UNGA Disarmament Index 2014
The 69th General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly was held from 24–30 September 2014. During the debate, Reaching Critical Will will extract all references made to arms control, disarmament, nuclear and conventional weapons, nuclear energy, the arms trade, and militarism.
United Nations Secretary-General
H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon
24 September 2014
Disarmament, militarism: “Disarmament is viewed as a distant dream, sabotaged by profiteers of perpetual warfare.”
Explosive weapons in populated areas: “It has been a terrible year for the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. From barrel bombs to beheadings, from the deliberate starvation of civilians to the assault on hospitals, UN shelters and aid convoys, human rights and the rule of law are under attack.”
Chemical weapons: The unity of the Security Council is crucial. When the Security Council acts as one, we see results, such as the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons programme.”Military spending: “When resources are devoted to ever more sophisticated arms instead of ever greater human potential, we are all less secure.”
UN General Assembly President
H.E. Mr. Sam Kutesa
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
Afghanistan
H.E. Mr. Zarar Ahmad Osmani, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2014
No relevant references.
Albania
H.E. Mr. Bujar Nishani, President
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Algeria
H.E. Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2014Nuclear weapons, WMD, disarmament, non-proliferation, nuclear energy: “The Ninth Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons must be able to focus on the narrow goals of complementarity disarmament, non-proliferation, and promoting peaceful uses of the atom. Much remains to be done to free the world of weapons of mass destruction.”
Andorra
H.E. Mr. Antoni Martí Petit, Head of Government
27 September 2014
No relevant references.
Angola
H.E. Mr. Manuel Vicente, Vice-President
29 September 2014Disarmament: “Our Organization should pay special attention to the resurgence of armed conflicts and their negative effects on populations, as well as to disarmament, the combat of trafficking in drugs and human beings….”
Antigua and Barbuda
H.E. Mr. Gaston Alphonso Browne, Prime Minister
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Armenia
H.E. Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, President
24 September 2014
Explosive weapons in populated areas: “The Resolutions [the UN Security Council Resolutions] contained calls upon the parties to cease bombardments and air strikes targeting the peaceful civilian population, to refrain from violating the principles of the international humanitarian law but instead Azerbaijan continued its indiscriminate bombardments of the civilian population. Azerbaijan did not spare children, women and old persons thus gravely violating all legal and moral norms of the international humanitarian law.”
Australia
H.E. Mr. Tony Abbott, Prime Minister
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Austria
H.E. Mr. Sebastian Kurz, Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs
27 September 2014
Nuclear weapons: “Some people have claimed that Ukraine would not be in this situation, had it not given up its nuclear weapons. This kind of thinking is dangerous. And we have to ask ourselves: Where would this lead us? As long as nuclear weapons exist, the risk of their use - on purpose or by accident - remains real. Let us be clear: nuclear weapons have the potential of ending life on this planet more than any other human action. And let us not forget that 69 years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki the humanitarian consequences of a single nuclear explosion are terrifying and long-lasting. The desire to prevent the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons should unite us all. We therefore hope that the next Conference on this subject - to be held in Vienna in December 2014 - will mark a real change of direction in international discussions on nuclear weapons.”
Azerbaijan
H.E. Mr. Elmar Maharram oglu Mammadyarov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Bahamas (The)
H.E. Mr. Frederick A. Mitchell, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration
30 September 2014
Arms trade: “We deposited the instrument for the Arms Trade Treaty, which helped to bring the number of countries to fifty (50) and so caused the Treaty to enter into force.”
Small arms and light weapons, arms trade: “The Bahamas has been grappling with serious crimes in our society, related, in large measure, to the inability of young males to settle disputes without regard to violence, and the resultant proliferation of gang activity and illicit drugs, small arms and light weapons, and ammunition trafficking. The Bahamas was, therefore, actively involved in the negotiations leading to the successful adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty and considered its adoption a landmark accomplishment of the UN. The Government believes the entry into force of the ATT will contribute to peace and security in The Bahamas. We deposited the Instrument of Ratification of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the Arms Trade Treaty on 25h September, 2014.”
Bahrain
H.E. Mr. Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
WMD, nuclear weapons, nuclear energy:“In view of our keen interest in working hard to achieve our principal goal which is to keep humanity from the scourges of wars, conflicts and disasters, and to reject attempts of hegemony and destabilization, we reiterate our call to make the Middle East, including the Arab Gulf region, a region free of weapons of mass destruction, notably nuclear weapons. Based on this principle, we support the efforts of the 5+1 group with a view to reaching a swift solution to the Iranian Nuclear programme, consistent with the provisions of the Non-proliferation Treaty and the Convention on Nuclear Safety, without prejudice to use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes which is a natural right for all states within the international system of safeguards.”
Bangladesh
H.E. Ms. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister
27 September 2014
No relevant references.
Barbados
H.E. Ms. Maxine Pamela Ometa McClean, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
30 September 2014
No relevant references.
Belarus
H.E. Mr. Vladimir Makei, Minister for Foreign Affairs
30 September 2014
No relevant references.
Belgium
H.E. Mr. Elio Di Rupo, Prime Minister
26 September 2014
Explosive weapons in populated areas: “With regard to the Middle East, first. We have seen this summer, with despair, rocket attacks on Israel and the massive bombing of Gaza.”
Belize
H.E. Mr. Wilfred Elrington, Attorney General, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
30 September 2014
No relevant references.
Benin
H.E. Dr. Boni Yayi, President
30 September 2014Nuclear weapons: “Benin calls for peaceful settlement of existing disputes in the field of non-
Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to mobilize the international community for the
keeping and the success of the next Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation.”
Bhutan
H.E. Mr. Lyonpo Damcho Dorji, Minister of Home and Cultural Affairs
30 September 2014
No relevant references.
Bolivia
H.E. Mr. Evo Morales, President
24 September 2014
Militarism: “Where the US intervene destruction, hate, misery and death are left behind, but it also leaves richness in the hands of those who benefit from the wars: the transnationals of the armament and oil industry.... The empire of the armament industry has to succumb to give place for the wisdom of life, the harmony of life and peace.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina
H.E. Mr. Nebojša Radmanović, Member of the Presidency
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Botswana
H.E. Mr. Phandu Skelemani, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
No relevant references.
Brazil
H.E Dilma Rousseff, President
24 September 2014
Militarism: “The use of force is incapable of eliminating the underlying causes of conflict. This is made clear by the persistence of the Question of Palestine; the systematic massacre of the Syrian people; the tragic national destructuring of Iraq; the serious insecurity in Libya; the conflicts in the Sahel; and the clashes in Ukraine. Each military intervention leads not to peace, but to the deterioration of these conflicts. We witness a tragic proliferation in the numbers of civilian victims and humanitarian catastrophes. We cannot allow these barbaric acts to increase, harming our ethical, moral and civilizational values. [...] The Security Council has been having difficulties in promoting peaceful solutions to those conflicts. A genuine reform of the Security Council is necessary to overcome the current paralysis. This process has been dragging on for too long.”
Cyber security: “It is essential that measures be taken to effectively protect human rights, not only offline but also online, as stated by the resolution on privacy in the digital age adopted by this General Assembly last year. Brazil and Germany promoted an important discussion on this matter in 2013. We intend to deepen it during this session. The report prepared by the High Commissioner for Human Rights will provide the basis for an evaluation of this issue. One year ago, I proposed the creation of a civil rights framework for the governance and use of the Internet, based on the principles of freedom of expression, privacy, net neutrality and cultural diversity. I am pleased to note that the international community has engaged, since then, in enhancing the current governance architecture of the Internet. An important step in this process was the holding, at Brazil's initiative, of the Global Multistakeholder Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance - NETmundial - in Sao Paulo, this April. The meeting brought together stakeholders from different regions of the world. discussions were held on the principles to follow and actions to undertake in order to guarantee that the Intemet will continue to develop in an open, democratic, free, multistakeholder and multilateral manner.”
Brunei Darussalam
H.M. Mr. Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Bulgaria
H.E. Mr. Rosen Plevneliev, President
24 September 2014
Arms trade: “The adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty was a major achievement of the international community. Just over a year later, the threshold of fifty ratifications has been reached this morning. I am glad that my country is among those fifty states that have made the entry into force of this important legal instrument a reality. The Arms Trade Treaty fills a serious gap in international law. It establishes regulations for trade in conventional arms at global level. Now, its implementation and universalization are of utmost importance.”
