Entrenched Belief in Nuclear Deterrence as Defence Keeps Fear of Annihilation Alive, First Committee Hears in Thematic Debate

Christina Macpherson

Oct 16

United Nations, MEETINGS COVERAGE, GENERAL ASSEMBLY, FIRST COMMITTEE, SEVENTY-EIGHTH SESSION, 13 OCTOBER 2023

Mistrust Looms Large in Disarmament, Non-Proliferation, Speakers Say

Today's world is one of "nuclear giants and ethical infants" that know more about war than peace and killing than living, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) heard today as it began its thematic debate on nuclear weapons.

In the face of "a bad propensity to flirt with suicidal tendencies", the world is experiencing the worst aggression seen in recent times, Sri Lanka's representative said. An entrenched belief in nuclear deterrence as a defence strategy, alongside a lack of progress on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), is preventing humanity from reaching a world free from the fear of nuclear annihilation.

Trust has always been a scarce commodity in disarmament and non-proliferation, the Netherlands' delegate noted, but it is now extremely low due to the current security environment. A mere call to rebuild trust would be too simple. The international community must make use of mechanisms already in place, from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) to the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). Nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States alike should be more transparent about their arsenals, doctrines and risk-reduction measures, in order to rebuild trust.

Similarly, Malaysia's representative urged States to overcome the deep trust deficit. He went on to say the grand bargain underpinning the NPT cannot remain a distant dream and constantly deferred by considerations of strategic stability among nuclear-weapon States. It is imperative that all NPT obligations and commitments are fully implemented. He also urged the remaining Test-Ban Treaty's Annex II States to sign and ratify the Treaty.

The representative of Belize, speaking on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) viewed the nuclear disarmament imperative through a humanitarian lens, highlighting the need for accountability to victims and expressing support for positive obligations included in the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

The Director and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Adedeji Ebo, said in remarks to the meeting ahead of an informal interactive dialogue with delegations that to reduce the human cost of weapons, States must recommit to the humanitarian imperative underpinning disarmament efforts. He encouraged them to universalize treaties banning inhumane and indiscriminate weapons, including the Conventions on Cluster Munitions and Certain Conventional Weapons, and the Mine-Ban Convention.

Joining the United Nations Director and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs was Flavio Damico, speaking for the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean. He noted that more than five decades have passed since the international norm gave rise to the creation of nuclear-weapon-free zones, pioneered by the Latin America and the Caribbean region through the Treaty of Tlatelolco. That norm, he said, holds even great significance given the current global security condition.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Monday, 16 October, to continue its thematic debate on nuclear weapons.

Statements...............................................................................................................................more https://press.un.org/en/2023/gadis3718.doc.htm