UNGA Disarmament Index 2016: A–G

This is an index of all references made to issues of disarmament and arms control made during the 71st General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly from 20–30 September 2016.

A-G | H-R | S-Z

UN Secretary-General
H.E. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the UN
20 September 2016

Use of explosive weapons in populated areas, arms transfers: "In today's world, the conflict in Syria is taking the greatest number of lives and sowing the widest instability. There is no military solution. Many groups have killed many innocents - but none more so than the Government of Syria, which continues to barrel bomb neighbourhoods and systematically torture thousands of detainees. Powerful patrons that keep feeding the war machine also have blood on their hands. Present in this Hall today are representatives of governments that' have ignored, facilitated, funded, participated in or even planned and carried out atrocities inflicted by all sides of the Syria conflict against Syrian civilians.

"Just when we think it cannot get any worse, the bar of depravity sinks lower. Yesterday's sickening, savage, and apparently deliberate attack on a UN-Syrian Arab Red Crescent aid convoy is the latest example. The United Nations has been forced to suspend aid convoys as a result of this outrage. The humanitarians delivering life-saving aid were heroes. Those who bombed them were cowards."

Cluster munitions, arms trade, nuclear weapons: "The control of murderous weapons has increased thanks to the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Arms Trade Treaty, as well as effective action against chemical weapons. We must build on this momentum to get closer to the ultimate objective: to eliminate nuclear weapons once and for all."

Nuclear weapons: "On the Korean Peninsula, the fifth nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has again threatened regional and international security. Meanwhile, the people's suffering and plight are worsening. I urge the leaders of the DPRK to change course and fulfil their obligations - to their own people and to the family of nations."

President of the General Assembly
H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson
20 September 2016

Disarmament, non-proliferation: "It is my hope that in collaboration with Member States and the wider UN community, it will also prove possible over coming months to take steps to advance other pressing agendas for the organization: ... To strive for greater consensus on disarmament and non-proliferation."

Afghanistan
H.E. Mr. Sarwar Danesh, Vice President
21 September 2016

Nuclear weapons: "Afghanistan supports the historic agreement between 5+1 countries and the Islamic Republic of Iran on the Iranian nuclear program within the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and deems implementation of this agreement as constructive for the provision of peace, stability, and sustainable development of the region and the world.

"In regards to nuclear programs, I should add that we believe, North Korea's tests of nuclear weapons are dangerous for the region and can endanger world peace and security."

Albania
H.E. Mr. Bujar Nishani, President
23 September 2016

No relevant references.

Algeria
H.E. Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, Deputy Prime Minister
22 September 2016

No relevant references.

Andorra
H.E. Mr. Antoni Martí Petit, Prime Minister
23 September 2016

No relevant references.

Angola
H.E. Mr. Manuel Domingos Vicente, Vice-President
22 September 2016

No relevant references.

Antigua and Barbuda
H.E. Mr. Gaston Alphonso Browne, Prime Minister
24 September 2016

No relevant references.

Argentina
H.E. Mr. Mauricio Macri, President
20 September 2016

No relevant references.

Armenia
H.E. Mr. Edward Nalbandian, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016

No relevant references.

Australia
H.E. Mr. Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister
21 September 2016

Arms Trade Treaty: "Despite setbacks to lasting peace, notably in Syria, over the past five years the UN system has produced a global Arms Trade Treaty, a pivotal global agreement on climate change, a transformational set of sustainable development goals and a global blueprint for disaster risk reduction."

Nuclear testing, DPRK: "The UN's role illustrates that vigilance against the risk of new conflicts requires investing in – and protecting – the international rules based order. We were all reminded of this recently, when North Korea launched three medium-range ballistic missiles. Days later, Pyongyang conducted what we understand to be its largest ever nuclear test. The provocative and dangerous actions of this rogue state breach unanimously agreed United Nations Security Council Resolutions and threaten global peace and security.
[…]
Such provocation requires action and Australia will work with the Security Council to support additional sanctions against North Korea."

Non-proliferation: "This shows why it was important that Australia and Myanmar secured agreement at the East Asia Summit to a new commitment to end the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and to work to support non-proliferation."

