UNGA Disarmament Index 2015: S–Z

This is an index of all references made to issues of disarmament, peace, and security, made in the 70th General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly from 28 September–6 October 2015. Included in this index are all references made to arms control, disarmament, nuclear and conventional weapons, nuclear energy, the arms trade, and militarism.

A-G | H-R | S-Z

Saint Kitts and Nevis
H.E. Mr. Timothy Harris, Prime Minister
2 October 2015

Small arms, arms trade: “However, if small states are to overcome the challenges posed and exacerbated by transnational criminal activities, we must work in partnership. We need the support of gun producing countries to restrict the movement of illegal guns, light weapons and ammunitions. Those who produce the fire arms must do more to stop them from reaching our shores.”

Saint Lucia
H.E. Mr. Alva Romanus Baptiste, Minister of External Affairs
2 October 2015

Iran’s nuclear programme: “Mr. President, as a global community our interests cannot be served in the morbid scenario of conflict and war. It is in that context Mr. President that Saint Lucia extends commendation to both the US administration and the Government of Iran, for working out a diplomatic solution that will manage the nuclear threat in the region for the next fifteen (15) years.”

Small arms: “This is further compounded by the increased security costs of responding to the negative impacts of the illicit trade in small arms and illegal narcotics, as well as reconstruction costs following natural disasters.”

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
H.E. Mr. Ralph Gonsalves, President
29 September 2015

Militarism: “Further, the calamitous fallout of military adveuturism, economic recklessness or environmental negligence is not confined to discrete national confines. Rather, the chickens often return to roost in far-flung, unexpected and often blameless locales. As such, more than ever, our international relations must be defined by cooperation, collaboration and decisive action.

“Seventy years ago, this United Nations was founded with a central goal of "sav[ing] succeeding generations from the scourge of war" - the very first principle enunciated in our Charter. Today, wars and the rumours of wars continue to bring untold sorrow to mankind. Too often, these wars are the product of great power arrogance and decisions based not in fact, but on wishful ideological impulses. The results of these actions and inactions almost invariably exacerbate underlying conflicts and produce unwanted global repercussions. International terrorism threatens us all, and requires concerted international cooperation. Anti-terrorist intervention must not be shaped by which side of a border the terrorist armies happen to encamp or one's ideological affinity for the governments most threatened by these barbaric hordes.”

“In this our 70th year, let us pledge ourselves to liberate our nations and our global family from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation and warfare; to emancipate ourselves from the mental slavery of discrimination and learned helplessness; to unshackle our policies from the narrow nationalism, and imperialist ambition, that constrains the limitless possibilities of the human spirit. As nations and peoples we have choices.”

Samoa
H.E. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele MalieJegaoi, Prime Minister
30 September 2015

No disarmament references.

San Marino
H.E. Mr. Daniele Bodini, Permanent Representative
3 October 2015

Nuclear weapons: “San Marino, a strong supporter of the NPT, believes that one of the most important tasks that we have to accomplish is the total elimination of nuclear weapons, thousands of which are ready to be deployed at any time. We cannot afford to wait any longer.”

Sao Tome and Principe
H.E. Mr. Manuel Salvador Dos Ramos, Minister of Foreign Affairs
2 October 2015

No disarmament references.

Senegal
H.E. Mr. Macky Sall, President
28 September 2015

No disarmament references.

Serbia
H.E. Mr. Tomislav Nikolić, President
30 September 2015

Military expenditure: “The responsibility does lie on those who spend on arms more than poor countries spend on food jointly.”

Seychelles
H.E. Mr. James Alix Michel, President
29 September 2015

No disarmament references.

Sierra Leone
H.E. Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President
29 September 2015

Small arms: “What we see all over the world - in the refugee crises, in the fight against poverty, in the fight against trans-national organized crime, terrorism, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, piracy, violence against women.”

Slovakia
H.E. Mr. Miroslav LAJČÁK, Deputy Prime Minister
1 October 2015

Weapon of mass destruction: “Terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, poverty, diseases, disparities causing socio-economic tensions, resulting in migration - all these challenges pose vital threats to humankind...and the only difference is how quickly the catastrophe strikes..”

