UNGA Disarmament Index 2016
The 71st General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly will be held from 20–30 September 2016. During the debate, Reaching Critical Will will extract all references made to disarmament and arms control. Extracts are sorted alphabetically by country name on the following pages:
WILPF's PeaceWomen programme will post all references to gender and women.
UN Secretary-General
H.E. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the UN
20 September 2016
Use of explosive weapons in populated areas, arms transfers: "In today's world, the conflict in Syria is taking the greatest number of lives and sowing the widest instability. There is no military solution. Many groups have killed many innocents - but none more so than the Government of Syria, which continues to barrel bomb neighbourhoods and systematically torture thousands of detainees. Powerful patrons that keep feeding the war machine also have blood on their hands. Present in this Hall today are representatives of governments that' have ignored, facilitated, funded, participated in or even planned and carried out atrocities inflicted by all sides of the Syria conflict against Syrian civilians.
"Just when we think it cannot get any worse, the bar of depravity sinks lower. Yesterday's sickening, savage, and apparently deliberate attack on a UN-Syrian Arab Red Crescent aid convoy is the latest example. The United Nations has been forced to suspend aid convoys as a result of this outrage. The humanitarians delivering life-saving aid were heroes. Those who bombed them were cowards."
Cluster munitions, arms trade, nuclear weapons: "The control of murderous weapons has increased thanks to the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Arms Trade Treaty, as well as effective action against chemical weapons. We must build on this momentum to get closer to the ultimate objective: to eliminate nuclear weapons once and for all."
Nuclear weapons: "On the Korean Peninsula, the fifth nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has again threatened regional and international security. Meanwhile, the people's suffering and plight are worsening. I urge the leaders of the DPRK to change course and fulfil their obligations - to their own people and to the family of nations."
President of the General Assembly
H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson
20 September 2016
Disarmament, non-proliferation: "It is my hope that in collaboration with Member States and the wider UN community, it will also prove possible over coming months to take steps to advance other pressing agendas for the organization: ... To strive for greater consensus on disarmament and non-proliferation."
Afghanistan
H.E. Mr. Sarwar Danesh, Vice President
21 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: "Afghanistan supports the historic agreement between 5+1 countries and the Islamic Republic of Iran on the Iranian nuclear program within the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and deems implementation of this agreement as constructive for the provision of peace, stability, and sustainable development of the region and the world.
"In regards to nuclear programs, I should add that we believe, North Korea's tests of nuclear weapons are dangerous for the region and can endanger world peace and security."
Albania
H.E. Mr. Bujar Nishani, President
23 September 2016
No relevant references.
Algeria
H.E. Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, Deputy Prime Minister
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Andorra
H.E. Mr. Antoni Martí Petit, Prime Minister
23 September 2016
No relevant references.
Angola
H.E. Mr. Manuel Domingos Vicente, Vice-President
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Antigua and Barbuda
H.E. Mr. Gaston Alphonso Browne, Prime Minister
24 September 2016
No relevant references.
Argentina
H.E. Mr. Mauricio Macri, President
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Armenia
H.E. Mr. Edward Nalbandian, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016
No relevant references.
Australia
H.E. Mr. Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister
21 September 2016
Arms Trade Treaty: "Despite setbacks to lasting peace, notably in Syria, over the past five years the UN system has produced a global Arms Trade Treaty, a pivotal global agreement on climate change, a transformational set of sustainable development goals and a global blueprint for disaster risk reduction."
Nuclear testing, DPRK: "The UN's role illustrates that vigilance against the risk of new conflicts requires investing in – and protecting – the international rules based order. We were all reminded of this recently, when North Korea launched three medium-range ballistic missiles. Days later, Pyongyang conducted what we understand to be its largest ever nuclear test. The provocative and dangerous actions of this rogue state breach unanimously agreed United Nations Security Council Resolutions and threaten global peace and security.
[…]
Such provocation requires action and Australia will work with the Security Council to support additional sanctions against North Korea."
Non-proliferation: "This shows why it was important that Australia and Myanmar secured agreement at the East Asia Summit to a new commitment to end the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and to work to support non-proliferation."
Austria
H.E. Mr. Sebastian Kurz, Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs
21 September 2016
Weapons of mass destruction: "The destruction of military conflicts is rising, violent extremism is growing, and weapons of mass destruction still exist."
Nuclear weapons: "In a world that is less and less secure and faced with more and more tensions between big powers, nucelar disarmament remains the number one unfinished business. The recent nuclear tests by DPRK should be a warning signal. We all agree that the humanitarian consequences of the explosion of nuclear weapons would be unacceptable, and therefore, we have to finally get rid of all these nuclear weapons. Experience shows that the first step to eliminate weapons of mass destruction is to prohibit them through legally-binding norms. Together with other member states, Austria will table a draft resolution to convene negotiations on a legally-binding comprehensive instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons in 2017."
Explosive weapons: "We also need to put an end to the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. When such weapons are used in cities and other urban areas, as we have seen in Syria, more than 90 per cent of the victims are civilians. The destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, and other infrastructure forces people to leave. Without these weapons, the world would be a safer place, especially for children, women, and elderly people. We will therefore convene a meeting in early October to promote this goal and we hope for all your support."
Azerbaijan
H.E. Mr. Elmar Maharram olgu Mammadyarov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016
Armed violence, civilian impact: "Most recently, in early April this year Armenia conducted large-scale attacks against the civilian population of Azerbaijan. It subjected the densely populated areas of Azerbaijan, including schools, hospitals, and places of worship, to intensive fire with heavy artillery and large-caliber weapons. As a result of Armenia's reckless attacks, large numbers of Azerbaijani civilians, including children, women and elderly were killed or seriously wounded.
[…]
During those attacks, 34 towns and villages in Azerbaijan suffered severe destructions. Substantial damages were inflicted upon private and public property, including civilian critical infrastructure. In particular, hundreds of civilian buildings, among them residential houses, schools, kindergartens, cultural centres and other civilian facilities were ruined."
Bahamas
H.E. Mr. Frederick Mitchell, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016
No relevant references.
Bahrain
H.E. Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016
Armed conflict, civilian impact: "We underline the humanitarian role played by the Coalition forces and their determination not to target civilians."
Nuclear weapons: "The Kingdom of Bahrain reaffirms the need to join efforts to establish a zone free from weapons of mass destruction, notably nuclear weapons, in the Middle East, including the Arabian Gulf region, while stressing the right of countries to the use of nuclear power for peaceful purposes. Indeed, nuclear power was created to serve human beings and to improve their lives, not to harm them or be used as a lethal weapon to obliterate entire cities and kill millions of innocent people."
Bangladesh
H.E. Ms. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister
21 September 2016
Arms trade: "We have to identify the root causes of terrorism and violent extremism. At the same time, we have to find out the mentors, masterminds, abettors, financiers, arms suppliers and trainers of the terrorists and extremists, and take strong action against them."
"At the same time, I would like to urge the world community to plug the sources of fund, arms and ammunition as well as moral and material support for the militants and terrorists across the borders."
Barbados
H.E. Ms. Maxine Pamela Ometa McClean, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
24 September 2016
No relevant references.
Belarus
H.E. Mr. Valentin Rybakov, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016
No relevant references.
Belgium
H.E. Mr. Charles Michel, Prime Minister
23 September 2016
No relevant references.
Belize
H.E. Mr. Wilfred Elrington, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016
Armed violence: "Continuous illegal entry by armed trespassers from Guatemala persisted despite the valiant efforts of our border patrol to deter them. […] From time to time in the course of attempting to apprehend the trespassers, firearms are used by Belize security personnel and by the trespassers who are invariably armed."
Small arms and light weapons, armed violence: "The Report discloses, that the deceased had been detained by security personnel in Belize a mere month prior to the incident. At the time of detention he had in his possession, unlawfully, a .22 caliber rifle and wild game. […] And, that none of the wounds inflicted was caused by weapons carried by personnel of the Belize Defence Force. The wounds were inflicted by small caliber firearms carried on the night of the incident by two members of a local conservation Non Government Organisation (NGO) that made up the Belize Patrol. Shots were fired by both groups – the Guatemalans and the Belizean joint patrol – on that ill fated night."
Nuclear testing, DPRK: "We stand in solidarity with South Korea in the face of North Korea’s irresponsible experiment with nuclear and missile programmes, including the conducting of nuclear tests in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. We join the international community in condemning these actions which pose a clear and present danger not only to South Korea but to the entire world."
Benin
H.E. Mr. Patrice Athanase Guillaume Talon, President
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Bhutan
H.E. Mr. Lyonpo Damcho Dorji, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016
Arms trade, military spending: "The value of arms trade and global military expenditures has exceeded cold war levels."
Nuclear weapons: "The current stockpile of nuclear weapons is enough to destroy our planet hundreds of times over. This unimaginable destructive power still looms as a grave threat."
Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
H.E. Mr. Evo Morales Ayma, Constitutional President
21 September 2016
No relevant references.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
H.E. Mr. Bakir Izetbegović, Chairman of the Presidency
21 September 2016
No relevant references.
Botswana
H.E. Mr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, Vice-President
23 September 2016
Nuclear testing, DPRK: "We are equally concerned and strongly condemn the continued blatant contravention of international law and UN resolutions by North Korea through its continuous testing of ballistic missiles."
Brazil
H.E. Michel Temer, President
20 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: "Another reason for concern is the lack of progress in the agenda of nuclear disarmament. Today, there are more than 15,000 nuclear weapons in the world. That amounts to more than 15,000 threats to international peace and security.