Austria
H.E. Mr. Sebastian Kurz, Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs
21 September 2016

Weapons of mass destruction: "The destruction of military conflicts is rising, violent extremism is growing, and weapons of mass destruction still exist."

Nuclear weapons: "In a world that is less and less secure and faced with more and more tensions between big powers, nucelar disarmament remains the number one unfinished business. The recent nuclear tests by DPRK should be a warning signal. We all agree that the humanitarian consequences of the explosion of nuclear weapons would be unacceptable, and therefore, we have to finally get rid of all these nuclear weapons. Experience shows that the first step to eliminate weapons of mass destruction is to prohibit them through legally-binding norms. Together with other member states, Austria will table a draft resolution to convene negotiations on a legally-binding comprehensive instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons in 2017."

Explosive weapons: "We also need to put an end to the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. When such weapons are used in cities and other urban areas, as we have seen in Syria, more than 90 per cent of the victims are civilians. The destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, and other infrastructure forces people to leave. Without these weapons, the world would be a safer place, especially for children, women, and elderly people. We will therefore convene a meeting in early October to promote this goal and we hope for all your support."

Azerbaijan
H.E. Mr. Elmar Maharram olgu Mammadyarov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016

Armed violence, civilian impact: "Most recently, in early April this year Armenia conducted large-scale attacks against the civilian population of Azerbaijan. It subjected the densely populated areas of Azerbaijan, including schools, hospitals, and places of worship, to intensive fire with heavy artillery and large-caliber weapons. As a result of Armenia's reckless attacks, large numbers of Azerbaijani civilians, including children, women and elderly were killed or seriously wounded.
[…]
During those attacks, 34 towns and villages in Azerbaijan suffered severe destructions. Substantial damages were inflicted upon private and public property, including civilian critical infrastructure. In particular, hundreds of civilian buildings, among them residential houses, schools, kindergartens, cultural centres and other civilian facilities were ruined."

Bahamas
H.E. Mr. Frederick Mitchell, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016

No relevant references.

Bahrain
H.E. Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016

Armed conflict, civilian impact: "We underline the humanitarian role played by the Coalition forces and their determination not to target civilians."

Nuclear weapons: "The Kingdom of Bahrain reaffirms the need to join efforts to establish a zone free from weapons of mass destruction, notably nuclear weapons, in the Middle East, including the Arabian Gulf region, while stressing the right of countries to the use of nuclear power for peaceful purposes. Indeed, nuclear power was created to serve human beings and to improve their lives, not to harm them or be used as a lethal weapon to obliterate entire cities and kill millions of innocent people."

Bangladesh
H.E. Ms. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister
21 September 2016

Arms trade: "We have to identify the root causes of terrorism and violent extremism. At the same time, we have to find out the mentors, masterminds, abettors, financiers, arms suppliers and trainers of the terrorists and extremists, and take strong action against them."

"At the same time, I would like to urge the world community to plug the sources of fund, arms and ammunition as well as moral and material support for the militants and terrorists across the borders."

Barbados
H.E. Ms. Maxine Pamela Ometa McClean, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
24 September 2016

No relevant references.

Belarus
H.E. Mr. Valentin Rybakov, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016

No relevant references.

Belgium
H.E. Mr. Charles Michel, Prime Minister
23 September 2016

No relevant references.

Belize
H.E. Mr. Wilfred Elrington, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016

Armed violence: "Continuous illegal entry by armed trespassers from Guatemala persisted despite the valiant efforts of our border patrol to deter them. […] From time to time in the course of attempting to apprehend the trespassers, firearms are used by Belize security personnel and by the trespassers who are invariably armed."

Small arms and light weapons, armed violence: "The Report discloses, that the deceased had been detained by security personnel in Belize a mere month prior to the incident. At the time of detention he had in his possession, unlawfully, a .22 caliber rifle and wild game. […] And, that none of the wounds inflicted was caused by weapons carried by personnel of the Belize Defence Force. The wounds were inflicted by small caliber firearms carried on the night of the incident by two members of a local conservation Non Government Organisation (NGO) that made up the Belize Patrol. Shots were fired by both groups – the Guatemalans and the Belizean joint patrol – on that ill fated night."