Burkina Faso
H.E. Mr. Djibrill Ypènè Bassolé, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
Disarmament, nuclear weapons, conventional weapons, arms trade: “... will be in vain without dealing with disarmament, therefore all of the sacrifices must be made so that together we will achieve a world which is free of nuclear weapons, so we will have a reduction of the risks of proliferation of conventional weapons as well as entry into force and universalization of the ATT.” [Unofficial translation]
Cabo Verde
H.E. Mr. Jorge Alberto Silva Borges, Minister for Foreign Affairs
30 September 2014
No relevant references.
Cambodia
H.E. Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister
29 September 20124
Nuclear weapons: “The Six-Party Talks should be resumed in order to explore possible avenue for peaceful dialogue in order to bring about a peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”
Cameroon
H.E. Mr. Pierre Moukoko Mbonjo, Minister for Foreign Affairs
25 September 2013
No relevant references.
Canada
H.E. Mr. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Central African Republic
H.E. Ms. Catherine Samba-Panza
27 September 2014
Disarmament, arms trade: “I would ask the great understanding ... the Sanctions Committee for the arms embargo to be reconsidered in Central African Republic. Parallel to this, it is also urgent to get out of Brazzaville forum which resulted in the signing of an agreement to cease hostilities, to go disarmament of all armed groups, a sector reform of the defense and of security and especially to the implementation of the program of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR).... To enable better living together among all Central, I always put on disarmament ... hearts and minds for a true national reconciliation.”
Small arms and light weapons, arms trade: “In the same way, the Central African Republic is against the proliferation of small arms and small arms that continue to be the subject of illegal trade and supplying the most dramatic conflicts in the world, particularly in Africa while. The Central African Republic commended the efforts made to achieve a signature of the treaty on the arms trade and the adoption of resolution 2117 (2013) of the Security Council on non-proliferation of small arms and small arms which it expects effective enforcement in its territory.” [Unofficial translation]
Chad
H.E. Mr. Idriss Déby Itno, President
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
Chile
H.E. Ms. Michelle Bachelet Jeria, President
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
China
H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2014
Nuclear energy, nuclear weapons: “The negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue have entered a crucial stage. All parties should show sincerity, make further efforts in the spirit of mutual respect, equality, coordination and mutual accommodation, and work hard to tackle the most difficult issue, so as to reach an early and win-win agreement that is comprehensive, fair and balanced.”
Nuclear weapons: “Regarding the Korean Peninsula, China calls on all parties to act in an objective and impartial way, remain committed to the goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, firmly uphold peace and stability on the peninsula, and endeavor to resolve the issues through dialogue and consultation. The Six Party Talks remain the only viable and effective way to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. The pressing task now is to restart the talks as soon as possible. The Korean nuclear issue should be dealt with by a sustainable, irreversible and effective dialogue process which addresses the concerns of all parties in a comprehensive and balanced way. There are still many uncertainties on the Korean Peninsula today. The parties concerned should all exercise restraint, refrain from making provocations, do more things that will help ease tension, and jointly uphold peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”
Colombia
H.E. Mr. Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, President
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Congo (The Republic of)
H.E. Mr. Denis Sassou Nguesso, President
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Costa Rica
H.E. Mr. Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, President
24 September 2014
Conventional weapons and arms trade treaty: “Because silence is not an option for us, we repudiate the transfer of conventional weapons into existing conflict zones. As one of the world leaders in the negotiation that led to the Arms Trade Treaty - an idea originally proposed by Ex-President Oscar Arias Sanchez, Noble Peace Prize laureate - we urge States to examine their laws and policies regulating the transfer and availability of arms and munitions, with a view to preventing access to them by those who will probably use them for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
“Trading with death is to be an accomplice to its atrocities. In this regard, it would be appropriate to ask ourselves: what is the ethical – not legal or regulatory – difference between trading arms that kill young people in less-developed countries and trading drugs that do the same thing in the planet’s richest countries?”
Explosive weapons in populated areas: “Because silence is not an option for us, Costa Rica repudiates the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas of Syria, Gaza and east Ukraine. Costa Rica urgently calls on the States to develop stricter rules and commitments to prohibit and restrict their use, not only because they are a violation of international humanitarian law, but also because taking action on this issue, here and now, is critical to reducing the incentives to non-combatants to take up arms and join the extremists.”
Cluster munitions: “Because silence is not an option for us, we also condemn the use of cluster munitions in Syria, South Sudan and Ukraine. As the host of the Fifth Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which took place in San Jose from September 2nd to 5th, my country will continue to repudiate the manufacture, use and trade of these weapons. We celebrate that Central America has now become the first region in the world to be declared free of cluster munitions and reiterate our commitment to continue promoting this Convention's universalisation.”
Nuclear weapons: “Because silence is not an option for us, we reiterate our rejection of nuclear weapons. No State should develop or possess nuclear weapons. Maintaining and modernizing nuclear weapons requires immense economic and human resources that are necessary for responding to the key challenges of our time, such as achieving the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. Costa Rica is ready to negotiate a new legally binding instrument for nuclear disarmament and we call on the States to comply with their commitments in this regard.”
Côte d’Ivoire
H.E. Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Croatia
H.E. Mr. Ivo Josipović, President
25 September 2014
Chemical weapons: “Croatia also commends the unprecedented international effort aimed at the destruction of the chemical weapons of the Syrian Arab Republic. The OPCW-UN Joint Mission successful work demonstrates how indispensable the role of the United Nations is.”
Landmines: “Croatia will continue providing assistance to the most vulnerable. Especially considering that we have rich expertise at programmes for building up resilience in humanitarian crisis, raising awareness of the dangers of land mines and other unexploded ordinances of war and providing psycho-social support to victims of violence.”
Non-proliferation, WMD, nuclear weapons: “The situation in the world brings the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the centre of attention. In this regard, the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is of a particular importance, and Croatia wishes that the Treaty is reinforced and strengthened by the outcomes of the Conference.”
Cuba
H.E. Mr. Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2014
Arms trade, military spending, nuclear weapons, conventional weapons: “We live in a globalized world which moves on towards multi-polarity in an era characterized by a threat to the survival of the human species. Neither the US government nor NATO would be able to reverse that trend by a new distribution of the world through the use of arms. However, but there is a serious risk that, in attempting to do that, the world becomes an ungovernable place. The huge nuclear and conventional arsenals accumulated, the imposed annual military expenditures amounting to 1 trillion 750 billion dollars and the 2 per cent increase of the military budget's share of the GDP required from all NATO member States will be of no use to cope with or eradicate poverty, hunger, epidemics, migration waves or avert the water, energy, food, environmental and global economy crisis.”
Cyber security: “It is necessary to reject the militarization of cyberspace, the illegal and covert intervention of the information systems of some countries with the purpose of using them to perpetrate aggressive actions against third countries and stir up conflicts; as well as the global espionage on governments and entire societies.”
Explosive weapons, militarism: “The US government is infringing upon International Law when it launches, in contempt for the United Nations Organization, unilateral bombings with complete disregard for national borders or sovereign States, even if it dissembles them under doubtful coalitions.”
Disarmament: “The solemn Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, which was signed by the Heads of State and Government of the region, consecrates the respect for the principles and rules of International Law; the promotion of a culture of peace, nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament; as well as the inalienable right of every State to choose its political, economic and social system.”
Cyprus
H.E. Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, President
26 September 2014
WMD: “Naturally, besides and beyond these regional conflicts, we should be vigilant and remind ourselves that other conventional and non-conventional challenges pose existential dangers which we have yet to tackle. These include, amongst others, human trafficking, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, global poverty, hunger and distress that intensify migration flows and create demographic changes, and epidemic spreads, such as the recent example of Ebola.”“We are at the forefront of efforts to fight terrorism and human trafficking, the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and to provide humanitarian aid and facilities when deemed necessary.”
Czech Republic
H.E. Mr. Lubomír Zaorálek, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2014
No relevant references.
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
H.E. Mr. Ri Su Yong, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2014
Militarism: “The present reality shows that, in lieu of the Security Council still mired in paralysis of the Cold War, a permanent member state seeks to act as military police of the world through military blocs or bilateral military alliances that have nothing to do with UN.”
Nuclear weapons: “The nuclear issue of the Korean peninsula is a matter of sovereignty and right to life of a UN member state before peace and security. The hostile policy, nuclear threat and stifling strategy pursued by the United States for more than half a century inevitably resulted in the decision of nuclear weapons state of the DPRK. The nuclear deterrent of the DPRK is not intended to threaten or attack others. Neither is it a bargaining chip to be exchange for something else. The nuclear issue will be resolved if and when the threat to our sovereignty and right to life is removed in substance with termination of the US hostile policy against the DPRK.”