"The most recent nuclear test in the Korean Peninsula is a reminder of the danger that nuclear proliferation also poses. Brazil can speak with the authority of a country where the use of nuclear energy exclusively for peaceful purposes is an obligation enshrined in the Constitution.
"Yet, not all news is bad. There are examples - already mentioned on different occasions - of what can be accomplished through dialogue. We celebrate that diplomacy has prevailed in the Iranian nuclear issue, and encourage full compliance with the agreements reached."
"This year, Brazil and Argentina celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Brazilian- Argentine Agency for Accounting and Control of Nuclear Materials. The Agency is the world's only bi-national organization responsible for applying nuclear safeguards. As Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stated, the Agency is an inspiration for regional and global efforts towards the elimination of nuclear weapons."
Arms trafficking: "Manifold challenges transcend national borders. Among them is drugs and weapons trafficking, which is felt in our cities, in our schools, and in our families."
Bulgaria
H.E. Mr. Rosen Plevneliev, President
22 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: "Bulgaria supports the implementation of the agreement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian Nuclear Programme which is an important step forward in achieving stability in the region. We hope that all agreed measures will be fully implemented."
"DPRK's fifth consecutive nuclear test carried out in September is a direct violation of the UN Security Council Resolutions. We urge the DPRK to suspend its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and to resume dialogue with the international community, including in the framework of the Six-Party talks."
Burkina Faso
H.E. Mr. Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, President
22 September 2016
Disarmament generally: "On the issue of disarmament in general, it is important to pursue our efforts to build trust between states."
Small arms and light weapons, ATT: "Indeed, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons poses a real threat to peace and security, particularly in Africa. Implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty significantly reduces this threat which hangs over the development of our states."
Weapons of mass destruction, conventional weapons: "Burkina Faso strongly supports action taken by the UN to achieve general and competely disarmament both in terms of weapons of mass destruction and conventional weapons."
Burundi
H.E. Mr. Alain Aimé Nyamitwe, Minister of External Affairs
24 September 2016
Weapons of mass destruction & terrorism: "Burundi participates also in other initiatives such as the CBRN, aimed at preventing terrorist groups or non-state actors from acquiring chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear substances, which, once in the hands of those groups, can be diverted for terrorist purposes.
Cabo Verde
H.E. Mr. Luis Filipe Lopes Tavares, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016
No relevant references.
Cambodia
H.E. Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016
Armed violence, civilian impact: "One word sums up the tragedy of our world: violence. The violence of war, terrorist violence, violence against civilians and particularly against childhood […]"
Cameroon
H.E. Mr. Paul Biya, President
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Canada
H.E. Mr. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Central African Republic
H.E. Mr. Faustin Archange Touadera, President
23 September 2016
Disarmament: "On peace and security, the government is determined to implement swiftly the programme for disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration and repatriation (DDRR) to allow all men and women from the Central African Republic and everywhere to live in peace and security in their country."
Security financing: "Security sector reform also remains a major concern for the government.
[…]
That is why I am taking this opportunity to urge widespread mobilisation of our partners ahead of the next Brussels conference scheduled on 17 November this year, in order to provide financing here."
Small arms and light weapons: "Defence and security forces must continue to bolster border controls against threats such as transnational crime, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, money laundering, the trafficking of drugs and narcotics, terrorism, and the trafficking of human beings."
Arms embargo: "The government has taken urgent measures to reestablish the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) which would allow us to put in place an inclusive republican army.
To this end, I plead on behalf of my country for a total lifting of the arms embargo imposed on the CAR. It must be remembered that if this was necessary in the past, it is no longer justified in this time of national reconstruction."
Chad
H.E. Mr. Idriss Déby Itno, President
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Chile
H.E. Mrs. Michelle Bachelet Jeria, President
21 September 2016
No relevant references.
China
H.E. Mr. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council
21 September 2016
Nuclear, Korean Peninsula: "On the Korean nuclear issue, we should remain committed to the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, uphold peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and seek consultation and a dialogue-based solution so as to maintain the international nuclear non-proliferation regime."
Colombia
H.E. Mr. Juan Manuel Santos Calderón
21 September 2016
Conflict in Colombia: "On August 24th the negotiators in Havana declared that everything was agreed and they adopted the final text of the Agreement for the Termination of the Conflict. Five days later, a bilateral and definitive ceasefire and cease of hostilities took place. Since then, there has not been a single death, a single wound, a single bullet fired, in the conflict with the FARC. The Agreement will be officially signed in Cartegna de Indias on September 26th. The people of Colombia will approve it through a plebiscite on October 2nd. From that moment on, the former members of the guerilla will start going to concentration areas where they will surrender their arms to the United Nations in a 6 month period, and will begin their process of reintegration into society. […] What does this Agreement mean? Above all it means that the FARC cease to exist as an armed group, reintegrate into society and may become a political movement within our democracy. […] This is the first time in the history of the resolution of armed conflicts in the world that a government and an illegal armed group agree on a transitional justice to submit to through an agreement and not through external imposition."
Anti-personnel mines: "The State and the FARC will work jointly to demine all of the national territory. This will also bring great benefits for the environment, not only for our country but also for the planet."
Comoros
H.E. Mr. Azali Assoumani, President
23 September 2016
No relevant references.
Congo
H.E. Mr. Jean-Claude Gakosso, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016
No relevant references.
Costa Rica
H.E. Mr. Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, President
20 September 2016
Arms trade: "The fight against terrorism must be framed in a strict observance of international law, including human rights law, international humanitarian law, and international law on refugees. In this context, we think this is the moment to make a respectful request to the countries that are yet to ratify the Arms Trade Treaty to do so without any further delay. The diversion of arms to extremist groups could be substantially reduced if more States were to implement the dis- positions set forth on this multilateral and legally binding instrument."
Nuclear weapons: "Costa Rica follows with concern, the constant launches of missiles and the execution of nuclear exercises by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the most recent one being on Septem- ber 9. In addition to voicing our strongest condemnation and rejection of these types of actions which represent a serious threat to peace, stability, and the regional and international security, we must demand that North Korea stops these punishable acts, which unequivocally violate relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, including the most recent one, resolution 2270 (2016)."
Côte d'Ivoire
H.E. Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Croatia
H.E. Ms. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, President
21 September 2016
Disarmament: "When countering global threats that impede the emergence and growth of resilient societies, the issue of disarmament must remain at the forefront."
Arms trade, cluster munitions: "Recently we have achieved success in the development and implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions."
Nuclear weapons: "At the same time, large parts of the UN disarmament machinery are stalled. The NPT 2015 review conference of state parties remains a case in point.I n our quest for a more secure global community, we must spare no effort in the field of nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Twenty years have passed since the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty was opened for signature, but we still mustinvigorate our determination to become a nuclear-test-free world."
Small arms, cyber, disarmament: "New technologies and the fourth industrial revolution are changing our lives for the better in more ways than one. However, they also have a negative impact on security and disarmament. Technology like 3D printing is changing the algorithm in the field of conventional weapons and the misuse of cyberspace might have unforeseen consequences in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear fields. Therefore, we must broaden our reach when it comes to disarmament topics and align it with new realities."
Cuba
H.E. Mr. Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla, Minister for Foreign Affairs
22 September 2016
Arms: "NATO's attempts to expand its presence closer to the Russian borders as well as the deployment of anti-missile systems are an incentive to the arms race and a threat to international peace and security."
Military bases: "The territory illegally occupied by the US naval base in Guantánamo against Cuba's will, must be returned to our country."
Cyprus
H.E. Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, President
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Czech Republic
H.E. Mr. Miloš Zeman, President
21 September 2016
No relevant references.
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
H.E. Mr. Ri Yong Ho, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016
Nuclear war, Korean Peninsula: "The Korean Peninsula has now been turned into the world's most dangerous hot spot which can even ignite the outbreak of a nuclear war."
"[T]he situation on the Korean peninsula is often engulfed in a state that goes out of control, whose root-cause squarely lies in the United States which does not abandon its hostile policy towards the DPRK but hold aggressive war exercises one after another in and around the Korean Peninsula.
The large joint military exercises conducted by the United States during the period of March to April and August to September this year were extremely provocative massive military manoeuvres involving troops of over half a million and strategic assets including strategic nuclear bombers and strategic nuclear submarines which are more than enough to wage an all-out war in terms of their scale.
These exercises are thoroughly offensive and aggressive nuclear war exercises in their nature as they mainly include operations of high precision strike, commando infiltrating, landing and pre-emptive nuclear strike aimed at "decapitation" of the leadership of the DPRK and "occupation of Pyongyang"."
Nuclear weapons, nuclear armament: "The DPRK had no other choice but to go nuclear inevitably after it has done everything possible to defend the national security from the constant nuclear threats from the United States which had continued over the century from the 1950s.
Our decision to strengthen nuclear armament is a righteous self-defensive measure to protect ourselves from the constant nuclear threats of the United States."
"Nevertheless, the UN Security Council declared that the DPRK's ongoing nuclear and ballistic missile-related activities are a clear threat to international peace and security, even in the so-called "Resolution 2270" which was fabricated most recently against the DPRK.
As for the legal basis of the "resolution", there is no provision either in the UN Charter and or in any other international code which stipulates that the nuclear and ballistic rocket activity poses a threat to the international peace and security.
In practice, those countries that had begun same activities far ahead of the DPRK have never been called into question at the UN Security Council.
Then, one cannot ask but on what ground and with what authority the Security Council adopted the "resolution" prohibiting nuclear and ballistic rocket activities of the DPRK. If the Security Council has such ground and authority, why is it that it does not take issue with those countries which conduct the same nuclear and ballistic rocket activities."
"Going nuclear armed is the policy of our state.