Slovenia
H.E. Miroslav Cerar, Prime Minister
30 September 2015

Iran's nuclear programme: "The recent historic agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue proves that even most complex issues can be resolved peacefully. Considering this positive outcome, we hope that the Middle East peace talks will also resume soon, with a view to bring stability and security to this tormented region."

Arms trade: “Speaking of disarmament and arms control, I would like to welcome the early entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty last December and call for its full implementation. This will allow us to effectively regulate international arms trade and thus substantially contribute to international peace and security.”

Nuclear weapons: “My country also remains committed to the goal of a world without nuclear weapons.”

Solomon Islands
H.E. Mr. Manasseh Sogavare, Prime Minister
1 October 2015

No disarmament references.

Somalia
H.E. Mr. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, Prime Minister
1 October 2015

Explosive weapons in populated areas: “The survival instinct of the Somali people is most evident in women: raising families whilst their homes are being bombed, walking miles without water in search of safety and burying their children whilst continuing to work to feed the rest of their family. We know what war can do.”

South Africa
H.E. Mr. Jacob Zuma, President
28 September 2015

Militarism, arms trade: “The current refugee crisis in Europe is sadly the direct result of the militarisation of civilian unrest which included the massive arming of civilians and opposition groupings in Libya and Syria and other affected countries.”

Nuclear weapons: “The failure of the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference to reach an agreement in the year that marks 70 years since the first atomic bombs were detonated in Japan, is a major setback in our commitment to rid the world of weapons of mass destruction, and in particular nuclear weapons.”

“There can be no safe hands for nuclear weapons. The humanitarian consequences of a possible detonation of a nuclear weapon, whether intentionally or accidentally, will be catastrophic for humanity."

Iran's nuclear programme: "We welcome the recent agreement reached on the Iranian nuclear program and the recognition the right of Iran to peaceful use of nuclear energy.”

South Sudan
H.E. Mr. James Wani Igga, Vice President
1 October 2015

Disarmament: "More than any other time in our conflict riddled history, the upcoming post-conflict imperatives of resettlement, rehabilitation, and disarmament require concerted financial and technical intervention from our many good friends around the world."

Sri Lanka
H.E. MAITHRIPALA SIRISENA, President
30 September 2015

No disarmament references.

Sudan
H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Ahman 'Abd al-Aziz Ghandour, Minister of Foreign Affairs
2 October 2015

Arms trade: “In the field of the fighting cross-border crime, the Government of the Sudan signed several bilateral agreements with neighbouring countries (Libya, Chad, Central Africa and Southern Sudan), with a view to tightening border control, preventing trafficking in arms and stopping the infiltration of organized crime, including trafficking in persons.”

Suriname
H.E. Mrs. Niermala Badrising, Minister of Foreign Affairs
3 October 2015

No disarmament references.

Swaziland
H.M. King Mswati III, Head of State
29 September 2015

No disarmament references.

Sweden
H.E. Mr. Stefan Lofven, Prime Minister
30 September 2015

Nuclear weapons, biological weapons, chemical weapons, arms trade, small arms: "Working to keep the peace also means following through on our mutual promises of disarmament: - to pursue legal, practical and technical solutions to fully rid our world of its remaining 16 000 nuclear weapons; - to finally destroy what remains of other inhumane arms, such as biological and chemical weapons; - to realise the Arms Trade Treaty; and - to fight the spread of small arms and light weapons, including ammunition. If we sway from these goals, humanity will suffer for our faults."

Switzerland
H.E. Mrs. Simonetta Sommaruga, President
28 September 2015

Militarism, Iran's nuclear programme: “Switzerland is convinced that a purely military approach is not sufficient to resolve a conflict. Instead, all UN actions must be underpinned by a political strategy aimed at finding a lasting solution to the conflict. We have been reminded of this repeatedly, particularly during the various peace and dialogue processes conducted in Geneva -on Syria, Libya and Yemen, as well as in the context of the E3/EU +3 nuclear negotiations with Iran.”