Nuclear testing, DPRK: "We stand in solidarity with South Korea in the face of North Korea’s irresponsible experiment with nuclear and missile programmes, including the conducting of nuclear tests in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. We join the international community in condemning these actions which pose a clear and present danger not only to South Korea but to the entire world."

Benin
H.E. Mr. Patrice Athanase Guillaume Talon, President
22 September 2016

No relevant references.

Bhutan
H.E. Mr. Lyonpo Damcho Dorji, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016

Arms trade, military spending: "The value of arms trade and global military expenditures has exceeded cold war levels."

Nuclear weapons: "The current stockpile of nuclear weapons is enough to destroy our planet hundreds of times over. This unimaginable destructive power still looms as a grave threat."

Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
H.E. Mr. Evo Morales Ayma, Constitutional President
21 September 2016

No relevant references.

Bosnia and Herzegovina
H.E. Mr. Bakir Izetbegović, Chairman of the Presidency
21 September 2016

No relevant references.

Botswana
H.E. Mr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, Vice-President
23 September 2016

Nuclear testing, DPRK: "We are equally concerned and strongly condemn the continued blatant contravention of international law and UN resolutions by North Korea through its continuous testing of ballistic missiles."

Brazil
H.E. Michel Temer, President
20 September 2016

Nuclear weapons: "Another reason for concern is the lack of progress in the agenda of nuclear disarmament. Today, there are more than 15,000 nuclear weapons in the world. That amounts to more than 15,000 threats to international peace and security.

"The most recent nuclear test in the Korean Peninsula is a reminder of the danger that nuclear proliferation also poses. Brazil can speak with the authority of a country where the use of nuclear energy exclusively for peaceful purposes is an obligation enshrined in the Constitution.

"Yet, not all news is bad. There are examples - already mentioned on different occasions - of what can be accomplished through dialogue. We celebrate that diplomacy has prevailed in the Iranian nuclear issue, and encourage full compliance with the agreements reached."

"This year, Brazil and Argentina celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Brazilian- Argentine Agency for Accounting and Control of Nuclear Materials. The Agency is the world's only bi-national organization responsible for applying nuclear safeguards. As Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stated, the Agency is an inspiration for regional and global efforts towards the elimination of nuclear weapons."

Arms trafficking: "Manifold challenges transcend national borders. Among them is drugs and weapons trafficking, which is felt in our cities, in our schools, and in our families."

Bulgaria
H.E. Mr. Rosen Plevneliev, President
22 September 2016

Nuclear weapons: "Bulgaria supports the implementation of the agreement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian Nuclear Programme which is an important step forward in achieving stability in the region. We hope that all agreed measures will be fully implemented."

"DPRK's fifth consecutive nuclear test carried out in September is a direct violation of the UN Security Council Resolutions. We urge the DPRK to suspend its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and to resume dialogue with the international community, including in the framework of the Six-Party talks."

Burkina Faso
H.E. Mr. Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, President
22 September 2016

Disarmament generally: "On the issue of disarmament in general, it is important to pursue our efforts to build trust between states."

Small arms and light weapons, ATT: "Indeed, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons poses a real threat to peace and security, particularly in Africa. Implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty significantly reduces this threat which hangs over the development of our states."

Weapons of mass destruction, conventional weapons: "Burkina Faso strongly supports action taken by the UN to achieve general and competely disarmament both in terms of weapons of mass destruction and conventional weapons."

Burundi
H.E. Mr. Alain Aimé Nyamitwe, Minister of External Affairs
24 September 2016

Weapons of mass destruction & terrorism: "Burundi participates also in other initiatives such as the CBRN, aimed at preventing terrorist groups or non-state actors from acquiring chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear substances, which, once in the hands of those groups, can be diverted for terrorist purposes.

Cabo Verde
H.E. Mr. Luis Filipe Lopes Tavares, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016

No relevant references.