As long as there exists a nuclear weapon state in hostile relations with the DPRK, our national security and the peace on the Korean Peninsula can be defended only with reliable nuclear deterrence.
The reason why we had no other option but to strengthen our nuclear deterrence with all hearts and soul may not be easily understood by the European countries whose security sense has become less sensitive after quarter of a century since the end of the Cold War or those countries which have never experienced the nuclear weapons of a hostile power appearing at their doorstep and around their air space."
"The DPRK will continue to take measures to strengthen its national nuclear armed forces in both quantity and quality in order to defend the dignity and right to existence and safeguard genuine peace vis-à-vis the increased nuclear war threat of the United States."
"The United States raises the issue of human rights of the DPRK as it finds itself at a loss in dealing with the nuclear issue."
"The Government of the DPRK will push ahead with the vigorous struggle to remove the root cause of the threat of nuclear war imposed by the United States, by means of powerful nuclear deterrence, safeguard the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula, Asia and the world at large and to denuclearise the world."
Nuclear testing: "The successful nuclear warhead explosion test that we have conducted recently is a part of practical countermeasure to the racket of threats and sanctions of the hostile forces including the United States which viciously make an issue of the exercise of the right to self-defense of the DPRK."
Democratic Republic of the Congo
H.E. Mr. Raymond Tshibanda N'tungamulongo, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016
Armed groups: "The mandate of MONUSCO was extended to 31 March 2017 by Security Council Resolution 2272 in order to support the commendable efforts of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo towards eliminating those armed groups still resistant to peace."
Denmark
H.E. Mr. Ib Petersen, Permanent Representative
26 September 2016
Nuclear weapons, DPRK: "All countries must abide by their obligations under international law, including on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. In this regard, Denmark condemns the recent nuclear tests conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and urge the international society to respond in a strong and unified manner."
Dominica
H.E. Ms. Francine Baron, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016
Nuclear weapons, DPRK: "The threat posed by nuclear weapons especially by the determination of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to develop weapons with the ability to kill millions, is a major threat not only to its neighbours but to people everywhere.
The United Nations must, without hesitation, take strong and decisive action […] to eliminate the nuclear capability of the DPRK."
Dominican Republic
H.E. Mr. Danilo Medina Sánchez, President
21 September 2016
No relevant references.
Ecuador
H.E. Mr. Guillaume Long, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016
Nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction, explosive weapons: "[Ecuador] has no weapons of mass destruction. We are not at war with any country in the world, nor are we bombing anyone. We encourage the immediate entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty."
Egypt
H.E. Mr. Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, President
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
El Salvador
H.E. Mr. Salvador Sánchez Cerén, President
22 September 2016
Weapons of mass destruction (nuclear): "Maintaining peace and security at international levels is an essential requirement for the success of the 2030 Agenda. Therefore, we must restate that the ongoing existence of weapons of mass destruction is a disturbing threat for humanity, and we reaffirm that their use, or the threat of use, is a clear violation of the United Nations Charter as a crime against humanity, representing a clear violation of international law and international humanitarian law."
Equatorial Guinea
H.E. Mr. Agapito Mba Mokuy, Minister for Foreign Affairs
22 September 2016
Arms trade: "We recognise that the policy of partnering with one of the belligerent parties and supplying them with arms is a policy which only leads to death, suffering, desolation, and the attendant migrant and refugee crisis.
[…]
Let us therefore set off again on the path of dialogue, of saying no to the supply of arms."
Non-proliferation: "Let us stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and stop conflicts by alternative means which prioritise a culture of peace and not of warfare."
Eritrea
H.E. Mr. Osman Mohammed Saleh, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016
Armed violence: "We have been subjected to incessant hostility, sanctions, economic, financial and diplomatic pressures as well as armed attacks and psychological warfare."
Estonia
H.E. Mr. Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President
21 September 2016
No relevant references.
Ethiopia
H.E. Mr. Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister
21 September 2016
No relevant references.
European Union
H.E. Mr. Donald Tusk, President of the European Council
21 September 2016
Nuclear testing: "Our main goal will always be peace. This is as true for civil wars in the Middle East or Africa as it is for nuclear testing and territorial disputes in Asia."
Fiji
H.E. Mr. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Finland
H.E. Mr. Sauli Niinistö, President
21 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: “The recent nuclear test by North Korea is a cause for grave concern.”
Arms trade: “Problems with the illicit flow of conventional weapons continue but finally there is progress. The Arms Trade Treaty has entered into force. But two tasks remain: it needs to be adopted by all and implemented effectively.”
France
H.E. Mr. François Hollande, President
20 September 2016
Explosive weapons in populated areas & chemical weapons (Syria): "Finally, I call for action in Syria. The conflict has brought 400,000 deaths, Aleppo is a martyred city, thousands of children are crushed under bombs, whole communities are starving, humanitarian convoys are attacked, chemical weapons are used […]
France urges the Security Council to come together and move forward… Denouce and penalise the use of chemical weapons by the regime in the last few weeks. This is justice."
Gabon
H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016
Disarmament: "My country remains particularly concerned with the absence of progress in the processes of general and complete disarmament, and the paralysis of multilateral disarmament mechanisms. Resuming discussions requires the participation of all UN Member States. The status quo is not a viable solution."
Gambia
H.E. Ms. Isatou Njie Saidy, Vice-President
21 September 2016
No relevant references.
Georgia
H.E. Mr. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister
21 September 2016
No relevant references.
Germany
H.E. Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016
Nuclear testing, DPRK: "North Korea has violated central principles of international law in a blatant manner time and again. We condemn the latest nuclear test carried out by North Korea in the strongest possible terms. We cannot accept any country jeopardising security in its region."
Explosive weapons, Syria: "The hope raised by the ceasefire [in Syria] last week has vanished again following the deadly, cynical and despicable attack on humanitarian aid workers a few days ago.
Today, the situaiton could not be more serious! We are again faced with the choice: will we succeed in taking the first step towards a ceasefire which finally makes humanitarian access possible so that people receive what they need to survive. […] If we do not succeed, then all efforts to find a political solution will be lost in a hail of bombs."
"While the world is working flat out here in New York for a ceasefire, Assad is continuing to bomb Aleppo to bits."
Arms control, arms technology: "We have to be aware that genuine and lasting security in Europe can only take the form of cooperative security.
That is why I have proposed that greater attention be paid once more to arms control in Europe. This is not meant as a substitute for obligations which have not been met. Rather, I am thinking here of the new challenges and new technologies and threats, many of which are not even mentioned in existing documents. Our goal is more security for everyone."
Ghana
H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama, President
21 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: “The era of the cold war created a paradoxical safety and security. The bipolar world and the arms race assured mutual destruction from any nuclear war. The world was more predictable. Those of us in developing countries hid behind our shield of the Non-Aligned Movement. We marched against nuclear armaments and envisioned the day the nuclear arms race would end so the trillions of dollars spent by the superpowers on nuclear weapons would yield a dividend that will create a life of prosperity for all people on earth.”
Greece
H.E. Mr. Alexis Tsipras, Prime Minister
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Grenada
H.E. Mr. Elvin Nimrod, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016
No relevant references.
Guatemala
H.E. Mr. Jimmy Morales, President
22 September 2016
Nuclear testing, non-proliferation: "Likewise, we reiterate our strong condemnation of the nuclear tests recently carried out on the Korean Peninsula, which consitute a flagrant violation of Security Council resolutions and the nuclear non-proliferation regime."
Guinea
H.E. Mr. Alpha Condé, President
23 September 2016
Illicit arms trade & women: "Substantial investments in empowerment for women and youth are all the more necessary in the face of the scourges of terrorism, extremism and intolerance, and the illicit traffic of arms and drugs."
Guinea-Bissau
H.E. Mr. José Mário Vaz, President
21 September 2016
Disarmament and arms control: “As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, I would also like to reiterate to this august assembly our request for the United Nations support ... for the implementation of the important Safety and Security Sector Reform, namely with respect to: The control of weapons and management of materiel; The construction of armories and renovation of barracks; The securing of funds for the reintegration of demobilized troops.”
Guyana
H.E. Mr. David Arthur Granger, President
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Haiti
H.E. Mr. Jocelerme Privert, Acting Head of State
23 September 2016
No relevant references.
Holy See
H.E. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State
22 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: "Today, as during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, there is the recurrence of the threat of nuclear conflict with its terrible consequences."
Honduras
H.E. Mr. Juan Orlando Hernández Alvarado, President
21 September 2016
Illicit arms trade: "Organised crime is a transnational monster, without nationality or scruples. It has several faces: the movement of criminals, the money laundering, trafficking of people, drugs and weapons."
Hungary
H.E. Mr. Péter Szijjártó, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016
Arms trade: "We have sent a significant amount of ammunition to the peshmerga army […]"
Honduras
H.E. Mr. Juan Orlando Hernández Alvarado, President
21 September 2016
Illicit arms trade: "Organised crime is a transnational monster, without nationality or scruples. It has several faces: the movement of criminals, the money laundering, trafficking of people, drugs and weapons."
Hungary
H.E. Mr. Péter Szijjártó, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016
Arms trade: "We have sent a significant amount of ammunition to the peshmerga army […]"
Iceland
H.E. Ms. Lilja Alfredsdóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016
Explosive weapons: "The Syrian conflict continues to inflict suffering on millions. I strongly condemn the attack on the UN humanitarian convoy earlier this week, and the new attacks on Aleppo."
Nuclear weapons, DPRK: "It is shocking to see how the Government of North Korea continues its illegal pursuit of nuclear weapons. Risking the security of its own people, the entire region and international security. Iceland strongly condemns North Korea's nuclear testing, in breach of universally accepted norms and international law."
