or diverted to programs that undermine international security. When these conditions are met, trade makes the world more secure and more prosperous. I want to stress that export controls apply to less than 1% of U.S. exports. Denials constitute an even smaller percentage. In the very few cases where the United States denies an export license, it is often due to proliferation concerns regarding unauthorized end uses or end users. An example would be concerns of diversion to military programs or to an unsafeguarded nuclear facility. The United States has taken an active role in assisting countries to develop economically beneficial, comprehensive strategic trade controls. Our export control and related border security program engages with countries to promote the adoption, implementation, improvement, and harmonization of strategic trade control practices and legislations. Far from constraining global trade in sensitive goods, the mutual implementation of export control lists enables and enhances legitimate trade and boosts foreign direct investment. Recent studies have shown that when both exporters and importers have strategic trade controls, dual-use sectors experience annual increased trade. The economies involved also experience an average annual increase in foreign direct investment. Beyond helping states prevent proliferation and carry out their obligations under existing arms control treaties and UN Security Council Resolution 1540, strategic trade controls implementation facilitates high-tech global trade. and helps countries climb the industrial value chain and boost economic development. Thank you.

Before I give the floor to the next speaker, may I request the delegations exercising your right of reply to speak a bit slower just to assist with the interpretation. Thank you. And now I call on the representative of Morocco.

Madam Chair, Namibia persists in venturing into areas that have absolutely nothing to do with the mandates of this committee. By politicizing the work of the first committee now, which is something new and not constructive at all, Namibia undermines the spirit of seriousness, responsibility, and cooperation that must guide our collective deliberations in this committee. Madam Chair, it is inappropriate, unconstructive, and definitely telling that Namibia is the only delegation among more than hundreds who spoke so far. to bring up a matter outside the scope of this committee. Equally telling is the selective use of the principle of self-determination, which Namibia continues to systematically deny to the people of Caprivi, the last occupied colony in Africa. I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight the suffering of the Caprivi people who have endured decades of repression and ongoing human rights violations by Namibia, denying them their human rights, including their inalienable right to self-determination, which Namibia likes to speak loudly about abroad. The brave people of Caprivi who dared to demand their independence have been silenced, detained without access to legal counseling, or forced to exile. A lot of people, of these people, were tried in the so-called quote, caprivitration trials. Several of the defendants in this trial died in custody without ever having been able to learn the outcome of their trial. In this regard, Namibia distinguished itself by holding one of the longest and most ineffective trials in Africa. Madam Chair, this is not Morocco saying so. Indeed, all these human rights violations have been documented by the UN, including the Human Rights Committee, which has also reported proven cases of torture, beatings, and deprivation of food and medical assistance, as well as the Committee Against Torture. I have the report here, which stated that it is concerned that the detainees in so-called Capri Vihai trials were denied fundamental legal safeguards and were severely tortured during the trials. Furthermore, the committee is concerned at the long pretrial detention periods, in some cases amounting to more than 15 years, and cases of death in detention. Madam Chair, it is almost ironic, if not tragic, to hear Namibia lecturing others about self-determination while turning a blind eye on its dark records of human rights violations in the Caprivi region. Does Namibia intend to offer self-determination to the Caprivi people? Of course not. On the contrary, it has offered them torture, abductions, and I said that the list is long, even exclusion from civil servants, la fonction publique, and the denial of their human rights simply for demanding the very right Namibia invokes here elsewhere. Madam Chair, I have to admit that Namibia is right about one thing, that the referendum is indeed dead and buried. And it is not Morocco saying so. It is the Security Council that says so. In all its successive resolutions, it says so. It underlines the inapplicability of the referendum in the Secretary General reports. So I invite Namibia to read the reports and to follow the process that is exclusively done at the level of Security Council. Morocco is on the right side of history, contrary to what Namibia said. Morocco is on the right side of history, the side of peace, stability, and development, and the regional unity. The right side of history is what Morocco follows. But the opposite, Namibia is not following the right side of history because Namibia is defending separatism, to cling to a referendum that is no longer applicable, that is dead and buried, and to ignore the will of international community. So just to say that to defend self-determination at home, not defending at home to the Caprivi people and preaching it here is ironic actually and it's tragic. And we call on the preacher to abide and respect what they're preaching about. I thank you.

And I'll call on the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Thank you, Madam Chair. As for the absurd claims made by the representative of the Israeli regime, a regime with no moral, legal or political standing to lecture others, I categorically reject and unequivocally condemn them. It is deeply ironic that a regime with a long record of aggression, crimes and defiance of international law dares to accuse others. Today, its representative has again attempted to distract this forum from the atrocities committed in Gaza and Lebanon by fabricating baseless allegations against Iran. Madam Chair, distinguished colleagues, by distorting the reality of resistance to occupation and apartheid by labeling it as terrorism, the Israeli regime engaged in a deceptive form of victim blaming. It means accusing others, including its own victims, of the very crimes it commits in order to deflect attention from its actions and evade accountability. The representative of the Israeli regime is once again attempting to portray his regime as the victim rather than the habitual perpetrator. But anyone who has seen Gaza knows that such a claim collapse under the weight of reality. The undeniable truth is that the Israeli regime has always been the victimizer. It established itself by displacing an indigenous people, seizing their lands, destroying their villages, and committing grave crimes to impose its existence. The creation and continuation of this regime have been inseparable from oppression. The principal victims yesterday, today, and still are the Palestinians and people of other neighboring countries. Over the past two years, the Israeli regime has not allowed international media from entering Gaza, not out of concern for journalist safety, for it has killed more than 200 Palestinian journalists, but because it seeks to conceal the truth. It wants no witness to its crimes. By suppressing access to information, it enables itself to lie with impunity and escape responsibility. Yesterday, the representative of the Israeli regime shed crocodile tears for the people of Iran. Let me be clear. No one is deceived by such an empty show. No one will accept expression of sympathy from a regime whose hands are stained with the blood of the Palestinian people through decades of occupation, aggression, and oppression, atrocities most brutally manifested in Gaza over the past two years. The Iranian people, above all, reject such gesture from such a source. I thank you, Madam Chair.

I now call on the representative of the DPRK.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My delegation would like to exercise the right of reply in response to the statement made by the United States. Today, the root cause of the ongoing security crisis around the world does not lie in the legitimate and natural exercise of sovereign rights of independent states. It lies in the conduct of the United States and its allies, who pursue their own geopolitical ambitions while disregarding the legitimate security concerns of other nations and regions, as well as the overall global security environment. It is the United States who spends astronomical military expenditure, introduces new missile defense system, Golden Dome, for what deploys its nuclear gravity bombs in the UK, stations ground-based medium-range missile systems in Japan. On the other hand, the United States is massively deploying strategic bombers, stealth fighters, and various reconnaissance assets in the vicinity of the DPRK. All of these are driving the regional and global security situation to the brink. We strongly urge United States to immediately stop its dangerous and destabilizing military moves. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

The following delegations are unable to exercise their right of reply due to time constraints. Namibia for a second intervention. They will be heard as the first speaker to exercise their right of reply at the next meeting. distinguished delegates, we have exhausted the time available for this meeting. The next meeting of the committee will be held tomorrow morning at 10 AM sharp in this conference room. Before adjourning, I would like to remind delegations that tomorrow, 17th of October, we will have meetings in both in the morning and in the afternoon. And now I would like to thank the interpreters for staying a little bit longer to enable us to continue our conversation. The meeting is adjourned.