Democratic Republic of the Congo
H.E. Mr. Joseph Kabila Kabange, President
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Denmark
H.E. Ms. Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Prime Minister
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
Dominica
H.E. Mr. Charles Angelo Savarin, President
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Dominican Republic
His Excellency Danilo Medina Sánchez, President
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
Ecuador
H.E. Mr. Leonardo Arizaga, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and Political Integration
30 September 2014
No relevant references.
Egypt
H.E. Mr. Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, President
24 September 2014
Arms trade: “…we must effectively stop the smuggling of arms into Libya, and deal relentlessly with the extremist movements that resort to weapons and violence, and that does not recognize the democratic process.”
El Salvador
H.E. Mr. Salvador Sánchez Cerén, President
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Equatorial Guinea
H.E. Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo
24 September 2014
No relevant language.
Eritrea
H.E. Mr Osman Mohammed Saleh, Minister for Foreign Affairs
30 September 2014
No relevant references.
Estonia
H.E. Mr. Toomas Hendrik Ilves
24 September 2014
Cyber security: “Free speech remains a crucial right. Some states have made efforts to stop the free flow of information on the Internet and to divide cyber space along state borders. This must be avoided. The Internet must remain a universal platform for uninhibited exchange of information. Estonia is a proud member of the Freedom Online Coalition, a community of 23 nations committed to promoting free speech online and the multi-stakeholder model of a free and open Internet. It is a global initiative that brings together governments, NGOs, entrepreneurs and think tanks. Last April the Freedom Online Coalition gathered in our capital and issued the Tallinn Agenda, a statement expressing our strongly shared conviction that all people are entitled to the same rights and freedoms, online as well as offline. This is not a lifestyle question. The Internet is a driver of economic growth and a key tool for development. Since the 1990s it has blossomed into a global network of nearly three billion users. Most of the next billion Internet users will come from developing countries. The UN post 2015 Development Agenda should recognize the importance of new technologies and e-services as a major contribution to the security and prosperity of the world. As we grow more dependent on digital services in our daily lives, we become more vulnerable to cyber attacks. Cyber security is essential not just for protecting rights, but also for economic prosperity. Cyber attacks can paralyze crucial services or infrastructure, they can cause enormous economic damage. Limiting access to or censoring the contents of the Internet, however, is not the answer to cyber insecurity.”
Ethiopia
H.E. Mr. Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
European Union
H.E. Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the Council
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Fiji
H.E. Mr. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister
27 September 2014
No relevant references.
Finland
His Excellency Sauli Niinistö, President
24 September 2014
Chemical weapons: “The international community showed determination last autumn after the chemical attacks in Syria. The OPCW-UN Joint Mission focused on the verification and destruction of Syria's chemical weapons program. Finland has worked alongside the Joint Mission in this demanding operation. We must remain vigilant. In order to fulfill its UN commitments as well as to comply with the CWC (Chemical Weapons Convention), Syria must take further action.”
France
H.E. Mr. Francois Hollande, Prime Minister
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
Gabon
H.E. Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba, President
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Gambia (The)
H.E. Mr. Al Hadji Yahya Jammeh, President
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Georgia
H.E. Mr. Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Germany
H.E. Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2014
No relevant references.
Ghana
H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama, President
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Greece
H.E. Mr. Evangelos Venizelos, Deputy Prime Minister
27 September 2014
No relevant references.
Grenada
H.E. Mr. Nickolas Steele, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
No relevant references.
Guatemala
H.E. Mr. Carlos Raúl Morales, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Guinea
H.E. Mr. Alpha Condé, President
26 September 2014
Small arms and light weapons: “We need to be further involved with the struggle against terrorism, extremism and intolerance, the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons which fuels trans-border crime and maritime insecurity. All of these which set back development. It is high time now to be the genuine builders of our destiny.”
Guinea-Bissau
H.E. Mr. Domingos Simões Pereira, Prime Minister
29 September 2014
No relevant references.
Guyana
H.E. Mr. Donald Rabindranauth Ramotar, President
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Haiti
H.E. Mr. Michel Joseph Martelly, President
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Holy See
Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State
29 September 2014
Militarism: “I offer to each of you my best wishes for your work, while trusting that this Session will spare no effort to put to an end the glamour of weapons that marks existing conflicts and that it will continue to foster the development of the entire human race, and in particular, the poorest among us.”
Honduras
H.E. Mr. Juan Orlando Hernández Alvarado, President
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
Hungary
H.E. Mr. János Áder, President
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Iceland
H.E. Mr. Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
Explosive weapons in populated areas: “I condemn the indiscriminate rocket attacks from Hamas and other militant organizations in Gaza against civilian targets in Israel. I also condemn the disproportionate use of force by the Israel Defense Force which resulted in more than 2000 deaths in Gaza”.
Chemical weapons, militarism: “The [Security] Council is also undermined when it proves incapable of defending civilians that are subject to foreign occupation or is unable to prevent the use of chemical weapons. The United Nations were founded to ensure that never again should the fate of nations be decided at the barrel of a gun.”
India
H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
27 September 2014
Disarmament, non-proliferation: “Let us continue to redouble our efforts to pursue universal global disarmament and non-proliferation.”
Indonesia
His Excellency Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
Iran
H.E Dr. Hassan Rouhani, President
25 September 2014
Nuclear weapons, nuclear energy: “We are of the view that the nuclear issue could only be resolved through negotiation, and those who may think of any other solution are committing a grave mistake. Any delay in arriving at a final agreement only raises the costs; not only at our expense but also at the expense of the economy and trade of the other parties as well as the development and security prospects of our region. No one should doubt that compromise and agreement on this issue is in the best interest of everyone especially that of the nations of the region.”
“The nuclear negotiations between Iran and the 5+1 have continued during the past year with seriousness and optimism on both sides.”
“We are committed to continue our peaceful nuclear program, including enrichment, and to enjoy our full nuclear rights on Iranian soil within the framework of international law.”
“A final accord regarding Iran's peaceful nuclear program can serve as the beginning of multilateral collaboration aimed at promoting security, peace and development in our region and beyond.”
“As you know, during the ongoing nuclear negotiations in this year, the Iranian government took some initiatives that created new favorable conditions, which resulted, at that phase, in the Geneva Joint Plan of Action. We are determined to continue our confidence building approach and our transparency in this process.”
“Arriving at a final comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran will be a historic opportunity for the West to show that it does not oppose the advancement and development of others and does not discriminate when it comes to adhering to international rules and regulations.”
Iraq
H.E. Mr. Mohammed Fuad Masum, President
26 September 2014
Disarmament, WMD, chemical weapons: “Ladies and gentlemen, fourteen years ago heads of states and governments committed to the realization of Development Goals by 2015 focusing on issues that remained to that moment vital. Foremost among which are social and economic development, the protection of international peace and security, the end of the arms race, the disarmament, the elimination of weapons of mass destruction whose very name incites fear among everyone, fighting terrorism and organized crime, guaranteeing human rights, and the effective coordination of humanitarian assistance efforts and the promotion of justice and international law. In this context we would like to remind you of our very bitter memory and experience as victims of WMD in Halabja, the peaceful Kurdish city attacked by chemical weapons in 1988 at the hands of the dictatorial regime.”
Ireland
H.E. Mr. Charles Flanagan, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
Explosive weapons in populated areas: “There must be assurance for all Israelis and Palestinians that they will not be subject to indiscriminate violence – whether that violence comes in the form of rocket attacks targeting Israel or retaliatory strikes with devastating consequences for Gaza”.
Israel
H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister
29 September 2014
Nuclear weapons: “So don’t be fooled by Iran’s manipulative charm offensive. It’s designed for one purpose, and for one purpose only: To lift the sanctions and remove the obstacles to Iran's path to the bomb. The Islamic Republic is now trying to bamboozle its way to an agreement that will remove the sanctions it still faces, and leave it with the capacity of thousands of centrifuges to enrich uranium. This would effectively cement Iran's place as a threshold military nuclear power. In the future, at a time of its choosing, Iran, the world’s most dangerous state in the world's most dangerous region, would obtain the world’s most dangerous weapons. Allowing that to happen would pose the gravest threat to us all. It’s one thing to confront militant Islamists on pick-up trucks, armed with Kalashnikov rifles. It’s another thing to confront militant Islamists armed with weapons of mass destruction.”