India
H.E. Ms. Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs
26 September 2016
No relevant references.
Indonesia
H.E. Mr. Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, Vice-President
23 September 2016
No relevant references.
Iran
H.E. Mr. Hassan Rouhani, President
22 September 2016
Explosive weapons, Yemen: "The defenceless people of Yemen are subjected to daily bombardment."
Iranian nuclear program: "The experience acquired through dialogue between Iran and the group of 5+1 and the fruition of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) are indicative of the success that we would achieve through moderation, constructive interaction and the promotion of dialogue; a policy that brought a long, complicated and unnecessary crisis to an end by adopted a win-win approach. This deal confirmed the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program through devising confidence-building mechanisms, closing the so-called "possible military dimension" file and reinstating Iran's right to develop a peaceful nuclear program. This deal also put an end to unfounded concerns and led to the removal of the brutal sanctions against Iran. […] And today, the Security Council and the IAEA have formally accepted Iran's peaceful nuclear program."
Iraq
H.E. Mr. Haider Al-Abadi, Prime Minister
22 September 2016
llicit arms trade: "We call on the nations worldwide to commit to the application of the resolutions of the UN Security Council pertinent to the prevention of support, finance or armament to the terrorist groups."
Ireland
H.E. Mr. Charles Flanagan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
24 September 2016
Disarmament, non-proliferation: "Allied to our commitment to conflict prevention and resolution, Ireland has unwaveringly championed disarmament and non-proliferation which must be to the fore of our collective efforts to prevent or minimise the impact of future conflict."
Nuclear, conventional, biological and chemical weapons: "We must all be mindful of the grave humanitarian consequences of any nuclear detonation, as well as the devastating impact of conventional, biological and chemical weapons."
Nuclear testing: "We have seen this year, and even this month, how one member of the UN can show in stark terms the reality of the risk of nuclear detonation."
Nuclear disarmament: "Ireland wishes to see genuine progress on multilateral nuclear disarmament, building on the work of the Open-Ended Working Group."
Explosive weapons: "We are also concerned at the evidence of harm to civilians from the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas."
Gender & disarmament, nuclear weapons, SALW, illicit arms trade: "The disproportionate gendered impacts of nuclear weapons and of illegal arms transfers and illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons, is also of great concern to us, as is the need to ensure greater gender balance in all disarmament discussions."
Israel
H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister
22 September 2016
Cybersecurity: "How about cybersecurity? That's an issue that affects everyone. Israel accounts for one-tenth of one percent of the world's population, yet last year we attracted 20% of the global private investment in cybersecurity. I want you to digest that number. In cyber, Israel is punching a whopping 200 times above its weight. So Israel is also a global cyber power. If hackers are targeting your banks, your planes, your power grids and just about everything else, Israel can offer indispensable help."
Nuclear weapons: "[A]n interview [2013] with a senior Palestinian official, Jibril Rajoub, who says that if he had a nuclear bomb, he'd detonate it over Israel that very day."
Nuclear weapons, Iran: "This year, Iran has fired ballistic missiles in direct defiance of Security Council Resolutions.
[…]
With the nuclear constraints on Iran one year closer to being removed, let me be clear: Israel will not allow the terrorist regime in Iran to develop nuclear weapons – not now, not in a decade, not ever."
Italy
H.E. Mr. Matteo Renzi, President of the Council of Ministers
20 September 2016
Cybersecurity, security spending: "We are very proud that the Italian Government has approved a law, with the support of the representatives in Parliament, determining that for every euro invested in security, policing, cyber-technology and cyber-security, one euro must be invested in culture, education, the creation of nursery schools, theatres, places of the spirit and the soul because this is another way to fight the crisis of our era."
Jamaica
H.E. Mr. Andrew Holness, Prime Minister
23 September 2016
Small arms and light weapons, illicit arms trade: "Mr President, the international community must also move with greater alacrity towards eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.
Jamaica is acutely aware of the destruction that can be wrought, as a result of easy access to small arms and light weapons, particularly when in the possession of sophisticated networks of organised criminal groups."
Illicit arms trade: "Our strategic location, which is extremely favourable for trade and logistics, provides a potential transit point for illicit activities."
ATT: "Jamaica has been a staunch supporter of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and we are working towards its full and effective implementation.
We call on all arms exporting countries, to abide by their legally binding obligations under the Treaty."
UNPoA: "Jamaica was honoured to have Chaired the recently convened 6th Biennial Meeting of States on the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons."
Japan
H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister
21 September 2016
Nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles: “North Korea launched SLBMs. Immediately after that it fired three ballistic missiles simultaneously, each traversing 1,000 kilometers to reach Japan's exclusive economic Zone. It is purely a matter of good fortune that no commercial aircraft or ships suffered any damage during this incident. This year alone, North Korea has launched a total of 21 ballistic missiles. In addition, it claims to have successfully detonated a nuclear warhead in a test on September 9. That nuclear test followed another test Conducted this past January. This series of launches of missiles and a detonation of a warhead does change the landscape Completely.
North Korea's nuclear development and the repeated launches of ballistic missiles are two sides of the same coin. Right before our eyes, North Korea is Carrying out a plan about which there can be no doubt. There is no alternative but to say that the threat has now reached a dimension altogether different from what has transpired until now. We must therefore respond to this in a manner entirely distinct from our responses thus far. We must concentrate our strengths and thwart North Korea's plans. Immediately upon hearing the report of the nuclear test, I telephoned President Barack Obama of the United States. After that I also held telephone talks with President Park Geun-hye of the Republic of Korea. We all agreed that our three countries will demonstrate a resolute attitude towards North Korea, acting in close coordination.”
"Ballistic missiles to be launched from submarines. Nuclear warheads to be mounted on balistic missiles. North Korea is without a doubt poised to have these in its possession.”
Nuclear weapons: “It was only four months ago that President Obama visited Hiroshima, where countless innocent citizens fell victim to the first atomic bomb ever detonated [...] we must never, even for the briefest moment, letup in our efforts towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons.”
“Sixty years ago, what the Japanese who had attained a seat in this distinguished Chamber sought from the depths of their hearts, and thereafter consistently and absolutely unfailingly wished for and advocated for was, single-mindedly, world peace and the elimination of nuclear weapons. It was a pledge to be passed down for generations not to stop walking along the path which would make that a reality. Mr. President, on this occasion today, I had originally intended to look back on the path we have walked these 60 years and convey a quiet reflection on how Japan has travelled that road, aiming at world peace and prosperity.
However, now, with the North Korea. threat reaching a new level, I feel I must state my determination in light of Japan having upheld its pledge these 60 years. Now, as the World concentrates on whether the United Nations will thwart North Korea’s armbitions or the Security Council will be able to confront North Korea in a united way, Japan, as a Security Council member, will lead the Security Council's discussions.”
Jordan
H.M. Mr. Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, King
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Kazakhstan
H.E. Mr. Erlan Idrissov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
22 September 2016
Nuclear disarmament: "The President's Manifesto identifies lack of trust between major nations and regional groups as the main obstacle in the progress towards a true community of nations. This statement is especially evident when we address the issue of nuclear disarmament and the passionate initiative of the President of Kazakhstan to achieve by 2045, the year of the UN's Centenary, a world free of nuclear weapons. As a country which 25 years ago closed the largest nuclear test site on its territory and renounced the world's fourth largest nuclear arsenal, we have the full moral right and responsibility to push forward the disarmament process."
"On August 29th, the international day against nuclear tests, Astana played host to a major international conference which stressed the urgency in dealing with the nuclear threat and generated massive support for the anti-nuclear movement. Its outcome document calls upon nuclear states to honour their obligations and take practical steps to achieve "nuclear zero". In November the Astana Peace Summit will be convened in my country to craft a viable strategic approach for our objective of global peace and security, with nuclear disarmament being a crucial element of any future peace efforts."
"It was our country who initiated a GA resolution on the achievement of a nuclear weapon free world, which was adopted in December 2015. We are a host of the international bank of low-enriched nuclear fuel designed for peaceful use. This summer we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Treaty on the Central Asian nuclear weapon free zone. Also known as the Treaty of Semipalatinsk, this was the last major breakthrough in global disarmament. We support the establishment of similar zones across the globe, and especially one in the Middle East, where we believe that such a measure will strengthen global and regional security."
Open-ended working group on nuclear disarmament: "Regretfully, international negotiations on nuclear disarmament have stalled, while numerous loopholes in international law are used to sidestep the ban on military use of nuclear technology. That is why we endorsed the report of the August meeting of the open-ended working group on nuclear disarmament. The group recommends convening a conference next year to start negotiations on a comprehensive and complete nuclear disarmament, with a view to eventually stigmatise the possession of nuclear weapons. At the same time we continue to support the Conference on Disarmament and hope that its members will generate enough political will to revitalise the work of this important body to achieve its ultimate goal of a nuclear free world."
Nuclear disarmament, Kazakhstan: "I remember that back in 1991 some observers doubted Kazakhstan's ability to survive as a sovereign nation, given its multi-ethnic, religiously diverse population, an unbalanced economy and the huge material and moral burden in the form of military infrastructure and a nuclear arsenal. That legacy was a challenge which we managed to turn into an opportunity."
Nuclear testing: "As a CTBT co-chair we stand for the complete ban on nuclear tests and believe that the unacceptable and irresponsible actions of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea seriously undermined stability and security in North East Asia and around the world. Furthermore it pushed back the whole disarmament process. Controlling delivery means is a vital element of disarmament. As a chair of the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missiles Proliferation, we are tabling a GA draft resolution in October to stress the importance of the universal application of the Hague Code."