Cambodia
H.E. Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016

Armed violence, civilian impact: "One word sums up the tragedy of our world: violence. The violence of war, terrorist violence, violence against civilians and particularly against childhood […]"

Cameroon
H.E. Mr. Paul Biya, President
22 September 2016

No relevant references.

Canada
H.E. Mr. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister
20 September 2016

No relevant references.

Central African Republic
H.E. Mr. Faustin Archange Touadera, President
23 September 2016

Disarmament: "On peace and security, the government is determined to implement swiftly the programme for disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration and repatriation (DDRR) to allow all men and women from the Central African Republic and everywhere to live in peace and security in their country."

Security financing: "Security sector reform also remains a major concern for the government.
[…]
That is why I am taking this opportunity to urge widespread mobilisation of our partners ahead of the next Brussels conference scheduled on 17 November this year, in order to provide financing here."

Small arms and light weapons: "Defence and security forces must continue to bolster border controls against threats such as transnational crime, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, money laundering, the trafficking of drugs and narcotics, terrorism, and the trafficking of human beings."

Arms embargo: "The government has taken urgent measures to reestablish the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) which would allow us to put in place an inclusive republican army.
To this end, I plead on behalf of my country for a total lifting of the arms embargo imposed on the CAR. It must be remembered that if this was necessary in the past, it is no longer justified in this time of national reconstruction."

Chad
H.E. Mr. Idriss Déby Itno, President
20 September 2016

No relevant references.

Chile
H.E. Mrs. Michelle Bachelet Jeria, President
21 September 2016

No relevant references.

China
H.E. Mr. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council
21 September 2016

Nuclear, Korean Peninsula: "On the Korean nuclear issue, we should remain committed to the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, uphold peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and seek consultation and a dialogue-based solution so as to maintain the international nuclear non-proliferation regime."

Colombia
H.E. Mr. Juan Manuel Santos Calderón
21 September 2016

Conflict in Colombia: "On August 24th the negotiators in Havana declared that everything was agreed and they adopted the final text of the Agreement for the Termination of the Conflict. Five days later, a bilateral and definitive ceasefire and cease of hostilities took place. Since then, there has not been a single death, a single wound, a single bullet fired, in the conflict with the FARC. The Agreement will be officially signed in Cartegna de Indias on September 26th. The people of Colombia will approve it through a plebiscite on October 2nd. From that moment on, the former members of the guerilla will start going to concentration areas where they will surrender their arms to the United Nations in a 6 month period, and will begin their process of reintegration into society. […] What does this Agreement mean? Above all it means that the FARC cease to exist as an armed group, reintegrate into society and may become a political movement within our democracy. […] This is the first time in the history of the resolution of armed conflicts in the world that a government and an illegal armed group agree on a transitional justice to submit to through an agreement and not through external imposition."

Anti-personnel mines: "The State and the FARC will work jointly to demine all of the national territory. This will also bring great benefits for the environment, not only for our country but also for the planet."

Comoros
H.E. Mr. Azali Assoumani, President
23 September 2016

No relevant references.

Congo
H.E. Mr. Jean-Claude Gakosso, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016

No relevant references.

Costa Rica
H.E. Mr. Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, President
20 September 2016

Arms trade: "The fight against terrorism must be framed in a strict observance of international law, including human rights law, international humanitarian law, and international law on refugees. In this context, we think this is the moment to make a respectful request to the countries that are yet to ratify the Arms Trade Treaty to do so without any further delay. The diversion of arms to extremist groups could be substantially reduced if more States were to implement the dis- positions set forth on this multilateral and legally binding instrument."

Nuclear weapons: "Costa Rica follows with concern, the constant launches of missiles and the execution of nuclear exercises by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the most recent one being on Septem- ber 9. In addition to voicing our strongest condemnation and rejection of these types of actions which represent a serious threat to peace, stability, and the regional and international security, we must demand that North Korea stops these punishable acts, which unequivocally violate relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, including the most recent one, resolution 2270 (2016)."

