Statement by

Mr. Mohammad Ghorbanpour,

 a Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Before the UNGA 78 First Committee

Thematic Discussions:

UN Disarmament Machinery

25 October 2023, New York/ the United Nations

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

The Islamic Republic of Iran extends its sincere condolences and steadfast sympathy to the oppressed people of Palestine. We strongly condemn the continued perpetration of heinous atrocity crimes in Gaza by the Israeli regime and the inaction by the international community in the face of this barbarism.

Mr. Chairman,

My delegation associates itself with the NAM statement delivered by Indonesia.

Mr. Chairman, 

The international community must reaffirm the enduring importance of multilateral diplomacy in the realm of disarmament and non-proliferation. We firmly believe that nuclear weapons remain a grave existential threat to the world, and thus, it is imperative for nations to remain committed to the ultimate goal of achieving a nuclear-weapon-free world; in this vein coping with outlawed regime of Israel that has threatened Iran with nuclear weapons, must be done. Additionally, nuclear disarmament must be pursued through verifiable, irreversible, and transparent means, with all NWSs and their proponents honoring their legal obligations.

Regrettably, the United Nations Disarmament Machinery, particularly the CD, has been hindered by a glaring "lack of genuine political will" among certain NWSs and their supporters. The persistent nuclear disarmament deficit, exemplified by the failures of the NPT review conferences in 2015 and 2022, poses a significant impediment to the global non-proliferation and disarmament framework.

In this context, it is imperative to safeguard and strengthen existing treaties and agreements, uphold the norm against nuclear weapons testing, proliferation, and use, and work towards eliminating the role of nuclear weapons. Moreover, we must encourage verifiable and irreversible actions in the disarmament chemical, and biological weapons. We must explore every avenue and seize all opportunities to rejuvenate the UN disarmament architecture and machinery, charting a course towards the complete elimination of weapons of mass destruction on both global and regional levels. Addressing the threat posed by the Israeli regime's weapons of mass destruction and related threats should be a top priority.

Specifically, with regard to the UN disarmament machinery, it is crucial to strengthen the role and mandate of the CD, the sole multilateral disarmament negotiating body. The CD should resume its substantive work and, importantly, initiate negotiations on a comprehensive nuclear weapons convention. We commend the leadership of the NAM in SSOD processes.

The CD, must adopt a program of work that reactivates its functionality, ensuring its role as a negotiating body and preventing attempts to reduce it to a mere deliberative mechanism.

To overcome the long-standing deadlock that has hampered the CD's effectiveness, it is incumbent upon all its members, especially the NWSs, to display the necessary political will and uphold their commitments to nuclear disarmament. It is essential to resolve this impasse without compromising the CD's mandate.

In the First Committee, the continued negative votes by the United States and the Israeli regime undermine the cherished practice of consensual decision-making and reflect a regrettably divisive approach to disarmament. The foremost priority of the disarmament machinery should be achieving consensus rather than delving into divisive issues.

Furthermore, the arbitrary compliance reports submitted by the United States on Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments should not only cease but also be rejected, as they undermine the authority of relevant international instruments and organizations. The United States should fulfill its legal obligation to promptly issue visas to the representatives of member states.

Lastly, the composition of the UNODA should reflect equitable representation of the international community. We place significant importance on the UN fellowship programs related to disarmament processes.

In conclusion, Mr. Chair, we emphasize the critical importance of multilateral diplomacy in disarmament and non-proliferation efforts and call upon all nations to demonstrate the necessary political will to advance towards a world free from the threat of nuclear weapons.

 Thank you.