Iranian nuclear program: "Our record of promoting a mutually beneficial deal on the Iranian nuclear programme is well known. My country helped break the deadlock on the Iranian programme by pursuing a constructive dialogue among stakeholders and hosting two rounds of multilateral talks. In December last year Kazakhstan provided natural uranium material to Iran as part of an IAEA-monitored transaction. It is our intention to reinvest the political dividends we have gained in furthering progress in this direction."
Kenya
H.E. Mr. William Ruto, Vice-President
21 September 2016
No relevant references.
Lao People's Democratic Republic
H.E. Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister
23 September 2016
No relevant references.
Latvia
H.E. Mr. Raimonds Vējonis, President
21 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: "On the other hand, the irresponsible actions of NorthKorea, including repeated nuclear tests, undermine the security of all countries in the region and beyond."
Lebanon
H.E. Mr. Tammam Salam, President of the Council of Ministers
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Lesotho
H.E. Mr. Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili, Prime Minister
23 September 2016
Weapons of mass destruction: "We recognise the role of disarmament in the maintenance of international peace and security; and Lesotho remains fully committed to the implementation of the provisions of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) which aims to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons."
Nuclear disarmament: "We therefore call upon all nuclear states to start making deep cuts in their current nuclear weapons stockpiles, with the ultimate aim of finally eliminating them. The Africa Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty which came into force in July, 2009 is a clear demonstration of the continent's desire for peace and genuine nuclear disarmament. We should all remain true to the principle of "responsibility to protect", which the United Nations, unanimously, adopted nearly a decade ago."
Liberia
H.E. Ms. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President
22 September 2016
SALW, illicit arms trade: "With a view to strengthening peace and security within ECOWAS, we have emphasised the fight against organised crime, especially cross-border trade in illicit small arms and light weapons, drug and human trafficking, and piracy."
Libya
H.E. Mr. Faiez Mustafa Serraj, President
22 September 2016
Arms control: "We hope in particular that the Security Council will lift the arms embargo and we would call for the convening of an international high-level conference under the auspices of the UN so that we can fight terrorism."
Weapons of mass destruction, chemical weapons: "Libya is participating in international efforts for disarmament, especially for weapons of mass destruction, as part of our respect for international peace and security. My country, after joining the OPCW, has announced that it has reserves of chemical products and got rid of them with the help of inspectors from the organisation. So we welcome Security Council Resolution 2298 which seeks to give support to Libya to transfer the rest of the type-2 reserves outside of my country. This has been done with the help of Denmark and Germany and we thank those two countries."
Liechtenstein
H.E. Ms. Aurelia Frick, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016
No relevant references.
Lithuania
H.E. Ms. Dalia Grybauskaité, President
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Luxembourg
H.E. Mr. Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister
23 September 2016
Armed conflict, proliferation of arms: "Armed conflict, the proliferation of arms, absence of development, violent extremism, radicalisation and terrorism, threats posed by climate change, bad governance, and violations of human rights continue to affect us today."
Armed conflict, civilian impact: "Armed conflicts are perpetuated or risk erupting, threatening the lives of thousands of civilians. They are exposed to violence, including sexual violence, and their most basic rights are threatened."
Explosive weapons, chemical weapons, Syria: "Indiscriminate aerial bombardment, the dropping of barrel bombs, the use of chemical weapons, violence, and the violation of international law continue without respite."
Targeting of humanitarian aid: "Humanitarian convoys are deliberately targeted."
Nuclear verification, Iran: "Diplomacy is able to resolve thorny issues. Proof of this lies in the solution found last year to the Iranian nuclear issue."
Nuclear weapons, nuclear testing, DPRK: "However, the efforts of nuclear non-proliferation continue to be undermined by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The multiple ballistic missile launches and the recent nuclear tests by North Korea are a flagrant violation of international obligations imposed on states by the Security Council. This escalation of provocations is unacceptable."
Nuclear disarmament, DPRK: "Beyond measures that the Security Council with have to take, reason dictates that six-party talks should resume in order to achieve verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula through peaceful means."
Macedonia
H.E. Mr. Gjorge Ivanov, President
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Madagascar
H.E. Mr. Hery Martial Rajaonarimampianina Rakotoarimanana, President
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Malawi
H.E. Mr. Arthur Peter Mutharika, President
20 September 2016
Small arms: "As a beacon of peace, we also actively pursue the 2063 AU Agenda to "Silence the Guns by 2020." And silence the guns, we must!"
Malaysia
H.E. Mr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister
24 September 2016
No relevant references.
Maldives
H.E. Mr. Mohamed Asim, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016
No relevant references.
Mali
H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, President
23 September 2016
Disarmament: "On the question of security and defence, the government has implemented an institutional framework on security sector reform as well as on the process of disarmament, demobilisation, reinsertion and integration."
Weapons, armed violence: "Today, more than ever, it is high time that the logic of weapons and of deadly clashes gives way to crucial dialogue, with an aim to establish sustainable peace throughout the world."
Malta
H.E. Mr. Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister
22 September 2016
Chemical weapons: "We also welcome the recent adoption of Security Council Resolution 2298 allowing for the destruction of chemical weapons that are present in the country [Libya]. It is a commendable effort aimed at reducing the risk that these weapons fall in the hands of extremists."
Marshall Islands
H.E. Ms. Hilda Heine, President
22 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: "Words without action do our people no benefit – I am committing my administration towards a renewed focus on nuclear impact issues. And I feel I have every right to not only ask, but to demand, full assistance and tangible results from the international community, and UN system. In light of our experience, it is our fervent hope that such weapons of mass destruction shall never again be tested or unleashed, and that all nuclear-armed nations will have the necessary political will and empathy to disarm. I appeal to the government of North Korea to halt any further nuclear weapons tests and to achieve full nuclear disarmament."
Mauritania
H.E. Mr. Isselkou Ould Ahmed Izid Bih, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016
No relevant references.
Mauritius
H.E. Mr. Anerood Jugnauth, Prime Minister
23 September 2016
No relevant references.
Mexico
H.E. Mr. Enrique Peña Nieto, President
20 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: "We recognize that one of the most important risks is the existence of nuclear weapons. Historically, Mexico has been a proponent of disarmament and has condemned nuclear tests. We will continue working to achieve world that is free of this global threat."
Micronesia (Federated States of)
H.E. Mr. Peter Christian, President
21 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: "Together with other Nations, the Federated States of Micronesia condemns the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's ongoing provocative actions and rhetoric. Unchecked, the Pacific Ocean, the same Ocean we speak of saving for all our sakes, may become a battle ground. One truly wonders why Beijing and Moscow seem unconcerned that a missile could stray their way. I ask them to please intercede on all our behalf. On this note also, the people of Micronesia look forward to the day when nuclear weapons will become a thing of the past, only remembered with great disdain and lament."
Moldova
H.E. Mr. Pavel Filip, Prime Minister
23 September 2016
Arms control: "The unprecedented increase of regional and internal conflicts, the intensification of armed violence and the global level and the restart of the arms race are only some ingredients that have fundamentally changed the international environment.
We need a world organisation that is adjusted to new realities."
Monaco
H.E. Mr. Serge Telle, Head of Government
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Mongolia
H.E. Mr. Elbegdorj Tsakhia, President
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Montenegro
H.E. Mr. Milo Ðukanović, Prime Minister
21 September 2016
No relevant references.
Morocco
H.E. Mr. Salaheddine Mezouar, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016
No relevant references.
Mozambique
H.E. Mr. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President
21 September 2016
No relevant references.
Myanmar
H.E. Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor and Minister for Foreign Affairs
21 September 2016
Disarmament: “The dream of turning Swords into plough shares, or to use a more modern idiom, converting weapons of destruction into farm machinery, is one that our people, [...] understandwith their hearts and their minds.”
Nuclear weapons: “Myanmar advocates a world free of nuclear weapons. The annual resolution tabled by my country on nuclear disarmament aims at achieving peace and security for present and future generations. Establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones in different regions of the world contributes to this goal. I am happy to inform this Assembly that we will be depositing our instrument of ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) this afternoon.”
Namibia
H.E. Mr. Hage Geingob, President
21 September 2016
No relevant references.
Nauru
H.E. Mr. Baron Divavesi Waqa, President
21 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: "Nauru is also concerned by the mounting tensions provoked by the recent actions of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The Pacific region saw far too much violence and suffering last century, and we must not allow the scourge of war to return. There is no place in a sustainable world for nuclear proliferation."
Nepal
H.E. Mr. Prakash Sharan Mahan, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016
Weapons of mass destruction, disarmament: "Nepal stands for complete and time-bound disarmament of all weapons of mass destruction, including the nuclear ones."
Disarmament & development: "An environment must be created for the realisation of development dividends of disarmament by redirecting scarce resources for productive use."
Nuclear disarmament, general disarmament: "The global community, especially the nuclear states, must put sincere efforts for moving forward the stalled negotiations on disarmament. We believe that all efforts for disarmament must be pursued in good faith in full compliance with the agreed international regimes.
Based on our principled position, Nepal hosts Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament for Asia and the Pacific. We invite Member States and partners to support and fully utilise the Centre to promote dialogue on disarmament, enhancing the Kathmandu process."
Arms control: "Management of arms and integration of combatants was successfully completed as part of the peace process [in Nepal]."
