Statement by
Mr. Seyed Mahdi Sajjadieh
Second Secretary
Department for Disarmament and Arms Control
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran
At the First Committee, UNGA 77
On Thematic Discussions: UN Disarmament Machinery
New York, 27 October 2022
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Mr. Chairman,
My delegation associates itself with the NAM statement delivered by Indonesia.
Mr. Chairman,
Iran reaffirms the absolute validity of multilateral diplomacy in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation.
We strongly believe that nuclear weapons continue to pose an existential threat to the world and, as such, the international community must continue to focus on achieving the ultimate goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world in a manner that is verifiable, irreversible and transparent. This goal will not be achieved until and unless the NWSs and their advocates honor their legal obligations. The major problem of the UN Disarmament Machinery, in particular the CD, is the “lack of genuine political will” on the part of certain Nuclear-Weapon-States and their supporters. However, the continuous nuclear disarmament deficit highlighted among others in two consecutive failures of the NPT review conferences in 2015 and 2022 will have a significant negative impact on the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament architecture until the right steps be taken towards nuclear disarmament.
In this context, it is imperative to preserve and reinforce existing treaties and agreements; sustain and strengthen the norm against the testing, proliferation and use of nuclear weapons; eliminate the role of nuclear weapons; as well as promote verifiable and irreversible action towards nuclear, chemical and biological weapons disarmament.
In this way, all opportunities must be explored and utilized to consider ways to revitalize the UN disarmament architecture and machinery, both to chart a course toward the total elimination of weapons of mass destruction at the global and regional levels. Coping with the danger of the Israeli regime’s weapons of mass destruction and threats thereof must be a priority.
Specifically, regarding the UN disarmament machinery, it should be noted that the Conference on Disarmament is the single multilateral disarmament negotiating body with a role and mandate of which should be strengthened, especially by the resumption of its substantive work.
Emphasizing the vital importance and continued validity of the Final Document of the SSOD-I, we strongly support the early commencement of negotiations in the CD on the comprehensive nuclear weapons convention.
We welcome the resumption of the work of the UNDC and hope that following a very rich discussion in this year’s cycle of the Commission, next year it will successfully conclude the cycle.
In the First Committee, the frequent and consistent negative vote of the US and Israel continues to damage the valued practice of consensual decision-making while demonstrating their maligned approach towards disarmament. The main priority of the disarmament machinery should be consensual decision-making instead of pursuing divisive topics.
Furthermore, the US arbitrary compliance reports on Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments should not only be stopped but also rejected as they are undermining the authority of relevant international instruments and organizations.
It is noteworthy to mentioning that the US must abide by its legal obligation to promptly issue visas for the representatives of the member states.
Furthermore, for us, all of the UN formal meetings should be held in person and virtual convening of the meetings should be reduced as much as possible; definitely virtual or hybrid meetings cannot ensure equal footing of the membership as required in the UN Charter.
Last but not least, the composition of the UNODA should represent equitable representation of the international community. We attach great importance to the UN fellowship programs on disarmament processes.
I thank you, Mr. Chair.