Syrian Arab Republic
H.E. Mr. Walid Al-Moualem, Deputy Prime Minister
2 October 2015

Arms trade: “The resolutions adopted by the Security Council under Chapter VII are still only ink on paper, mentioned only in press releases and media statements, while on the ground the countries funding, sponsoring and supporting terrorism are still fueling extremism in the region. Those countries continue arming, training and sending terrorists to Syria, while being indifferent and unconcerned about the implementation of those resolutions.”

Explosive weapons in populated areas: “The terrorism of ‘Da'esh/ISIS’, ‘Al-Nusrah Front’ and other A1-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organizations is killing the innocent, capturing women and launching mortar shells on civilians. This terrorism is cutting drinking water and destroying history and civilization landmarks, including those inscribed on the World Heritage List, which is a heritage of all humankind, the last of such crimes was the destruction of the temples of Baalshamin and Bel, and the brutal killing of archaeologists.”

“How can we ask the Syrian people to head to the ballot boxes, while they are not safe in the streets and inside their homes, while they are under the missiles and mortar shells launched by terrorist groups supported by wellknown countries?”

“Terrorism cannot be fought only from the air, and all of the previous operations to combat it have only served its spread and outbreak. Air strikes are useless unless they are conducted in cooperation with the Syrian Army, the only force in Syria that is combating terrorism. The announcement of the beginning of the Russian airstrikes in Syria, which came upon a request from the Syrian Government and in coordination with the Government, is an effective participation in the support of the Syrian efforts in combating terrorism.”

“Israel continues to attack Syria while the world is watching. Israel is arming the terrorists and treating them in its hospitals. It is helping them through its intelligence services, and supporting them to stand between it and the Syrian army across the border. When those terrorists weaken, it intervenes directly through air strikes or artillery shelling, just as Turkey did and still doing, whether in Aleppo or in Idlib; and as Saudi Arabia and Qatar are doing, and who are in a race to shed Syrian blood through their clients. The continued support for terrorists and the escalation of their attacks on citizens in most regions and cities in Syria, led to an increase in citizens' need for the basic commodities and services in many areas.”

Chemical weapons: “At the end of 2013, Syria accepted the initiative of the President of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin, and joined the Convention of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, based on the need to establish in the Middle East a free zone of Nuclear Weapons and all Weapons of Mass Destruction. It also wanted to prove to the whole world its commitment to stand against any use of chemical weapons. Syria fulfilled its obligations resulting from its accession to the Convention, and completed its commitments despite the prevailing difficult situation. Were it not for the Syrian cooperation with the UN-OPCW Joint Mission, it would have not been possible to complete of the tasks of the Mission.”

Iran’s nuclear programme: “The Syrian Arab Republic would like to congratulate the Islamic Republic of Iran on its steadfastness and victory in achieving the historic agreement that fulfils the aspirations of the brotherly people of Iran, recognizes the right of Iran to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, lifts the sanctions imposed against it, as well as lifts the freeze on its assets, and leads to opening up of the international arena on this brotherly country. This agreement proves that the diligent and serious diplomatic approach is able to overcome all obstacles and result in peaceful and fair solutions for thorny files.”

Nuclear weapons, WMD, nuclear energy: “Syria stresses that establishing a zone free from all weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East is unachievable without the accession of Israel, the only nuclear power in the region, to all treaties banning such weapons, and to put its nuclear facilities under the supervision of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). At the same time, we emphasize the right of all countries to acquire and develop nuclear technology for peaceful uses.”

Tajikistan
H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon, President
29 September 2015

Iran's nuclear programme: “Peaceful settlement of the debates on the Iran nuclear program proved the enormous potential of a diplomatic method to resolve urgent problems of today. We are convinced that Joint Plan of Action on Iran's nuclear program adopted by the Security Council resolution will contribute to the strengthening of regional and international peace, stability, and mutual trust, and will be instrumental in reinforcement of the nuclear non-proliferation regime.”

Tanzania
H.E. Mr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President
29 September 2015

No disarmament references.

Thailand
H.E. Mr. General Prayut Chan-o-Cha, Prime Minister
29 September 2015

No disarmament references.