Netherlands
H.E. Mr. Albert Koenders, Minister for Foreign Affairs
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
New Zealand
H.E. Mr. John Key, Prime Minister
20 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: "New Zealand believes that a strong international response is required to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear test on the 9th of September, and its recent missile tests. The regime's efforts to advance its nuclear and missile programmes; its callous disregard for the North Korean people - as demonstrated by the dire human rights situation in the country; and its leader's unpredictably ruthless rule have made it one of our most pressing international security threats. Its provocative actions show blatant disregard for Security Council resolutions and pose a grave threat to the international law. They have raised tensions on the Korean peninsula to a point where the risk of conflict is dangerously high. We cannot afford further escalation. So New Zealand welcomes recent steps by the US and China to begin negotiating a new Security Council Resolution, following the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's recent nuclear test. We hope that this will send a clear signal to the North Korean leadership that continued provocative and dangerous actions are unacceptable; and that a return to the negotiating table represents the only sensible way forward. The international community must stand together in conveying these messages, including through fully implementing Security Council sanctions."
Nicaragua
H.E. Mr. Moises Omar Halleslevens Acevedo, Vice-President
23 September 2016
Arms control: "We emphasise the need for a negotiated political solution between Syrians and the end of foreign intervention, including funding and delivery of weapons to terrorist groups."
Niger
H.E. Mr. Mahamadou Issoufou, President
23 September 2016
Security expenditure, disarmament and development: "Terrorist threats that we see at our door has led our country to redirect significant resources to the security sector. Without that, Niger would have been able to realise the Millenium Development Goals, and would have able to start the process of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals under better conditions."
Nigeria
H.E. Mr. Muhammadu Buhari, President
20 September 2016
Small arms, arms trade: "We should not be distracted in our collective resolve to beat back terrorism in all its forms. As we confront terror we must also commit to stopping the proliferation of small arms and light weapons which nurture its spread. To this end, Nigeria urges member States that are yet to sign and ratify the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) to do so without further delay. "
Explosive weapons: "Nigeria has made remarkable progress in our resolve to defeat Boko Haram whose capacity to launch orchestrated attacks as a formed group has been severely degraded. In the last few months. Their operations have been limited to sporadic use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) against soft targets."
Nuclear weapons, nuclear power: "Nuclear security remains central to our quest for durable peace and security. This was why I participated in the 5th Nuclear Security Summit hosted by President Barak Obama in Washington in March, 2016. Nigeria and the other peace-loving member States of the United Nations must continue to uphold the fundamental principles of nuclear disarmament non-proliferation and its peaceful uses."
Norway
H.E. Ms. Erna Solberg, Prime Minister
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Oman
H.E. Mr. Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016
No relevant references.
Pakistan
H.E. Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister
21 September 2016
Nuclear weapons, military spending, disarmament: "For its part, Pakistan is committed to the establishment of strategic stability in the region. It neither wants, nor is it engaged in an arms race with India. But we cannot ignore our neighbor's unprecedented arms build up and will take whatever measures are necessary to maintain credible deterrence. We have consistently urged the conclusion of bilateral arms control and disarmament measures between Pakistan and India to prevent conflict and avoid wasteful military expenditures. We are open to discussing all measures of restraint and responsibility with India, in any forum or format and without any conditions. We are ready for talks to agree on a bilateral nuclear test ban treaty."
Nuclear weapons, nuclear materials: "As a responsible nuclear weapon state, Pakistan will continue to cooperate with all international efforts that seek to promote fair and equitable solutions to disarmament and non-proliferation challenges. We have introduced 'state of the art' measures to strengthen the safety and security of our nuclear materials and facilities. We have adopted a comprehensive export control regime that is fully consistent with international standards. Judged on the basis of objective criteria, and without discrimination, Pakistan is fully eligible for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group."
Palau
H.E. Dr. Caleb Otto, Permanent Representative
26 September 2016
Nuclear testing: "Addressing antimicrobial and nuclear testing issues have also become matter of urgency."
Nuclear testing, DPRK: "Palau joins the family of nations to condemn the nuclear testing, conducted by DPRK. We are concerned with the peace and long term stability of this region. Palau's proximity to the launching site places us in special threat."
Nuclear disarmament, NPT: "Additionally, we call on member states who have not ratified the Non Proliferation Treaty to do so in order to move one step closer to nuclear disarmament."
Palestine
H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Abbas
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Panama
H.E. Mr. Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez, President
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Papua New Guinea
H.E. Sir Puka Temu, Minister of State
22 September 2016
SALW, arms trade: "Many of today's ongoing conflicts are fuelled also by the proliferation of firearms, especially small arms and light weapons. We therefore welcome global efforts to regulate arms trade that will minimise global conflicts and displacement of people."
Nuclear weapons: "On nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, Papua New Guinea is staunchly opposed to their existence, testing and use. Complete disarmament of these murderous weapons is what the world needs for a peaceful and secure world."
Nuclear testing: "In this regard, Papua New Guinea is concerned with the ongoing nuclear weapons and missile tests carried out by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in contravention of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. We strongly condemn this action as it threatens regional and global peace and stability."
Paraguay
H.E. Mr. Eladio Ramón Loizaga Lezcano, Minister for Foreign Affairs
22 September 2016
Nuclear energy, non-proliferation: "A fundamental pillar of peaceful and harmonious coexistence among states is the peaceful development of nuclear energy. We advocate that energy programmes of this kind are developed with every precaution, limiting the deterioration which its production could cause on the environment. States that carry out these programmes should do so on the basis of broad, cross-border responsibility, following the best practices of international cooperation, of prevention of risk of damages and with due diligence, responding appropriately to any cross-border damages."
Non-proliferation, arms control: "All nations in the world are called upon to prevent threats to peace and to adopt appropriate meausures to strengthen universal peace, especially with regard to disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control."
Peru
H.E. Mr. Pedro Pablo Kuzcynski Godard, President
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Philippines
H.E. Mr. Perfecto Yasay, Secretary for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016
No relevant references.
Poland
H.E. Mr. Andrzej Duda, President
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Portugal
H.E. Mr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President
20 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: "We are also very concerned with the recent scaling of threats to security and stability in the Korean Peninsula, which we condemn, and we call on the resumption of collaboration between neighbours and the international community aiming at the suspension of the nuclear programme."
Qatar
H.H. Mr. Sheikh Tamim bin Hammad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar
20 September 2016
Explosive weapons in populated areas: "Putting an end to this humanitarian disaster [Syria] has become a political and moral necessity that imposes a historical and irrepudiatable responsibility on the Security Council to stop the bloodshed of the Syrians by halting the barbaric bombing and blockade on cities […]"
Republic of Korea
H.E. Mr. Yun Byung-se, Minister for Foreign Affairs
22 September 2016
Nuclear weapons, DPRK: "The reason why North Korea has failed is because of its fanatical and reckless pursuit of nuclear programmes.
- North Korea is the first and only country which has conducted nuclear tests in this country; it has conducted five nuclear tests so far in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. Just yesterday, at the CTBT Friends Ministerial Meeting, 43 countries issued a joint statement condemning in the strongest terms Pyongyang's nuclear tests.
- North Korea is the first and only country which has developed nuclear weapons within the NPT regime and announced its withdrawal from both the IAEA and the NPT.
- North Korea is also the first and only country which has officially declared itself as a "nuclear-weapon state" in its constitution."
"North Korea's recent nuclear tests show that its nuclear programmes have neared the tipping point. The latest nuclear test was also the strongest ever. The test interval was also significantly reduced from 3 years to 8 months. Given North Korea's unpredictability and its penchant for provocations, its next nuclear test may come even sooner than we expect."
"Moreover, North Korea has also fired 22 ballistic missiles of all types this year alone. This means one ballistic missile almost every ten days. These nuclear and ballistic missile tests show that North Korea is now at the final stage of nuclear weaponization.
Even more worryingly, North Korea has not only advanced its nuclear and missile capacity but has publicly threatened the actual use of those weapons. It has blackmailed to use nuclear weapons preemptively, which can strike us in four to five minutes. With such a direct existential threat to our survival, my Government has had no choice but to take necessary defensive measures to protect the nation and the citizens."
"In the wake of the fifth nuclear test, the Security Council agreed to work immediately on appropriate measures under Article 41. It is currently discussing a new resolution on North Korea. The Council should adopt stronger, comprehensive sanction measures that go beyond resolution 2270. It should close the loopholes in that resolution, and further expand and reinforce existing sanction measures."
"My President warned that unless we put a brake on Pyongyang's nuclear ambition today, we will come to regret it tomorrow."
"North Korea's fifth nuclear test not only revealed its unambiguous nuclear ambition, but it also expressed its utter disregard for its own people. At a time of the worst flood in decades, North Korea went ahead with the nuclear test in the hardest hit region.
It is estimated that North Korea has spent at least 200 million dollars for this year's nuclear tests and missile firing – a sufficient sum that could have been used for the flood relief."
Romania
H.E. Mr. Dacian Julien Cioloș, Prime Minister
21 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: "Peace and security could not be sustained if the continued potential thread of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, in particular nuclear weapons persists. Romania is currently chairing the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization. Romania was clear in condemning the nuclear and ballistic tests run by Democratic Popular Republic of Korea this year."
Russian Federation
H.E. Mr. Sergey Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016
Weapons of mass destruction, proliferation: "It is naïve to expect success in addressing such global issues as countering international terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and other transboundary threats without abandoning the philosophy of exclusiveness and permissiveness."
Nuclear zero: "We are seriously concerned about trends in the sphere of non-proliferation and arms control. There are attempts to replace the key objectives of maintaining strategic stability in all its components with populist slogans of "nuclear zero". The non-participation of a number of countries possessing nuclear arsenals in the existing treaties is not taken into account either."
Non-Proliferation Treaty: "The fundamental Non-Proliferation Treaty is put to a serious test, its Parties find it more difficult to speak a common language, especially in a situation when certain nuclear powers torpedo any compromises regarding the start of the negotiations on the establishment of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction and means of their delivery in the Middle East."