Chemical weapons, nuclear weapons: “I remember that last year, everyone here was rightly concerned about the chemical weapons in Syria, including the possibility that they would fall into the hands of terrorists. That didn't happen. And President Obama deserves great credit for leading the diplomatic effort to dismantle virtually all of Syria's chemical weapons capability. Imagine how much more dangerous the Islamic State, ISIS, would be if it possessed chemical weapons. Now imagine how much more dangerous the Islamic state of Iran would be if it possessed nuclear weapons.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Would you let ISIS enrich uranium? Would you let ISIS build a heavy water reactor? Would you let ISIS develop intercontinental ballistic missiles? Of course you wouldn’t. Then you mustn't let the Islamic State of Iran do those things either. Because here’s what will happen: Once Iran produces atomic bombs, all the charm and all the smiles will suddenly disappear. They’ll just vanish. It's then that the ayatollahs will show their true face and unleash their aggressive fanaticism on the entire world. There is only one responsible course of action to address this threat: Iran's nuclear military capabilities must be fully dismantled. Make no mistake – ISIS must be defeated. But to defeat ISIS and leave Iran as a threshold nuclear power is to win the battle and lose the war.”
Explosive weapons in populated areas: “For 50 days this past summer, Hamas fired thousands of rockets at Israel, many of them supplied by Iran. I want you to think about what your countries would do if thousands of rockets were fired at your cities. Imagine millions of your citizens having seconds at most to scramble to bomb shelters, day after day…. in an attempt to win the world’s sympathy, Hamas cynically used Palestinian civilians as human shields. It used schools, not just schools - UN schools, private homes, mosques, even hospitals to store and fire rockets at Israel. As Israel surgically struck at the rocket launchers and at the tunnels, Palestinian civilians were tragically but unintentionally killed. There are heartrending images that resulted, and these fueled libelous charges that Israel was deliberately targeting civilians. We were not.”
Italy
H.E. Mr. Matteo Renzi, Prime Minister
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Jamaica
H.E. Mr. Arnold Nicholson, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
27 September 2014
Arms trade: “Jamaica is concerned that the conflicts in Syria, the Gaza Strip, Iraq, Ukraine, South Sudan and Mall pose serious threats to regional and international security. These conflicts are neither limited in scope nor confined to national borders. The instability in Libya, Yemen and the Central African Republic is equally troubling. Of even greater concern are the resulting humanitarian crises and widespread violations of human rights. It is undeniable that these crises are fuelled by the growing propensity to funnel and transfer conventional arms to non-state actors, including rebel groups and separatist militias. The militarization of such groups often serves to further these conflicts rather than hasten their end.”
Disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control, small arms and light weapons, arms trade: “We reiterate our commitment to disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control. In the Caribbean, we are acutely aware of the pernicious impact of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, fuelled by the dangerous nexus with the drug trade. This engenders the single greatest cause for fear and insecurity amongst our citizens. For the past two decades we have remained resolute in our call for a global partnership to fight this scourge. We are pleased that with the 50th ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty earlier this week, this historic treaty will enter into force on 25th December.
“All states, whether small or large, have a role to play in the maintenance of international peace and security. Jamaica is therefore honoured to assume the Chairmanship of the First Committee of this 69th session, which reflects our commitment to advancing the objectives of disarmament, non- proliferation and arms control.”
Japan
H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister
25 September 2014
Nuclear weapons: “As the only country to have ever suffered the devastation of atomic bombings during wartime, Japan is prepared to lead discussions at the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to be convened next year, the 7oth anniversary of the atomic bombings. With regard to North Korea, Japan will work in coordination with relevant countries towards the comprehensive resolution of outstanding issues, including abduction, nuclear, and missile issues.”
Jordan
His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, King
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
Kazakhstan
H.E. Mr. Erlan A. Idrissov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2014
Militarism: “Rivalry between the major powers over perceived spheres of influence, markets and control over the production and transit of energy resources has increased. Tensions are on the rise, and the dangerous - and unacceptable - belief in the ‘right of power’ in world politics has strengthened. As a result, we are witnessing a renewed arms race and the use of military force to impose and extend one's influence.”
Nuclear weapons: “Kazakhstan is determined to play its full part in contributing to global peace and security. Two weeks ago, the UN General Assembly held an informal meeting to mark the International Day Against Nuclear Tests. We are pleased that all those present expressed their determination to bring about a world without nuclear weapons testing and, ultimately, nuclear weapons.
“This is an issue close to the hearts of the people of Kazakhstan who have witnessed and continue to live with the terrible legacy of nuclear testing. This is why we proposed the 29th of August as the day to raise awareness of this important issue, an initiative unanimously adopted by the GA in 2009. And this is why President Nazarbayev has launched The ATOM (Abolish Testing, Our Mission) Project, a global education campaign on the perils of nuclear testing. Already 100,000 people from more than 100 countries have signed The ATOM Project’s online petition calling for global decision makers to show leadership and work towards the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
“The closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and the renunciation of the world’s fourth largest nuclear arsenal -- both inherited from the Soviet Union upon our independence -- were defining moments for our nation and the starting point for the peaceful foreign policy we pursue today. We worked closely with the United States of America and the Russian Federation to ensure the nuclear facilities were made safe. This cooperation in the aftermath of the Cold War was, and still is, a model for partnership based on mutual trust.
“Strengthening the global non-proliferation regime has remained one of the most important priorities of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. The signing in May this year of the Protocol to the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia (CANWFZ) or Semipalatinsk Treaty by the P5 marked a major moment for nuclear security in our region. Kazakhstan has been a key driver in pushing through the Treaty and the Protocol. Together with our partners in Central Asia, we have worked hard to secure negative security assurances from the nuclear powers. We now urge the “nuclear five” countries to ratify the Protocol as soon as possible.
“The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons has been and remains the cornerstone of the non-proliferation regime. We strongly encourage all stakeholders to uphold the provisions of NPT and work towards the entry into force of CTBT.
“Sharing the objectives of the proposed Convention on General and Complete Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, we again call on all Member States to adopt the Universal Declaration on the Achievement of a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World. This would serve as the first step towards the Convention.”
Nuclear energy: “Reaffirming our commitment to the principle of equal rights of all countries to access nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, Kazakhstan stands ready to host the International Bank of Low-Enriched Uranium under the auspices of the IAEA.
Nuclear weapons, nuclear energy: “We also support the early political and diplomatic resolution of the situation around Iran’s nuclear program on the basis of strict compliance with the provisions of the NPT and IAEA regulations. Kazakhstan has helped break the deadlock in negotiations by hosting the first two rounds of resumed talks in Almaty last year. We welcome the latest P5+1 talks and strongly hope an agreement can be reached in November this year.”
Kenya
H.E. Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, President
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
Kuwait
H.E. Mr. Sheikh Jaber Al-mubarak Al-hamad Al Sabah, Prime Minister
25 September 2014
Nuclear weapons, nuclear energy: “On the same regional level, concerning Iran's nuclear program, the State of Kuwait supports the ongoing efforts to resolve this issue by peaceful means, that will guarantee the Islamic Republic of Iran, and all the countries in the region, the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, under the supervision and monitoring of the International Atomic Energy Agency. We also emphasize the importance of reaching international agreement on Iran's nuclear program, according to a full Iranian commitment to cooperate with the I.A.E.A., implementing all relevant Security Council resolutions and committing to enforce the highest standards of safety and security for its nuclear facilities.”
Kyrgyzstan
H.E. Mr. Erlan Abdyldayev, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
Uranium waste: “The restoration and security of uranium tailings located in Kyrgyzstan remains a serious transboundary problem in Central Asia. Most of tailings are concentrated in the densely populated areas of the country, and after the closure of industrial enterprises and production facilities, their condition has deteriorated in the last decade. Moreover, many of the tailings are exposed to the threat of landslides and floods, as they are located in seismically active regions near the coast of the major transboundary rivers in Central Asia.
“Despite the efforts made by the Kyrgyzstan government on the national level and the support from international programs and projects, serious social, economic, and environmental problems remain. Regarding these issues, I would like to urge the international community to provide assistance to Kyrgyzstan in solving the problem of radioactive and toxic waste for the full rehabilitation of the contaminated territories. This is within the framework of the UN General Assembly resolution, adopted during the 68th session, on "The Role of the International Community in Prevention the Radiation Threat in Central Asia.”