Côte d'Ivoire
H.E. Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President
22 September 2016

No relevant references.

Croatia
H.E. Ms. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, President
21 September 2016

Disarmament: "When countering global threats that impede the emergence and growth of resilient societies, the issue of disarmament must remain at the forefront."

Arms trade, cluster munitions: "Recently we have achieved success in the development and implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions."

Nuclear weapons: "At the same time, large parts of the UN disarmament machinery are stalled. The NPT 2015 review conference of state parties remains a case in point.I n our quest for a more secure global community, we must spare no effort in the field of nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Twenty years have passed since the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty was opened for signature, but we still mustinvigorate our determination to become a nuclear-test-free world."

Small arms, cyber, disarmament: "New technologies and the fourth industrial revolution are changing our lives for the better in more ways than one. However, they also have a negative impact on security and disarmament. Technology like 3D printing is changing the algorithm in the field of conventional weapons and the misuse of cyberspace might have unforeseen consequences in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear fields. Therefore, we must broaden our reach when it comes to disarmament topics and align it with new realities."

Cuba
H.E. Mr. Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla, Minister for Foreign Affairs
22 September 2016

Arms: "NATO's attempts to expand its presence closer to the Russian borders as well as the deployment of anti-missile systems are an incentive to the arms race and a threat to international peace and security."

Military bases: "The territory illegally occupied by the US naval base in Guantánamo against Cuba's will, must be returned to our country."

Cyprus
H.E. Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, President
22 September 2016

No relevant references.

Czech Republic
H.E. Mr. Miloš Zeman, President
21 September 2016

No relevant references.

Democratic People's Republic of Korea
H.E. Mr. Ri Yong Ho, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016

Nuclear war, Korean Peninsula: "The Korean Peninsula has now been turned into the world's most dangerous hot spot which can even ignite the outbreak of a nuclear war."

"[T]he situation on the Korean peninsula is often engulfed in a state that goes out of control, whose root-cause squarely lies in the United States which does not abandon its hostile policy towards the DPRK but hold aggressive war exercises one after another in and around the Korean Peninsula.
The large joint military exercises conducted by the United States during the period of March to April and August to September this year were extremely provocative massive military manoeuvres involving troops of over half a million and strategic assets including strategic nuclear bombers and strategic nuclear submarines which are more than enough to wage an all-out war in terms of their scale.
These exercises are thoroughly offensive and aggressive nuclear war exercises in their nature as they mainly include operations of high precision strike, commando infiltrating, landing and pre-emptive nuclear strike aimed at "decapitation" of the leadership of the DPRK and "occupation of Pyongyang"."

Nuclear weapons, nuclear armament: "The DPRK had no other choice but to go nuclear inevitably after it has done everything possible to defend the national security from the constant nuclear threats from the United States which had continued over the century from the 1950s.
Our decision to strengthen nuclear armament is a righteous self-defensive measure to protect ourselves from the constant nuclear threats of the United States."

"Nevertheless, the UN Security Council declared that the DPRK's ongoing nuclear and ballistic missile-related activities are a clear threat to international peace and security, even in the so-called "Resolution 2270" which was fabricated most recently against the DPRK.
As for the legal basis of the "resolution", there is no provision either in the UN Charter and or in any other international code which stipulates that the nuclear and ballistic rocket activity poses a threat to the international peace and security.
In practice, those countries that had begun same activities far ahead of the DPRK have never been called into question at the UN Security Council.
Then, one cannot ask but on what ground and with what authority the Security Council adopted the "resolution" prohibiting nuclear and ballistic rocket activities of the DPRK. If the Security Council has such ground and authority, why is it that it does not take issue with those countries which conduct the same nuclear and ballistic rocket activities."

"Going nuclear armed is the policy of our state.
As long as there exists a nuclear weapon state in hostile relations with the DPRK, our national security and the peace on the Korean Peninsula can be defended only with reliable nuclear deterrence.
The reason why we had no other option but to strengthen our nuclear deterrence with all hearts and soul may not be easily understood by the European countries whose security sense has become less sensitive after quarter of a century since the end of the Cold War or those countries which have never experienced the nuclear weapons of a hostile power appearing at their doorstep and around their air space."