Timor-Leste
H.E. Mr. Rui Maria De Araújo, Prime Minister
1 October 2015

No disarmament references.

Togo
H.E. Mr. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President
30 September 2015

No disarmament references.

Tonga
H.E. Mr. Samuela 'Akilisi Pohiva, Prime Minister
29 September 2015

No disarmament references.

Trinidad and Tobago
H.E. Mr. Denis Moses, Minister of Foreign Affairs
2 October 2015

Small arms, arms trade: “For Small States such as Trinidad and Tobago, the maintenance of international peace and security is of paramount importance. We are keenly aware that our prospects for achieving sustainable development are inextricably linked to the safety and security of our people. However, our ability to provide such safety and security is increasingly being stretched, given that Trinidad and Tobago is located in a region heavily impacted by the trafficking of small arms and light weapons, as well as its attendant ills. This illicit trade is trans-boundary in nature and is largely associated with the drug trade and its international criminal networks.”

Arms trade: “Consequently, Trinidad and Tobago and CARICOM fully subscribe to the aims and objectives of the Arms Trade Treaty, as a critical vehicle to address the scourge of the illicit arms trade. We do so because we understand all too well that the continued presence of this menace in our region can, if left unchecked, undermine our peace and security and limit our progress towards sustainable development.”

Nuclear weapons: “Trinidad and Tobago recognizes that as we celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the creation of the United Nations, the international community still grapples with the goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons. Trinidad and Tobago and the other members of the Caribbean Community join with the countries of Latin America, in celebrating our common commitment to denuclearization through the establishment of our region as the first nuclear-free zone in the world. The disastrous humanitarian consequences of the use of the nuclear option today for a large number of people from diverse regions of the world could result in widespread suffering, dislocation of populations, increased migration, thus undermining the peace, security and development of many countries and regions. This reality should chasten all peoples and especially the leaders of countries possessing such weapons.”

Iran’s nuclear programme: “Accordingly, we welcome the Nuclear Deal negotiated by the United States, its partners and the Islamic Republic of Iran. We wish to congratulate all the parties involved for the tenacity and patience they demonstrated in that complex and demanding process and challenge both sides to honour their commitments.”

Turkey
H.E. HE AHMET DAVUTOGLU, Prime Minister
30 September 2015

Explosive weapons in populated areas, chemical weapons: “The number of Syrians who fled chemical weapons, missiles and indiscriminate aerial bombardment by the Assad regime and ground assault by the terrorist organization DAESH has exceeded 4 million.”

Explosive weapons in populated areas: "His family was trying to escape from the indiscriminate barrel bombs in his town somewhere in Syria, onto an imagined land of hope, anywhere in Europe."

Tuvalu
H.E. Mr. Taukelina Finikaso, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
2 October 2015

Nuclear waste: “The blue oceans is not a sink for radio-active spillovers of nuclear wastes, it’s not a dumb for industrial and general garbage; it’s not a carpet to sweep and hide our dirt under.”

Uganda
H.E. Mr. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
28 September 2015

No disarmament references.

Ukraine
H.E. Mr. Petro Poroshenko, President
29 September 2015

Arms trade: “For over 20 months, Russia's aggression against my country has been continuing through financing of terrorists and mercenaries, and supplies of arms and military equipment to the illegal armed groups in Donbas”

Nuclear weapons: “This time, the aggressor is Russia - neighboring country, former strategic partner that legally pledged to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of Ukraine. This country used to be a guarantor of Ukraine's security under the Budapest Memorandum, whereby security guarantees were provided to my country in exchange for a voluntary renunciation of the world's third nuclear arsenal.”

Nuclear energy: “Next year we will mark the sad anniversary - 30 years since the tragedy at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station. I would like to request you, Mr. President, to hold a special meeting of the General Assembly, dedicated to the thirtieth anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster in April 2016.”

United Arab Emirates
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs
2 October 2015

No disarmament references.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
H.E. Mr. Phillip Hammond, Secretary of State
29 September 2015

WMD: "At the same time, the rules-based international system that keeps the peace between nations is being undermined by states willing to violate the territorial integrity of others, or to breach the most fundamental prohibitions on weapons of mass destruction."

