H.E. Asadallah Eshragh Jahromi
Director General for International Peace and Security
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Islamic Republic of Iran
Before the UNGA 78 First Committee
Thematic Discussions:
Other WMDs
18 October 2023, New York/ the United Nations
In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Mr. Chair,
My delegation associates itself with the statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the NAM.
Mr. Chair,
We support NAM’s long-standing principled position toward the achievement of general and complete disarmament, under strict and effective international control, including the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons and other types of weapons of mass destruction. In this regard, we underline that the existence and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction continue to pose a significant threat to international peace and security. We further underline that full, effective and non-discriminatory implementation of the two Conventions contributes to regional and international peace and security.
We emphasize that the use of chemical or biological weapons and toxic chemicals as weapons anywhere by anyone and under any circumstances is reprehensible and completely contrary to the provisions of the Conventions and international law. We also reaffirm that those responsible for the use of these weapons must be held accountable.
From our perspective, the OPCW is the competent international organization to verify the compliance of States Parties with the provisions of the Convention, whose authority and credibility must be upheld at all times.
Iran continues to underscore the importance for the OPCW and all States Parties to continue to ensure the full, effective and nondiscriminatory implementation of all provisions of the Convention including the economic and technological development of the States Parties, especially in the fields of International Cooperation and Assistance.
Despite the conclusion of the destruction of declared chemical weapons by member states, it is essential to recognize that the threat of chemical arsenals from the Israeli regime or terrorist groups still persists. Therefore, alongside pursuing the overarching goal of the Convention, the technical capabilities as well as expertise of the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons should continue to be available for the future verification of chemical arsenal destruction. The discussion of the future of the Organization should not overshadow this critical pillar of the Convention and the organization's functioning.
I am delighted to inform you that last week, in partnership with the OPCW, Iran hosted the 11th international course on the medical treatment of victims of chemical weapons. We remain committed to sharing our medical achievements and expertise with all interested countries.
Furthermore, within the discussion of the future of the Organization, it is expected that international cooperation will be reinforced. In fact, Article XI has played a vital role in garnering global support for the Chemical Weapons Convention, ensuring its goals are met. It protects the inherent rights of States Parties to pursue economic and technological growth without hindering international information, technology, material, and equipment exchange for peaceful purposes in the field of chemistry. States Parties must promote cooperation and refrain from imposing restrictions, like unilateral sanctions, that stifle trade and scientific advancement. Unfortunately, some States Parties including the USA constantly fail to fulfill their obligations in this field, endangering the Convention's sustainability. While acknowledging positive developments, such as the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology and capacity-building programs, we stress the need for an Action Plan to tackle obstacles, especially export restrictions, and ensure Article XI's full, effective, and non-discriminatory implementation.
Considering the medical needs of tens of thousands of victims of chemical weapons in the Islamic Republic of Iran as the result of the most systematic use of chemical weapons in the contemporary history by Saddam’s troops against Iran in 1980s, and following Iran's proposal to establish an international fund for the support of chemical weapons victims, we emphasize the effective implementation of Article X of the Convention including proper support of this fund.
Mr. Chair,
Iran strongly supports the BWC and calls for its comprehensive, effective, and non-discriminatory implementation to uphold the current international framework.
However, the resumption of negotiations for a legally binding protocol for the Convention has been hindered since the US objected to its strengthening in 1996. To move forward, we urge the United States to not only withdraw its objection to strengthening the Convention and its reservation to the 1925 Geneva Protocol but also refrain from opposing the development of the BWC, particularly in light of reports of its involvement in biological weapons development. We hope that the intersessional process for the BWC will yield a satisfactory outcome in bolstering the Convention.
Mr. Chair,
We attach great importance to the universality of the CWC and the BWC and in this regard, strongly urge the international community to make the Israeli regime accede to these two Conventions without any further delay or preconditions. Without accession of the Israeli regime to these Conventions, security in the Middle East will be endangered as caused by the other threats of this regime.
Mr. Chair,
We regret the consecutive failure of the CWC review conferences in 2018 and 2023. We wish that the 9th review conference of the BWC could have a substantial outcome document. We are hopeful that the next conferences of these two conventions will have a successful ending.
On another note, we strongly oppose the reductionist and limited approach presented in the draft proposal regarding the Prohibition of Radiological Weapons. This approach not only diminishes the work of the CD but also highlights significant shortcomings within the proposal.
Finally, we all share the responsibility to eradicate such lethal weapons of mass destruction from the planet. Iran will continue to support any sincere international efforts to uphold this cause.
I thank you.