Lao People’s Democratic Republic (The)
H.E. Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister
29 September 2014
Explosive remnants of war, cluster munitions: “[A]s a landlocked and least developed country, the Lao PDR remains vulnerable and still faces numerous challenges, especially in achieving some MDG targets, including . . . minimizing the impacts of Unexploded Ordnances dropped during the war. Taking into account the importance of addressing UXO impact, the Lao PDR has adopted a localized MDG on addressing impact of UXO as its national MDG goal (MDG9). Reducing the impact caused by UXO remains a huge task and burden for the country as it hampers the national development and poverty eradication. In this light, the Lao PDR is one of the countries that initiated the process of formulating the Oslo Convention on Cluster Munitions. Therefore, full and effective implementation of the Oslo Convention is of great importance, which will lead to a total prohibition of all use, production and transfer of cluster munitions. In this connection, taking this opportunity we would like to convey our congratulations to Saint Kitts and Navis, Belize and the Republic of Congo on their ratification of the Oslo Convention, which has increased the total number of signatory states to 86. We hope that other countries will also consider becoming parties to this Convention.”
Latvia
H.E. Mr. Andris Bērziņš, President
25 September 2014
Chemical weapons: “We welcome the elimination of Syrian chemical weapons and related materials.”
Nuclear weapons, nuclear energy: “Latvia welcomes the ongoing dialogue between the E3+3 countries and Iran which aims to negotiate a comprehensive agreement on Iran’s nuclear program. The involved parties, first of all Iran, must make every effort to use the extended time frame to find a solution.”
Disarmament, non-proliferation, nuclear weapons: “We must work towards revitalizing the global disarmament and nonproliferation agenda. Success of the 2015 Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference next year depends on re-establishing trust and common purpose among states parties.”
Arms trade: “Latvia was one of the first states to sign and ratify the Arms Trade Treaty. We urge all UN members to do so.”
Lebanon
H.E. Mr. Tammam Salam, President of the Council of Ministers
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Lesotho
H.E. Mr. Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa, Minister of Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
WMD, nuclear weapons, disarmament: “The world has long come to terms with the dangers to humanity which is posed by the possession of weapons of mass destruction. That is why Lesotho continues to advocate for total abolition and destruction of all nuclear weapons. These weapons have no place in modern day civilized society, hence the call for a convention to ban all nuclear weapons. While working towards that goal, we must emphasize that full compliance with the provisions of the Treaty on Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is critical. By the same token, we call for the establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons in accordance with the 2010 NPT Review Conference.”
Liberia
H.E. Mr. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
No relevant references.
Libya
H.E. Mr. Agila Saleh Essa Gwaider, President of the House of Representatives
27 September 2014
Disarmament: “There is no doubt that those who witnessed the revolution of the Libyan people against dictatorship in 2011 were impressed by the courage, unity, awareness and the creative capabilities of the Libyan people . . . . But . . . [m]ost of the activists [have] left the political arena . . . because of intimidation, arrests and assassinations perpetrated by various armed groups against those who oppose their opinion or call for their disarmament and demobilization.”
Explosive weapons in populated areas, disarmament: “The indiscriminate shelling with heavy weaponry caused the exodus of most of its population which led the House of Representatives to declare the area a disaster area. This could not have happened if the international community took the situation in Libya seriously, assisted the government to establish a strong army, and added pressure for the disarmament of armed groups, and supported arming the police.”
Liechtenstein
H.E. Ms. Aurelia Frick, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
No relevant references.
Lithuania
H.E. Ms. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Luxembourg
H.E. Mr. Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister
26 September 2014
Explosive weapons in populated areas: “We must put an end to indiscriminate attacks against civilian populations, schools and hospitals, to the bombardment with barrel bombs, to the denial of humanitarian assistance, to the use of famine as a weapon of war.”
Weapons of mass destruction, nuclear weapons, nuclear energy: “The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction constitutes another clear threat. The joint plan of action agreed in Geneva on 24 November 2013 was an important milestone towards solving the Iranian nuclear issue. Here I would like to reiterate Luxembourg's full support to the efforts of the E3+3 group to arrive at a comprehensive settlement that restores trust in the exclusively peaceful purpose of the Iranian nuclear programme. I urge Iran to engage fully and in good faith, in order to allow these discussions to lead to the expected result as soon as possible.”
Small arms, arms trade: “In Africa as well as in Latin America, small arms are the real weapons of mass destruction. The devastating consequences of the unregulated arms trade are well documented. I am therefore particularly pleased that the Arms Trade Treaty, which has been approved last year with a very broad majority by this Assembly, will enter into force this year, on 25 December 2014. Luxembourg was honoured to be among the first States to sign and ratify it. It is our strong hope that we will be able to achieve our shared objective and make it a universal Treaty.”
Macedonia (the Former Yugoslav Republic of)
H.E. Mr. Gjorge Ivanov, President
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Madagascar
H.E. Mr. Hery Martial Rajaonarimampianina Rakotoarimanana, President
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Malawi
H.E. Mr. Arthur Peter Mutharika, President
25 September 2014
Disarmament, WMD, nuclear weapons: “In terms of international peace and security, I would like to share with this august gathering that Malawi has always rendered political support for the disarmament of all weapons of Mass Destruction. Towards this end, we have supported the resolution aimed at nuclear disarmament in the General Assembly. Over and above this, a couple of months ago, my country held an in-country workshop to come up with implementation mechanisms of resolution 1540 at national level to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery.”
Malaysia
H.E. Mr. Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister
26 September 2014
Militarism: “The question is: how should we respond? In the past, when the world has mobilized to fight extremists, we have launched wars without planning for peace. We have attacked one evil only to see a greater evil emerge.”
Explosive weapons in populated areas: “Malaysia, like so many countries around the world, was appalled by the brutalviolence against Palestinian civilians in Gaza. We strongly condemn Israel's disproportionate and indiscriminate attacks on Gaza, and its continuing violations of international and human rights laws. The use of heavy weapons in civilian areas - the obliteration of houses, mosques and schools - was an affront to common decency.”
Maldives
H.E. Mr. Mohamed Waheed, Former President and Special Envoy of the President
30 September 2014
No relevant references.
Mali
H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, President
27 September 2014
Small arms and light weapons: “Mali remains resolutely committed to the fight against the proliferation of small arms and the elimination of illegal trade in these weapons. To be effective, such measures must be carried out in synergy, as part of the consultation and cooperation at regional and international levels offers this opportunity.”
Disarmament, arms trade: “Similarly, the Government of Mali deplores the erosion of multilateralism in the field of disarmament, in particular, the prolonged paralysis afflicting Disarmament Commission. However, the adoption by the General Assembly on April 2, 2013 of the Treaty on Arms Trade Treaty should be welcomed because it
represents a real advance.” [Unofficial translation]
Malta
H.E. Mr. Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister
26 September 2014
Disarmament: “Indeed, disarmament and national reconciliation are the prerequisites for Libya to move forward.”
Marshall Islands
H.E. Mr. Christopher J. Loeak, President
26 September 2014
Nuclear weapons, disarmament: “As a former UN Trust Territory, the Republic of the Marshall Islands has a unique legacy shared by only a very few in this hall- it was the UN which helped set us on a path to independence - but it was also the UN which explicitly authorized the 67 nuclear tests conducted in our nation between 1946 and 1958. Our own history bears the burden- and contemporary impacts- of these tests. Our suffering could have been prevented by the United Nations - if only you had listened. Like many other nations, the Republic of the Marshall Islands believes that the awareness of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons must underpin all approaches and efforts towards nuclear disarmament. These facts speak for themselves, and were recognized two years ago by the UN Special Rapporteur. We look forward to addressing these issues further during our participation in the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review next year. It is essential for the survival of humanity that nuclear weapons are never used again, under any circumstances. The universal way to accomplish this is through the total elimination of such weapons. It should be our collective goal as the United Nations to not only stop the spread of nuclear weapons, but also to pursue the peace and security of a world without them.”
Mauritania
H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, President
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
Mexico
H.E. Mr. Enrique Peña Nieto, President
24 September 2014
Arms trade: “Regarding international peace and security, the United Nations must prevent arms trafficking, as well as the serious damages this phenomenon inflicts on our societies. The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) provides the necessary tools to tackle this growing challenge. However, it is vital that all nations sign the Treaty, but more importantly, that they all ratify it. The First Conference of the State Parties of the ATT [Arms Trade Treaty] will be held in Mexico, next year. It will be a great opportunity for all nations to work together to avoid arms from hurting children or vulnerable populations around the world.”
Nuclear weapons: “Additionally, we need the UN to overhaul its efforts in favor of nuclear disarmament. We must prevent that more countries or non-state actors have greater destruction capacity, and we must also demand that those already possessing nuclear weapons, reduce and eliminate them. If we want a safer world, we should guarantee that no one uses, or threats to use, nuclear power since it will effectively jeopardize the survival of humankind itself [sic].”