"The DPRK will continue to take measures to strengthen its national nuclear armed forces in both quantity and quality in order to defend the dignity and right to existence and safeguard genuine peace vis-à-vis the increased nuclear war threat of the United States."

"The United States raises the issue of human rights of the DPRK as it finds itself at a loss in dealing with the nuclear issue."

"The Government of the DPRK will push ahead with the vigorous struggle to remove the root cause of the threat of nuclear war imposed by the United States, by means of powerful nuclear deterrence, safeguard the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula, Asia and the world at large and to denuclearise the world."

Nuclear testing: "The successful nuclear warhead explosion test that we have conducted recently is a part of practical countermeasure to the racket of threats and sanctions of the hostile forces including the United States which viciously make an issue of the exercise of the right to self-defense of the DPRK."

Democratic Republic of the Congo
H.E. Mr. Raymond Tshibanda N'tungamulongo, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016

Armed groups: "The mandate of MONUSCO was extended to 31 March 2017 by Security Council Resolution 2272 in order to support the commendable efforts of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo towards eliminating those armed groups still resistant to peace."

Denmark
H.E. Mr. Ib Petersen, Permanent Representative
26 September 2016

Nuclear weapons, DPRK: "All countries must abide by their obligations under international law, including on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. In this regard, Denmark condemns the recent nuclear tests conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and urge the international society to respond in a strong and unified manner."

Dominica
H.E. Ms. Francine Baron, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016

Nuclear weapons, DPRK: "The threat posed by nuclear weapons especially by the determination of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to develop weapons with the ability to kill millions, is a major threat not only to its neighbours but to people everywhere.
The United Nations must, without hesitation, take strong and decisive action […] to eliminate the nuclear capability of the DPRK."

Dominican Republic
H.E. Mr. Danilo Medina Sánchez, President
21 September 2016

No relevant references.

Ecuador
H.E. Mr. Guillaume Long, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016

Nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction, explosive weapons: "[Ecuador] has no weapons of mass destruction. We are not at war with any country in the world, nor are we bombing anyone. We encourage the immediate entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty."

Egypt
H.E. Mr. Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, President
20 September 2016

No relevant references.

El Salvador
H.E. Mr. Salvador Sánchez Cerén, President
22 September 2016

Weapons of mass destruction (nuclear): "Maintaining peace and security at international levels is an essential requirement for the success of the 2030 Agenda. Therefore, we must restate that the ongoing existence of weapons of mass destruction is a disturbing threat for humanity, and we reaffirm that their use, or the threat of use, is a clear violation of the United Nations Charter as a crime against humanity, representing a clear violation of international law and international humanitarian law."

Equatorial Guinea
H.E. Mr. Agapito Mba Mokuy, Minister for Foreign Affairs
22 September 2016

Arms trade: "We recognise that the policy of partnering with one of the belligerent parties and supplying them with arms is a policy which only leads to death, suffering, desolation, and the attendant migrant and refugee crisis.
[…]
Let us therefore set off again on the path of dialogue, of saying no to the supply of arms."

Non-proliferation: "Let us stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and stop conflicts by alternative means which prioritise a culture of peace and not of warfare."

Eritrea
H.E. Mr. Osman Mohammed Saleh, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016

Armed violence: "We have been subjected to incessant hostility, sanctions, economic, financial and diplomatic pressures as well as armed attacks and psychological warfare."

Estonia
H.E. Mr. Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President
21 September 2016

No relevant references.

Ethiopia
H.E. Mr. Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister
21 September 2016

No relevant references.

European Union
H.E. Mr. Donald Tusk, President of the European Council
21 September 2016

Nuclear testing: "Our main goal will always be peace. This is as true for civil wars in the Middle East or Africa as it is for nuclear testing and territorial disputes in Asia."

Fiji
H.E. Mr. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister
20 September 2016

No relevant references.

Finland
H.E. Mr. Sauli Niinistö, President
21 September 2016

Nuclear weapons: “The recent nuclear test by North Korea is a cause for grave concern.”