United States of Ameria
H.E. Mr. Barack Obama , President
28 September 2015

Iran's nuclear programme: “After I took office, I made clear that one of the principal achievements of this body - the nuclear non-proliferation regime -- was endangered by Iran's violation of the NPT. On that basis, the Security Council tightened sanctions on the Iranian government, and many nations joined us to enforce them. Together, we showed that laws and agreements mean something.

But we also understood that the goal of sanctions was not simply to punish Iran. Our objective was to test whether Iran could change course, accept constraints,. and allow the world to verify that its nuclear program will be peaceful. For two years, the United States and our partners -- including Russia, including China -- stuck together in complex negotiations. The result is a lasting, comprehensive deal that prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear·weapon, while allowing it to access peaceful energy. And if this deal is fully implemented, the prohibition on nuclear weapons is strengthened, a potential war is averted, our world is safer. That is the strength of the international system when it works the way it should.”

Explosive weapons in populated areas: “We're told that such retrenchment is required to beat back disorder; that it's the only way to stamp out terrorism, or prevent foreign meddling. In accordance with this logic, ·we should support tyrants like Bashar al-Assad, who drops barrel bombs to massacre innocent children, because the alternative is surely worse.”

"Let's remember how this started. Assad reacted to peaceful protests by escalating repression and killing that, in turn, created the environment for the current strife. And so Assad and his allies cannot simply pacify the broad majority of a population who have been brutalized by chemical weapons and indiscriminate bombing. Yes, realism dictates that compromise will be required to end the fighting and ultimately stamp out ISIL. But realism also requires a managed transition away from Assad and to a new leader, and an inclusive government that recognizes there must pe an end to this chaos so that the Syrian people can begin to rebuild."

Militarism: “As President of the United States, I am.mindful of.the dangers that we face;· they cross my desk every morning. I lead the strongest military that the world has ever known, and I will never hesitate to protect my country or our allies, unilaterally and by force where necessary.

But I stand before you today believing in my core that we, the nations of the world, cannot return to the old ways of conflict and coercion. We cannot look backwards. We live in an integrated world -- one in which we all have a stake in each other's success. We cannot turn those forces of integration. No nation in this Assembly can insulate itself from the threat of terrorism, or the risk of financial contagion; the flow of migrants, or the danger of a warming planet. The disorder we see is not driven solely by competition between nations or any-single ideology. And if we cannot work together more effectively, we will all suffer the consequences. That.is true for the United States, as well.

No matter how powerful our military, how strong our economy, we understand the United States cannot solve the world's problems alone. In Iraq, the United States learned the hard lesson that even hundreds of thousands of brave, effective troops, trillions of dollars from our Treasury, cannot by itself impose stability on a foreign land. Unless we work with other nations under the mantle of international norms and principles and law that offer legitimacy to our efforts, we will not succeed. And unless we work together to defeat the ideas that drive different communities in a country like Iraq into conflict, any order that our militaries can impose will be temporary.”

Uruguay
H.E. Mr. Tabaré Vázquez, President
29 September 2015

No disarmament references.

Vanuatu
H.E. Mr. Meltek Sato Kilman Livtuvanu, Prime Minister
30 September 2015

No disamament references.

Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
H.E. Mr. Nicolás Maduro Moros, President
29 September 2015

No disarmament references.

Viet Nam
H.E. Mrs. Nguyen Phuong Nga, Permanent Representative
2 October 2015

Nuclear weapons: “Threats to the very survival of mankind remain. The nuclear weapons arsenal, though reduced, is still capable of destroying our home planet many times over.”

Iran’s nuclear programme: “It is in such spirit that we welcome the recent progress made in addressing the Iranian nuclear issue, which is a first step towards a long-term solution that could bring peace, security and stability to the larger region.”

Yemen
H.E. Mr. Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi Mansour, President
29 September 2015

Statement note yet available.

Zambia
H.E. Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President
29 September 2015

No disarmament references.

Zimbabwe
H.E. Mr. Robert Mugabe, President
28 September 2015

No disarmament references.