Nuclear disarmament: "Russia has consistently supported the liberation of humanity from the threat of nuclear weapons and other types of WMD. However, the advancement toward nuclear disarmament must be made with full consideration of the whole set of factors that affect strategic stability, including the creation of unilateral missile defense systems, placement of strategic non-nuclear strike weapons, threat of placement of weapons in outer space, inability to ensure the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty, and growing imbalance in conventional arms in Europe."
Chemical weapons, biological weapons, outer space: "We note a growing support of our initiative to draft an international convention for the suppression of the acts of chemical and biological terrorism. The start of serious negotiations on this issue and on Russia-China draft treaty on the prevention of placement of weapons in outer space would help move the key body of the UN multilateral disarmament mechanism – the Conference on Disarmament – out of an impasse. We call for a substantial examination of our proposals on the improvement of the Convention on the Prohibition of Biological and Toxin Weapons."
Arms control: "NATO member countries brought the conventional arms control in Europe to a deep deadlock. Our attempts to save it faced a tough ideology-driven counteraction. All ideas to come back to this issue would be meaningful only if the North-Atlantic Alliance recognised the absolute futility of ultimatums aimed at achieving unilateral advantages."
Nuclear testing, Korean Peninsula: "The recent actions by the DPRK that violate UN SC resolutions must be stopped. We call on Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear-missile programmes and return to the NPT regime. However, it is inadmissible to use this situation as a pretext for massive militarisation of North-East Asia and deployment of another position area for US global missile defense there. All sides must refrain from further escalation of tension and embark on the way toward politico-diplomatic settlement of the nuclear problem of the Korean Peninsula through the resumption of six-Party talks."
Rwanda
H.E. Mr. Paul Kagame, President
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
H.E. Mr. Timothy Harris, Prime Minister
24 September 2016
Small arms and light weapons: "It is important Mr. President that in keeping with our commitment to working more collaboratively to stem the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, the Caribbean Governments have adopted the CARICOM Declaration on Small Arms and Light Weapons in my own country's capital of Basseterre on July 4th, 2011. These weapons have had devastating effects on many young lives and families."
Arms Trade Treaty: "St. Kitts and Nevis has now signed and ratified the Arms Trade Treaty but we are still in need of much support."
Saint Lucia
H.E. Mr. Allen Michael Chastanet, Prime Minister
24 September 2016
No relevant references.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
H.E. Mr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister
23 September 2016
No relevant references.
Samoa (audio only, no written statement available)
H.E. Mr. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister
23 September 2016
Nuclear testing, DPRK: "It is with that conviction that Samoa calls on the Security Council to address the threat posed by the recent actions of North Korea on the peace and stability of the Asia and the Pacific region, if not the whole world."
Military spending, disarmament and development: "Imagine how easily achievable some, if not all, of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goalss would be if all the resources spent on the futility of wars were instead diverted for much needed economic and social activities so necessary for the creation of the peaceful society."
San Marino
H.E. Mr. Pasquale Valentini, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016
No relevant references.
São Tomé and Príncipe
H.E. Mr Patrice Emery Trovoada, Prime Minister
23 September 2016
No relevant references.
Saudi Arabia
H.H. Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince
21 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirms once again the importance of making the Middle East a Free Zone from all weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons. Thus, there is an absolute need for Israel to placing its nuclear facilities under the international inspections of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and signing the Convention on the Prohibition of, the Development. We also confirm that achieving security and stability in the region does not come through the pursuit of possessing these weapons or interfering in other countries' national matters, rather it comes from establishing relations based on good-neighborly relations and constructive cooperation.
"In this range, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns the nuclear tests conducted by North Korea and considers that they constitute a threat to international peace and security and calling to reach a solution to the outstanding issues in the region through peaceful means."
Senegal
H.E. Mr. Macky Sall, President
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Serbia
H.E. Mr. Aleksandar Vučić, Prime Minister
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Seychelles
H.E. Ms. Marie-Louise Potter, Permanent Representative
26 September 2016
No relevant references.
Sierra Leone
H.E. Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Singapore
H.E. Mr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016
No relevant references.
Slovakia
H.E. Mr. Andrej Kiska, President
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Slovenia
H.E. Mr. Borut Pahor, President
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Solomon Islands
H.E. Mr. Manasseh Sogavare, Prime Minister
23 September 2016
No relevant references.
Somalia
H.E. Mr. Abdusalam Hadliyeh Omer, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016
No relevant references.
South Africa
H.E. Mr. Jacob Zuma, President
20 September 2016
Small arms: "The African Union has resolved that Africa must silence the guns by 2020.”
South Sudan
H.E. Mr. Taban Deng Gai, Vice-President
23 September 2016
Nuclear proliferation: "Therefore, it is imperative that we work together to resolve critical issues that affect our planet such as terrorism, conflicts, migration and climate change, nuclear proliferation, racism, food insecurity etc."
Spain
H.E. King Don Felipe VI
20 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: "Spain welcomed the agreement regarding the Iranian nuclear program, and we celebrate the verification of compliance by Iran, leading to the halt of sanctions and opening the door to a new trade regime with limited restrictions."
Non-proliferation, nuclear weapons: "Spain follows with great concern the serious and systematic violations of the non-proliferation regime by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. We call upon the DPRK to focus all its efforts to sincerely achieve a climate of understanding and dialogue with the international community."
Sri Lanka
H.E. Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, President
21 September 2016
No relevant references.
Sudan
H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Ahmed Abd al-Aziz Ghandour, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016
No relevant references.
Suriname
H.E. Ms. Niermala Badrising, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016
No relevant references.
Swaziland
H.E. Mr. Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, Prime Minister
24 September 2016
No relevant references.
Sweden
H.E. Ms. Margot Wallström, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016
Nuclear proliferation, nuclear testing: "The basic tenets of our co-existence are being challenged. Borders changed through aggression. Proliferation – and testing – of nuclear weapons."
Armed conflict: "Prevention of armed conflict must be at the core of UN action."
Disarmament: "[Security] leads us to emphasise de-escalation and disarmament, mediation and dialogue, conflict prevention and peacebuilding."
Switzerland
H.E. Mr. Johan Schneider-Ammann, President
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Syrian Arab Republic
H.E. Mr. Walid Al-Moualem, Deputy Prime Minister
24 September 2016
Arms supply: "[Qatar and Saudi Arabia] have bragged about supporting terrorism in every way, sending into Syria thousands of mercenaries, equipped with the most sophisticated weapons."
Nuclear weapons, NPT: "Syria reaffirms that Israel's aggressive policies do not only threaten Syria but the whole region, especially given Israel's nuclear arsenal. We have stressed time and again the need to compel Israel to join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and other treaties on WMDs, and to subject its nuclear installations to the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)."
Nuclear energy, nuclear disarmament: "Syria stresses the right of states to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. We have always called for creating a WMD-free zone in the Middle East."
Chemical weapons: "In fact, we have efficiently and responsibly eliminated all chemical weapons in Syria, in cooperation with the Joint Mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations. In this regard, Syria reiterates its readiness to continue its cooperation with the Joint Investigation Mechanism (JIM), as well as to continue the Syrian relevant investigation."
Tajikistan
H.E. Mr. Sirodjindin Aslov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016
No relevant references.
Tanzania (United Republic of)
H.E. Mr. Augustine Phillip Mahiga, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016
No relevant references.
Thailand
H.E. Mr. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister
21 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: "Full compliance with international laws and obligations, in particular those breaches of which may result in serious humanitarian impact, such as obligations regarding nuclear disarmament, should be ensured."
Timor-Leste
H.E. Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo, Prime Minister
24 September 2016
Illicit arms trade: "Money laundering and illicit financial flows linked to terrorism are intimately connected with organised crime, and we are aware of the importance of simultaneously fighting piracy and the trafficking of drugs, persons, and arms."
Togo
H.E. Mr. Kokou Kpayedo, Permanent Representative
26 September 2016
No relevant references.
Tonga (audio only, no written statement available)
H.E. Mr. Samiuela 'Akilisi Pohiva, Prime Minister
24 September 2016
Disarmament, military expenditure, disarmament and development: "The maintenance of international peace and security is determined, not solely, but in a major way by the issue of disarmament. The proliferation of weapons in all their forms not only threatens international peace and security but also demonstrates the sheer waste of financial resources in the investment of governments in the manufacture and trade in arms. Such finances may better be used for international sustainable development initiatives which would logically contribute to international peace and security and a better manner of life."
Nuclear testing, DPRK, military expenditure: "The spending of trillions of dollars of defence budgets to develop weapons, including nuclear weapons, at the expense of the welfares of one’s people is offensive […]
In line wth this sentiment we wish to express our concern at recent nuclear testing by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in breach of decisions made by the United Nations in promotion of international peace and security."
Nuclear testing: "The negative effects of nuclear testing, which our Pacific Islands region has experienced, leads my country to believe in the need for controlled and managed use of nuclear capabilities and power by international standards for peaceful purposes."
Trinidad and Tobago
H.E. Mr. Denis Moses, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016
Small arms and light weapons, illicit arms trade, disarmament and development: "Transnational organised crime and violence, piracy, trafficking in persons, cybercrime and the illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons pose a daunting challenge to the security of all States, but especially so to Small Island Developing States, that by definition suffer resource and other capacity constraints. As a Small Island Developing State, it is Trinidad and Tobago's experience and that of the Caribbean Community as a whole that these compounded challenges undermine our efforts for sustainable development, threatening the livelihoods of our people and the rule of law. These threats can potentially impact regional and international peace and security."