Micronesia (Federated States of)
H.E. Mr. Emanuel Mori, President
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Moldova
H.E. Ms. Natalia Gherman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Monaco
H.E. Mr. José Badia, Minister for External Relations
29 September 2014
No relevant references.
Mongolia
H.E. Mr. Elbegdorj Tsakhia, President
24 September 2014
Nuclear weapons: “As a country with a declared nuclear-weapon-free status Mongolia firmly believes that the Korean Peninsula must be nuclear-weapons-free.”
Montenegro
H.E. Mr. Filip Vujanović, President
24 September 2014
Disarmament and non-proliferation: “Montenegro strongly supports global efforts towards disarmament and non- proliferation.”
Arms trade: “This year, we ratified the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), becoming the 44th country to do so. Our ratification represents our contribution towards the entry into force of this historic Treaty as well as illustration of our firm commitment to the responsible global arms trade.”
Morocco
H.E. Mr. Abdelilah Benkirane, Prime Minister
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Mozambique
H.E. Mr. Oldemiro Marques Balói, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation
27 September 2014
Landmines: “As part of our commitment to peace and stability, in June, Mozambique hosted the Third Review Conference of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, also known as Ottawa Convention. I would like to seize this opportunity to thank all participants, as well as all partners that made this event a successful one. We are engaged to continue our efforts to declare the country free of land-mines, and thus contributing to fulfil one of the most important steps of our obligations under the Convention.”
Myanmar
H.E. Mr. Wunna Maung Lwin, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
WMD, nuclear weapons, disarmament: “Myanmar, as a peace-loving nation, abhors weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and is fully cognizant of the danger of nuclear weapons. Towards this end, Myanmar, since 1995, has annually tabled a draft resolution on Nuclear Disamament. We will be repeating this exercise at the current session of the General Assembly. We encourage all Member States to positively support our draft resolution. If we follow the roadmap in the resolution with a strong political will, a world free of nuclear weapons will be within ourgrasp sooner.”
Disarmament, biological weapons: “I would like to apprise this Assembly that Myanmar is making domestic preparations with a view to ratifying major international disarmament instruments. Considerable achievement have been made in this process. I am pleased to announce that the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw has just approved the Myanmar’s accession to the Bioloigcal Weapons Conventions-BWC today.”
Namibia
H.E. Mr. Hifikepunye Pohamba, President
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Nauru
H.E. Mr. Baron Divavesi Waqa, President
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Nepal
H.E. Mr. Sushil Koirala, Prime Minister
26 September 2014
Disarmament, WMD, nuclear weapons: “Nepal stands for a general and complete disarmament of all weapons of mass destruction. International peace and security cannot be achieved amidst continues race for armaments. We are concerned by the lack of progress in major multilateral negotiations on disarmament, particularly on nuclear disarmament.”
Small arms and light weapons: “We are also concerned for the lack of progress in controlling illicit transfer of small arms and light weapons.”
Military spending, disarmament: “We call upon the member states, especially the nuclear weapon states, to halt the militarization in all spheres, and step up measures for disarmament so as to release much-needed dividends for development.”
Disarmament: “We emphasize the promotion of peace and disarmament through dialogues, education and awareness creation, and wish to see an enlarged role of the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament based in Kathmandu.”
Netherlands (the Kingdom of)
H.E. Mr. Mark Rutte, Prime Minister
25 September 2014
Nuclear security: “The Constitution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands contains a unique article that says: The Government shall promote the development of the international legal order. This self-imposed responsibility comes from a long tradition of freedom, respect for the rule of law and our country's international orientation. In March 2014 we put this principle into practice once again when we hosted the Nuclear Security Summit, a conference on an important topic that must remain high on the international agenda.”
New Zealand
H.E. Mr. Murray McCully, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
No relevant references.
Nicaragua
H.E. Mr. Samuel Santos López, Minister for Foreign Affairs
30 September 2014
Nuclear weapons, disarmament: “Our urgency is to have a world free of nuclear weapons, a total and complete disarmament. Let us welcome September 26th as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, an initiative of the Non-Aligned Movement, as Cuba’s proposal.”
Niger
H.E. Mr. Mahamadou Issoufou, President
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Nigeria
H.E. Mr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
Norway
H.E. Ms. Erna Solberg, Prime Minister
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Oman
H.E. Mr. Yousef Bin Al-Alawi Bin Abdulla, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
30 September 2014
Nuclear weapons: “Regarding regional peace and security, my country supports the call for an international conference to free the Middle East region of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction, in line with the resolution adopted by the NPT Review Conference held in 1995 of the last century. My country calls upon NPT member states, especially the depository states, to take the necessary measures to achieve this goal in order to spare the region the dangers of tension and avoid confrontation.”
Pakistan
HE Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister
26 September 2014Nuclear weapons, disarmament, non-proliferation: “As a responsible nuclear weapon state, we will continue to support the objectives of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation; and pursue a policy of nuclear restraint and credible minimum deterrence. Pakistan is not participating in any arms race in the region. Yet we cannot be oblivious to the emerging security scenarios and buildup of armaments. We too, have the obligation to maintain a robust and reliable deterrence. I would reiterate the need for an inter-linked mechanism for pursuing nuclear restraint, conventional equilibrium and conflict resolution. To promote stability, we are prepared to explore new Confidence Building Measures.”Nuclear safety and security: “Pakistan has maintained the highest standards of nuclear safety and security. At the last Summit at The Hague that I attended, Pakistan's recent nuclear measures, especially the establishment of a Centre of Excellence, were appreciated. Pakistan is a State with advanced nuclear technology, with an experience of more than 40 years. We are a mainstream partner in the international non-proliferation regime. Pakistan also has a stringent national export control system that is fully harmonized with international export control regimes. Though a nonmember, we are abiding by their guidelines. Pakistan ought to be a part of these export control regimes, especially the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Pakistan also qualifies for full access to civil nuclear technology, to overcome its energy shortages and spur economic growth.”
Palau
H.E. Mr. Tommy Esang Remengesau, President
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Papua New Guinea
H.E. Mr. Rimbink Pato, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration
30 September 2014
No relevant references.
Palestine
H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President
26 September 2014
Explosive weapons in populated areas: “The occupying Power has chosen to defy the entire world by launching its war on Gaza, by which its jets and tanks brutally assassinated lives and devastated the homes, schools and dreams of thousands of Palestinian children, women and men and in reality destroying the remaining hopes for peace…. there was also no need for thousands of deadly raids and tons of explosives to remind the world that there is an occupation that must end and that there is a people that must be freed.”
Panama
H.E. Mr. Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez, President
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Paraguay
H.E. Mr. José Antonio Dos Santos, Permanent Representative
30 September 2014
Disarmament, non-proliferation, arms trade: “Disarmament, non-proliferation, and arms control, are not only essential factors to secure peace and international security, but also the guarantee for the most vulnerable countries to assure themselves to a sustainable economic and social development. Only strengthened by a solid multilateral system with strict adherence to the rule of law in international and national level, will we be able to guarantee our mutual security. We are convinced that the international instruments of universal character and obligatory disarmament, as well as the Arms Trade Treaty that will enter into force shortly, will help to refine the effectiveness of the existing regional initiatives to avoid that irresponsible actors will have access to these.”
Peru
H.E. Mr. Ollanta Humala Tasso, President
25 September 2014
Arms trade: “The international community faces ever growing phenomena that transcend borders. I am specifically referring to terrorism, transnational organized crime, the global drug problem, corruption, traffic in persons, sexual exploitation, trafficking of children and adolescents, and smuggling of arms, among others.”
Philippines
H.E. Mr. Albert Del Rosario, Secretary for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
WMD: “The Philippines is deeply concerned over the threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction from the Middle East to the Korean Peninsula. The Philippines has remained firm in its position on the total and complete elimination of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. The Philippines strongly believes that the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and All Other Weapons of Mass Destruction should be convened as soon as possible.”
Nuclear weapons: “The Six Party talks on the Korean Peninsula should re-start. We need a successful outcome to the 2015 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference to ensure the credibility of the Treaty. The Philippines strongly supports the ongoing discourse on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons that has been gaining ground within and outside the UN. We will continue to lend our voice to calls for nuclear disarmament until we have reached the goal of global zero.”
Landmines, IEDs, small arms, arms trade: The Philippines also deplores the use of landmines and improvised explosive devices, and the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, which, unfortunately still continue around the world.”