Arms trade: “Problems with the illicit flow of conventional weapons continue but finally there is progress. The Arms Trade Treaty has entered into force. But two tasks remain: it needs to be adopted by all and implemented effectively.”

France
H.E. Mr. François Hollande, President
20 September 2016

Explosive weapons in populated areas & chemical weapons (Syria): "Finally, I call for action in Syria. The conflict has brought 400,000 deaths, Aleppo is a martyred city, thousands of children are crushed under bombs, whole communities are starving, humanitarian convoys are attacked, chemical weapons are used […]
France urges the Security Council to come together and move forward… Denouce and penalise the use of chemical weapons by the regime in the last few weeks. This is justice."

Gabon
H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016

Disarmament: "My country remains particularly concerned with the absence of progress in the processes of general and complete disarmament, and the paralysis of multilateral disarmament mechanisms. Resuming discussions requires the participation of all UN Member States. The status quo is not a viable solution."

Gambia
H.E. Ms. Isatou Njie Saidy, Vice-President
21 September 2016

No relevant references.

Georgia
H.E. Mr. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister
21 September 2016

No relevant references.

Germany
H.E. Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016

Nuclear testing, DPRK: "North Korea has violated central principles of international law in a blatant manner time and again. We condemn the latest nuclear test carried out by North Korea in the strongest possible terms. We cannot accept any country jeopardising security in its region."

Explosive weapons, Syria: "The hope raised by the ceasefire [in Syria] last week has vanished again following the deadly, cynical and despicable attack on humanitarian aid workers a few days ago.
Today, the situaiton could not be more serious! We are again faced with the choice: will we succeed in taking the first step towards a ceasefire which finally makes humanitarian access possible so that people receive what they need to survive. […] If we do not succeed, then all efforts to find a political solution will be lost in a hail of bombs."

"While the world is working flat out here in New York for a ceasefire, Assad is continuing to bomb Aleppo to bits."

Arms control, arms technology: "We have to be aware that genuine and lasting security in Europe can only take the form of cooperative security.
That is why I have proposed that greater attention be paid once more to arms control in Europe. This is not meant as a substitute for obligations which have not been met. Rather, I am thinking here of the new challenges and new technologies and threats, many of which are not even mentioned in existing documents. Our goal is more security for everyone."

Ghana
H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama, President
21 September 2016

Nuclear weapons: “The era of the cold war created a paradoxical safety and security. The bipolar world and the arms race assured mutual destruction from any nuclear war. The world was more predictable. Those of us in developing countries hid behind our shield of the Non-Aligned Movement. We marched against nuclear armaments and envisioned the day the nuclear arms race would end so the trillions of dollars spent by the superpowers on nuclear weapons would yield a dividend that will create a life of prosperity for all people on earth.”

Greece
H.E. Mr. Alexis Tsipras, Prime Minister
22 September 2016

No relevant references.

Grenada
H.E. Mr. Elvin Nimrod, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016

No relevant references.

Guatemala
H.E. Mr. Jimmy Morales, President
22 September 2016

Nuclear testing, non-proliferation: "Likewise, we reiterate our strong condemnation of the nuclear tests recently carried out on the Korean Peninsula, which consitute a flagrant violation of Security Council resolutions and the nuclear non-proliferation regime."

Guinea
H.E. Mr. Alpha Condé, President
23 September 2016

Illicit arms trade & women: "Substantial investments in empowerment for women and youth are all the more necessary in the face of the scourges of terrorism, extremism and intolerance, and the illicit traffic of arms and drugs."

Guinea-Bissau
H.E. Mr. José Mário Vaz, President
21 September 2016

Disarmament and arms control: “As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, I would also like to reiterate to this august assembly our request for the United Nations support ... for the implementation of the important Safety and Security Sector Reform, namely with respect to: The control of weapons and management of materiel; The construction of armories and renovation of barracks; The securing of funds for the reintegration of demobilized troops.”

Guyana
H.E. Mr. David Arthur Granger, President
20 September 2016

No relevant references.