ATT, small arms and light weapons, armed violence: "Consequently, on the international level, Trinidad and Tobago, together with CARICOM, fully subscribes to the Arms Trade Treaty, with the aim of preventing armed violence in the region, and freeing many from the deadly tyranny associated with the prevalence of unregulated small arms and light weapons."
Gender and disarmament, arms control: "Further, since 2010, Trinidad and Tobago introduced and sponsored General Assembly resolution "Women, Disarmament, Non-proliferation and Arms Control" encouraging women's participation in all disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control decision-making processes at the local, regional and national levels."
Nuclear disarmament: "It is fitting that I address this General Assembly today, September 26, the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Trinidad and Tobago reiterates that the utilisation of the nuclear option would have severe humanitarian and other devastating consequences for peoples of the world. We therefore renew our call for the denuclearisation of all regions of the world and are proud to belong to a region which established the first Nuclear Weapons Free Zone pursuant to the Treaty of Tlateloco."
"Trinidad and Tobago holds firmly to the view that the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons constitute a crime against humanity and a violation of international law, including international humanitarian law and the Charter of the United Nations. We lament the fact that forty-six years since the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty entered into force, the international community is still unable to undertake negotiations in good faith on nuclear disarmament. Mutually assured destruction, which is inevitable with the use of nuclear weapons, cannot be a solution by which to settle disputes, when both combatants and several hundred millions beyond the theatre of war, will assuredly perish. Trinidad and Tobago therefore remains robust in its support for the call for effective measures on nuclear disarmament, including the commencement of negotiations on an international instrument to prohibit and eliminate nuclear weapons – the only weapon of mass destruction not prohibited by a global legal instrument."
Tunisia
H.E. Mr. Béji Caïd Essebsi, President
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Turkey
H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Turkmenistan
H.E. Rashid Meredov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
22 September 2016
No relevant references.
Tuvalu
Mr. Enele Sosene Sopoaga, Prime Minister
23 September 2016
Nuclear testing, DPRK: "The pre-emptive and provocative actions displayed by the People's Democratic Republic of Korea against the Republic of Korea, and its potential implications against the peace and security of our own Pacific Ocean region are unacceptable. We deplore these actions, and urge for urgent actions to have these acts into complete seizure at the earliest opportunity."
Uganda
H.E. Mr. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Ukraine
H.E. Mr. Petro Poroshenko, President
21 September 2016
Cyber: "Political pressure, blatant propaganda, interference with electoral processes, economic coercion, secret subversive and military operations, cyber attacks, misuse of diplomatic measures – these are modern unconventional methods of undeclared wars."
Nuclear weapons: "In view of the recent developments on the Korean peninsula, the future of the nuclear non-proliferation regime is a cause of increased concern for my country. As you well know, Ukraine voluntarily dismantled its own nuclear arsenal, the third largest in the world at the time with from 2800 to 4200 tactical nuclear warheads, in exchange for security, sovereignty and territorial integrity assurances under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. Regretfully, all these assurances remained just a piece of paper. Let’s be frank, we failed to pass exam with the Budapest memorandum. Then democratic world lost its first battle – it was not only about Ukraine, but also about credibility of agreements. However, Ukraine as a responsible international actor has always been and remains a committed advocate of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. Thus, timely and effective action of the international community – the Security Council in the first place – in response to the North Korean nuclear test is one more exam for all of us. We must not allow plunging the world into a new nuclear arms race."
"Yes, they used to threaten the world with using nuclear weapons, just like Russia is doing now. However, when shown the US intelligence aerial photos, even Khruschyov could not but recognize that the Soviet missiles were stationed in Cuba."
"One more problem, which emanates from Russia’s occupation of Crimea, is its intentions to deploy tactic nuclear weapons and means of delivery in the occupied peninsula. This would destroy the global system of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and brutally violate Ukraine’s non-nuclear status."
Weapons: "The shocking reality is that there is a roughly 38,000-strong illegal military force in Donbas and its large part is regulars and mercenaries from Russia. This force is armed to the teeth by Russia. And this is no exaggeration – they have at their disposal some 475 tanks, 948 armoured vehicles, 208 multiple launch rocket systems. Russia keeps sending weapons, ammunition and manpower to Ukraine through the uncontrolled part of the Ukrainian-Russian state border. Sending by roads and by rail, on a daily basis."
"Set the captives free, stop shooting, withdraw weapons, let the OSCE carry out its mandate and watch over the Ukrainian-Russian border without hindrance, withdraw Russian weaponry as well as regular and irregular military units."
Chemical weapons: "We draw particular attention to the need to remove a threat of use of chemical weapons in [Syria]."
Nuclear power: "However, there is a clear need for continued international efforts to mitigate the impact of the disaster at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant as well as to complete the respective projects."
United Arab Emirates
H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016
Nuclear weapons, Iran, armed groups: "Despite the so called nuclear agreement reached between Tehran and the P5 +1, and its welcoming by regional countries, hopes that the deal would change Iran’s hostile approach have been quickly thwarted. Against all optimistic expectations, Iran wasted no time in continuing its efforts to undermine the security of the region, through aggressive rhetoric, blatant interference, producing and arming militias, developing its ballistic missile program, in addition to its alarming designation as a state sponsor of terrorism."
Nuclear weapons, DPRK: "An additional example of the inclination to avoid solving issues fundamentally and settling for condemnation alone, can be seen by the response to the decision of North Korea to develop its nuclear and ballistic capacities and carry out regular tests, which threaten the security of its neighbours, as well as international peace and security and are clearly contrary to the most fundamental rules of international law."
United Kingdom
H.E. Ms. Theresa May, Prime Minister
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
United States of America
H.E. Mr. Barack Obama, President
20 September 2016
Nuclear weapons: "We’ve taken away terrorist safe havens, strengthened the nonproliferation regime, resolved the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomacy."
"Indeed, our international order has been so successful that we take it as a given that great powers no longer fight world wars; that the end of the Cold War lifted the shadow of nuclear Armageddon; that the battlefields of Europe have been replaced by peaceful union; that China and India remain on a path of remarkable growth."
"We cannot escape the prospect of nuclear war unless we all commit to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and pursuing a world without them. When Iran agrees to accept constraints on its nuclear program that enhances global security and enhances Iran's ability to work with other nations. On the other hand, when North Korea tests a bomb that endangers all of us. And any country that breaks this basic bargain must face consequences. And those nations with these weapons, like the United States, have a unique responsibility to pursue the path of reducing our stockpiles, and reaffirming basic norms like the commitment to never test them again."
Uruguay
H.E. Mr. Tabaré Vázquez, President
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Uzbekistan
H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Kamilov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016
Nuclear weapon free zone: "It was this very place where [the President of Uzbekistan] had enunciated a number of important international political initiatives aimed at establishing a Central Asia nuclear weapon free zone […]"
Vanuatu
H.E. Mr. Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas, Prime Minister
23 September 2016
Nuclear disarmament: "Vanuatu condemns all forms of nuclear proliferation and remains committed to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. We reaffirm our position in favour of a nuclear-free Pacific."
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
H.E. Ms. Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016
Military spending: "In 2015, global military spending was at 1.7 trillion dollars and of this amount, the United States alone was responsible for a third to finance its wars. A total of 600 billion dollars, it is almost impossible to imagine this figure for a country. The United States has almost 800 military bases around the world with maintenance costs close to 100 billion dollars a year."
Arms trade: "This is due in part to the commodification of war, arms trafficking, and the greed that appropriates the natural resources of other countries. These are the dynamics of profit, where gaining wealth means selling weapons, alleged "security" […]"
Chemical weapons: "The Syrian people are the main victims of the violence of terrorist groups, violence which includes war crimes in the use of chemical weapons."
Viet Nam
H.E. Mr. Pham Bình Minh, Deputy Prime Minister
24 September 2016
No relevant references.
Yemen
H.E. Mr. Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi Mansour, President
23 September 2016
Armed violence, civilian impact: "At a time when all were extending their hands for peace and national partnership, they [Houthis] were firing bullets against all, laying siege to cities, killing innocents in order to maintain their selfish interests by controlling power and wealth and absolute control over national interests and plundering its resources."
"We called on [Yemenis] to demonstrate their loyalty to their homeland more than once, and to disengage themselves from a state that lent nothing to Yemen except destruction, explosives and war fuel."
Armed violence, weapons: "The peace that we aspire to cannot accept the control by the militias and sectarian gangs on the assets of the state, and the heavy and medium weapons as well as missiles that assault the security and stability of Yemen, the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf region."
Disarmament, armed violence: "No peaceful solutions can compromise on the ending of the coup d'état and all its consequences. We should first and foremost ensure the withdrawal of armed militias, including the surrender of weapons and the control of agences, and then complete the political process by endorsement of the new draft constitution before moving to comprehensive elections."
Weapons stockpiling: "The security vacuum caused by the war, and the economic collapse brought about by the black market policies and the impoverishment of the state and the plundering of resources – policies which have been pursued from the beginning by the coup d’état forces – has created a state of extreme poverty exploited by terrorist groups to enlist people and recruit children and the stockpiling of weapons and control of cities. Unless there are effective measures to address and remove these causes, Yemen and the entire region will continue to suffer."
Illicit arms trade: "The situation of destructive war imposed on our people as a result of the plundering of the state assets and the manipulation of the central bank assets and the erosion of foreign currency reserves and the absence of the use of local currency, have opened the door by the militias to war trade, black markets, and smuggling, which all bring Yemen to the brink of a very dangerous situation."
Zambia
H.E. Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President
20 September 2016
No relevant references.
Zimbabwe
H.E. Mr. Robert Mugabe, President
21 September 2016
No relevant references.
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