Poland
H.E. Mr. Bronisław Komorowski, President
25 September 2014
Disarmament: “Poland is strongly involved in various fields of activity conducted by our organisation, from human rights to disarmament.”
Portugal
H.E. Mr. Rui Machete, Minister of State and Foreign Affairs
27 September 2014
Nuclear weapons: “The positive signs that we witnessed a year ago regarding the Iranian nuclear program were confirmed with the signing of the Geneva "Joint Action Plan". A new political impetus is now needed. Portugal supports and encourages the ongoing negotiations with a view to a comprehensive agreement.”
Qatar
H.E. Mr. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-thani, Amir
24 September 2014
Explosive weapons in populated areas: “It is the duty of the world to persuade the Palestinians that those who killed their children in Gaza would not be received in the diplomatic forums as if they carried out a civilized action, for they have bombed Palesfinians from the air without staining their hands with blood.”
Explosive weapons in populated areas, chemical weapons: “The world remained unfazed even when Syrian children and women were being killed with chemical weapons, and when its populated neighborhoods were bombed with air-dropped barrels.”
Republic of Korea
H.E. Ms. Park Geun-hye, President
24 September 2014
Nuclear weapons: “We need to prevent the development and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction like nuclear weapons, which pose a fundamental threat to international peace and security.”
Nuclear weapons: “By the same token, I would underline the urgency of resolving the North Korean nuclear issue, which presents the single-greatest threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. The DPRK is the only country to have conducted a nuclear test in the 21st century. Its nuclear program is not only a serious threat to international peace, but also amounts to a total rejection of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the backbone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. The DPRK must make the decision to give up its nuclear weapons. The DPRK should follow in the footsteps of other countries that have abandoned their nuclear weapons in favor of reform and opening, and choose a different path that supports its economic development and improves the lives of its people.”
Chemical weapons: “In this regard, we welcome the elimination of Syria's chemical weapons through the joint efforts of the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), as well as the progress being made in addressing the Iranian nuclear issue.”
Nuclear safety: “I have also proposed creating a Northeast Asia nuclear safety consultative body to discuss nuclear safety issues - a topic of shared interest for the countries in the region.”
Romania
H.E. Mr. Victor-Viorel Ponta, Prime Minister
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Russian Federation
H.E. Mr. Sergey V. Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2014
Militarism: “Washington has openly declared its right to unilateral use of force anywhere to uphold its own interests. Military interference has become a norm - even despite the dismal outcome of all power operations that the U.S. has carried out over the recent years. The sustainability of the international system has been severely shaken by NATO bombardment of Yugoslavia, intervention in Iraq, attack against Libya and the failure of operation in Afghanistan. Only due to intensive diplomatic efforts the aggression against Syria was prevented in 2013. There is an involuntary impression that the goal of various ‘color revolutions’ and other projects to change unsuitable regimes is to provoke chaos and instability.”
Nuclear weapons, nuclear energy, chemical weapons: “The theory of the advantages of collective work has been supported by practice: this includes the progress in the settlement of situation around Iranian nuclear program and successful conclusion of chemical demilitarization of Syria. Besides, on the issue of chemical weapons we would like to obtain authentic information on the condition of chemical arsenals in Libya. We understand that our NATO colleagues after they bombed out this country in violation of a UNSG Resolution would not like to ‘stir up’ the mayhem they created. However, the problem of uncontrolled Libyan chemical arsenals is too serious to turn a blind eye on it. The UN Secretary General has an obligation to show his responsibility on this issue as well.”
Rwanda
H.E. Mr. Paul Kagame, President
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
H.E. Mr. Patrice Nisbett, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
No relevant references.
Saint Lucia
H.E. Mr. Alva Romanus Baptiste, Minister for External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation
30 September 2014
No relevant references.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
H.E. Camillo Gonsalves, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
Militarism: “International law and sovereign equality are the bulwarks against the type of naked aggression and unilateralism that have too often led our nations to the precipice of war.”
Samoa
H.E. Mr. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
San Marino
H.E. Mr. Pasquale Valentini, Minister for Foreign and Political Affairs
27 September 2014
No relevant references.
São Tomé and Príncipe
H.E. Mr. Gabriel Arcanjo Ferreira Da Costa, Prime Minister
29 September 2014
No relevant references.
Senegal
H.E. Mr. Mankeur Ndiaye, Minister for Foreign Affairs
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Serbia
H.E. Mr. Tomislav Nikolić, President
26 September 2014
Disarmament: “Traditionally, Serbia supports multilateral approach also in the field of disarmament and arms control, proceeding from the conviction that, in the world of rising interdependence and complexity, common challenges call for common solutions.”
Seychelles, Republic of
H.E. Mr. Jean-Paul Adam, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
No relevant references.
Sierra Leone
H.E. Mr. Samura Kamara, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
Arms trade: “We have also ratified the Arms Trade Treaty, the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and Protocols thereto. We are presently working towards their domestication.”
Singapore
H.E. Mr. K. Shanmugam, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
No relevant references.
Slovakia
H.E. Mr. Andrej Kiska, President
25 September 2014
Nuclear weapons: “Twenty years ago, Ukraine abandoned its nuclear program in exchange of security and territorial integrity guarantees granted by the United States, United Kingdom, China, France and the Russian Federation. Today, instead of marking important anniversary of achievement in the area of security and stability on the European Continent, we are witnessing an armed conflict and political instability. Instead of building a world without weapons of mass destruction we encourage those countries, which seek their security under lethal nuclear umbrella. Bitterly we forget the tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.”
Disarmament: “Disarmament is a key for elimination of the potential sources of tension and conflicts.”
Arms trade: “The signing of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) last year was an important step towards establishing common legal standards for regulating and monitoring of the international trade with conventional weapons. The Slovak Republic was among the first 50 countries that have ratified the Treaty. We are hopeful that the implementation of this Treaty will contribute towards eliminating the risk of illegal arms trade and thus strengthening global security.”
Slovenia
H.E. Mr. Borut Pahor, President
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Solomon Islands
H.E. Mr. Collin Beck, Permanent Representative
30 September 2014
No relevant references.
Somalia
H.E. Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President
26 September 2014
Militarism: “Solutions must not just be military in nature…. Military intervention can bring about a cessation of war, but it cannot propagate peace.”
South Africa
H.E. Mr. Jacob Zuma, President
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
South Sudan
H.E. Mr. Salva Kiir, President
27 September 2014
No relevant references.
Spain
His Majesty Don Felipe VI, King
24 September 2014
Militarism: “We live in times marked by the proliferation of conflicts--some of them especially devastating, due to their indiscriminate impact on civilians. Our primary objective must be to prevent wars, and when we fail in this, we must protect and assist the innocent victims. We must never relent in our efforts to resolve conflicts through diplomacy and through all of the instruments bestowed by the Charter of the United Nations.”
Sudan
H.E. Mr. Ali Ahmed Karti, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2014
Small arms and light weapons: “We also indicate in this regard the efforts of Sudan as regards border control and demarcation with the neighbouring states with a view to consolidating control posts and security operations to contain transnational crime including illegal transfer of small weapons and light arms.”
Suriname
H.E. Mr. Winston Lackin, Minister for Foreign Affairs
30 September 2014
Nuclear weapons: “From a military point of view, it [Latin America and the Caribbean] is an area of the world that is nuclear free. The Treaty of Tlatelolco has proven to be an effective instrument to monitor and maintain Latin America and the Caribbean, free from nuclear threats.”
Swaziland
H.E. Mr. Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, Prime Minister
29 September 2014
No relevant references.
Sweden
H.E. Mr. Mårten Grunditz, Permanent Representative
29 September 2014
No relevant references.
Switzerland
H.E. Mr. Didier Burkhalter, President
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
Syrian Arab Republic
H.E. Mr. Walid Al-Moualem, Deputy Prime Minister
29 September 2014
Chemical weapons: “Last September Syria accepted the initiative of the President of the Russian Federation H.E. Vladimir Putin, and joined the Convention of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, based on the need to establish in the Middle East a zone free of Nuclear Weapons and all Weapons of Mass Destruction. It also wanted to prove to the whole world its commitment to stand against any use of chemical weapons.”
“Syria fulfilled its obligations resulting from its accession to the Convention [on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons], and completed its commitments despite the prevailing difficult situation.”
“Syria is committed to the full implementation of the provisions of the Convention [on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons] as a state party, and within the framework of the OPCW. The big question that remains is whether those who are supplying the terrorists with this, and other types of weapons will stop their actions and abide by international law, in particular the Convention of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the Security Council resolutions related to terrorism?”
WMD, nuclear weapons, nuclear energy: “Syria stresses that establishing a zone free from all weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East is unachievable without the accession of Israel, the only nuclear power in the region, to all treaties banning such weapons, and to put its nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). At the same time, we emphasize the right of all countries to acquire and develop nuclear technology for peaceful uses.”
Tajikistan
H.E. Mr. Qohir Rasulzoda, Prime Minister
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Tanzania
H.E. Mr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President
25 September 2014
Arms trade: “Equally, important the menace of terrorism, illicit exploitation of natural resources; poaching; illicit trade in narcotic drugs and arms are making the world less secure.”
Explosive weapons in populated areas: “The horrifying scenes of bombing and death of innocent women, children as well as men in the recent hostilities between Israel and Palestine is heartbreaking.”
Thailand
H.E. Mr. General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister
27 September 2014
No relevant references.
Timor-Leste
H.E. Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister
25 September 2014
Arms trade: “Western democracies are prone to paying for costly international tribunals for judging genocides. They also tend to feel shocked by the human rights violations that occur in developing countries. The issue with Indonesia cannot be seen only in terms of the actions by its military and its generals. Instead, it must be seen within a broader perspective, in which the governments of the western powers sold sophisticated weapons like rifles, warships, fighters, ammunition, tanks and cannons to the Indonesian military, in addition to providing it with training, so that it could decimate the Timorese.”
Arms trade: “But what is truly intriguing is the fact that no decent country has yet advocated the need to promote inquiries that would ascertain the origin of the weapons used in the massacres of civilians, particularly women and children, so as to identify the true beneficiaries of this world crisis, who are the ones selling weapons to uncontrolled bands throughout the world.”
Militarism: “The responses to the crises faced by humankind cannot be exacerbated by the desire to end war by waging war. Instead, they must be based on the desire to build a world of peace, supported by dialogue and by an effort - herculean, if need be - to respond to the root causes of problems that lead to terrorism, racism, extremism and intolerance.”
Togo
H.E. Mr. Robert Dussey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation
29 September 2014
No relevant references.
Tonga
His Majesty King Tupou VI, King
27 September 2014
No relevant references.
Trinidad and Tobago
H.E. Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister
26 September 2014
Arms trade, small arms and light weapons: “I indicate that the time was right for the adoption of a treaty to regulate the international trade in conventional arms. It is now history that the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) has been adopted and after yesterday’s High Level Treaty Event now has the requisite number of States Parties for its entry into force, which is likely to be on December 25 of this year. Entry into force of the ATT will require State Parties to make important decisions to implement the provisions of the Treaty at the First Conference of State Parties which is likely to be convened by mid-2015.
“One of these decisions is on the location of the Secretariat of the ATT. Over a year ago, my country announced its candidature to have the ATT Secretariat located in Port of Spain. This bid had been endorsed by all CARICOM States and has to far received the support from a number of States from diverse regions. The hosting of this important body in a region which is disproportionately affected by the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and its association with other trans-boundary crimes, such as drug trafficking is a significant development. It will assist in the full and effective implementation of the Treaty, and contribute to the reduction, if not elimination of illegal weapons in the hands of criminals whose actions continue to threaten the sustainable development of our region. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is committed to providing the necessary resources to host the Secretariat, and this has been transmitted to all Members of the United Nations. Once more I call on all those States which have not as yet announced their support for our candidature to do so and ensure that the principle of equitable geographic distribution in the location of major global bodies is observed. No country or region must continue to have a monopoly in hosting important institutions which are established for the benefit of all.”
Tunisia
H.E. Mr. Mohamed Moncef Marzouki, President
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
Turkey
H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
Turkmenistan
H.E. Mr. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2014
Militarism: “Experience demonstrated vividly once again that there is no military solution to international and internal conflicts in today's world.”
Disarmament, militarism: “Turkmenistan believes that irreversible nature of the disarmament process is the most important pre-requisite for peaceful and creative development of the region and establishment of climate of trust, openness and cooperation in Central Asia. Our country proceeds from the assumption that inertia-like model of the past century that was based on constant build-up of armaments has become irrelevant in today's world. Furthermore it considerably hampers and sometimes directly undermines efforts of the states in the sphere of social and economic development, enhancement of people's standards of living and development of successful economic cooperation. It is our conviction: the less armaments there are in the world, the more stable and peaceful will its development be and there will be more trust and understanding between countries and peoples.”
WMD, nuclear weapons, non-proliferation, disarmament: “We stand for consistent strengthening of international and regional cooperation in reducing the arsenals of weapons of mass destruction and effective implementation of the non-proliferation regime. As a party to the fundamental international treaties and conventions of the United Nations in the sphere of disarmament, Turkmenistan intends to provide all-round support to those processes. In this connection while emphasizing the landmark nature of the first session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2015 Review Conference of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty that was held in Vienna in 2012 Turkmenistan believes that it is necessary to continue the current dialogue on measures aimed at expanding the international legal framework of nonproliferation.”
Nuclear weapons: “This dialogue becomes especially relevant in view of the practical steps that are being taken in order to implement the Treaty on the establishment of a nuclear-free zone in Central Asia.”
Disarmament: “Our country stands ready to engage in constructive cooperation with the Office of UN Deputy Secretary General on disarmament and participate in the implementation of a number of initiatives in this regard. Further improvement of existing UN structures can become another practical step in the implementation of consecutive measures in the sphere of disarmament. In this context we believe that it will be useful to consider the establishment of a UN Sub-regional Disarmament Center in Central Asia.”
Tuvalu
H.E. Mr. Enele Sosene Sopoga, Prime Minister
27 September 2014
No relevant references.
Uganda
H.E. Mr. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
United Arab Emirates
H.E. Mr. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2014
Nuclear energy, nuclear weapons: “[T]he UAE welcomes the ongoing negotiations between the P5+1 and Iran aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement on Iran’s nuclear program, and affirms that in order to avoid emergence of an arms race in the region, a final and strict agreement must be reached, as the region does not need further tension and instability. Nevertheless, the UAE believes that the peaceful use of nuclear energy is a necessity in order to meet the world’s growing energy demands, and we are proud to be pioneers of a successful model in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, that is compliant with the highest standards of transparency, safety and security.”
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
H.E. Mr. David Cameron, Prime Minister
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
United States of America
H.E. Mr. Barack Obama, President
24 September 2013
Militarism: “One hundred years ago, a World War claimed the lives of many millions, proving that with the terrible power of modern weaponry, the cause of empire leads to the graveyard.”
Nuclear weapons, chemical weapons: “Moreover, a different path is available – the path of diplomacy and peace and the ideals this institution is designed to uphold…. That’s what the United States and Russia have been able to do in past years – from reducing our nuclear stockpiles to meet our obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, to cooperating to remove and destroy Syria’s declared chemical weapons.”
Nuclear weapons: “America is pursuing a diplomatic resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue, as part of our commitment to stop the spread of nuclear weapons and pursue the peace and security of a world without them. This can only happen if Iran takes this historic opportunity. My message to Iran’s leaders and people is simple: do not let this opportunity pass. We can reach a solution that meets your energy needs while assuring the world that your program is peaceful.”
Uruguay
H.E. Mr. Luis Almagro, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2014
Explosive weapons in populated areas: “It is a hard and difficult world […], where military bombs hit and kill people in schools….”
“Uruguay deplores violence in all its forms, condemns the blockade of Gaza and its impact on human rights of the Palestinian population, the rocket attacks and mortar fire from the Gaza Strip against Israeli population and Israeli reprisals against the Gaza Stip.”
Chemical weapons: “We condemn the grave human rights violations and the fundamental rights, as well as all the violations to international humanitarian law committed towards the civilian population in Syria, in particular those relating to chemical weapons utilization, and their devastating impact on the civilian population.”
Uzbekistan
H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Kamilov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
H.E. Mr. Nicolás Maduro Moros, President
24 September 2014
No relevant references.
Viet Nam
H.E. Mr. Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister
27 September 2014
WMD, nuclear security and safety: “Global challenges remain high on the agenda of the international community. Terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, nuclear security and safety ... are issues of primary concern of the international community and require the enhancement of joint efforts.”
Yemen
H.E. Mr. Jamal Abdullah Al-Sallal, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Yemen
29 September 2014
No relevant references.
Zambia (The Republic of)
H.E. Mr. Harry Kalaba, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2014
No relevant references.
Zimbabwe
H.E. Mr. Robert Mugabe, President
25 September 2014
No relevant references.
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