logo_reaching-critical-will

UNGA Disarmament Index 2016: S–Z

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 

Saint Kitts and Nevis | Saint Lucia | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Samoa | San Marino | Sao Tome and Principe | Saudi Arabia | Senegal | Serbia | Seychelles | Sierra Leone | Singapore | Slovakia | Slovenia | Soloman Islands | Somalia | South Africa | South Sudan | Spain | Sri LankaSudan | Suriname | Swaziland | Sweden | Switzerland | Syrian Arab Republic 
Tajikistan | Tanzania | Thailand | Timor-Leste | Togo | Tonga | Trinidad and Tobago | Tunisia | Turkey | Turkmenistan | Tuvalu 
Uganda | Ukraine | United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | United States | Uruguay | Uzbekistan
Vanuatu | Venezuela | Viet Nam | Yemen | Zambia | Zimbabwe

Saint Kitts and Nevis
H.E. Mr. Timothy Harris, Prime Minister
24 September 2016 

Small arms and light weapons: "It is important Mr. President that in keeping with our commitment to working more collaboratively to stem the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, the Caribbean Governments have adopted the CARICOM Declaration on Small Arms and Light Weapons in my own country's capital of Basseterre on July 4th, 2011. These weapons have had devastating effects on many young lives and families." 

Arms Trade Treaty: "St. Kitts and Nevis has now signed and ratified the Arms Trade Treaty but we are still in need of much support."

Saint Lucia
H.E. Mr. Allen Michael Chastanet, Prime Minister
24 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
H.E. Mr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister
23 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Samoa (audio only, no written statement available)
H.E. Mr. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister
23 September 2016

Nuclear testing, DPRK: "It is with that conviction that Samoa calls on the Security Council to address the threat posed by the recent actions of North Korea on the peace and stability of the Asia and the Pacific region, if not the whole world."

Military spending, disarmament and development: "Imagine how easily achievable some, if not all, of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goalss would be if all the resources spent on the futility of wars were instead diverted for much needed economic and social activities so necessary for the creation of the peaceful society."

San Marino
H.E. Mr. Pasquale Valentini, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016

No relevant references.  

São Tomé and Príncipe
H.E. Mr Patrice Emery Trovoada, Prime Minister
23 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Saudi Arabia
H.H. Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince
21 September 2016 

Nuclear weapons: "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirms once again the importance of making the Middle East a Free Zone from all weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons. Thus, there is an absolute need for Israel to placing its nuclear facilities under the international inspections of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and signing the Convention on the Prohibition of, the Development. We also confirm that achieving security and stability in the region does not come through the pursuit of possessing these weapons or interfering in other countries' national matters, rather it comes from establishing relations based on good-neighborly relations and constructive cooperation.

"In this range, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns the nuclear tests conducted by North Korea and considers that they constitute a threat to international peace and security and calling to reach a solution to the outstanding issues in the region through peaceful means."

Senegal
H.E. Mr. Macky Sall, President
20 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Serbia
H.E. Mr. Aleksandar Vučić, Prime Minister
22 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Seychelles
H.E. Ms. Marie-Louise Potter, Permanent Representative
26 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Sierra Leone
H.E. Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President
22 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Singapore
H.E. Mr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Slovakia
H.E. Mr. Andrej Kiska, President
20 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Slovenia
H.E. Mr. Borut Pahor, President
20 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Solomon Islands
H.E. Mr. Manasseh Sogavare, Prime Minister
23 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Somalia
H.E. Mr. Abdusalam Hadliyeh Omer, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016

No relevant references. 

South Africa
H.E. Mr. Jacob Zuma, President
20 September 2016

Small arms: "The African Union has resolved that Africa must silence the guns by 2020.”

South Sudan
H.E. Mr. Taban Deng Gai, Vice-President
23 September 2016 

Nuclear proliferation: "Therefore, it is imperative that we work together to resolve critical issues that affect our planet such as terrorism, conflicts, migration and climate change, nuclear proliferation, racism, food insecurity etc."

Spain
H.E. King Don Felipe VI
20 September 2016

Nuclear weapons: "Spain welcomed the agreement regarding the Iranian nuclear program, and we celebrate the verification of compliance by Iran, leading to the halt of sanctions and opening the door to a new trade regime with limited restrictions."

Non-proliferation, nuclear weapons: "Spain follows with great concern the serious and systematic violations of the non-proliferation regime by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. We call upon the DPRK to focus all its efforts to sincerely achieve a climate of understanding and dialogue with the international community."

Sri Lanka
H.E. Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, President
21 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Sudan
H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Ahmed Abd al-Aziz Ghandour, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Suriname
H.E. Ms. Niermala Badrising, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016

No relevant references.  

Swaziland
H.E. Mr. Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, Prime Minister
24 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Sweden
H.E. Ms. Margot Wallström, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016

Nuclear proliferation, nuclear testing: "The basic tenets of our co-existence are being challenged. Borders changed through aggression. Proliferation – and testing – of nuclear weapons."

Armed conflict: "Prevention of armed conflict must be at the core of UN action."

Disarmament: "[Security] leads us to emphasise de-escalation and disarmament, mediation and dialogue, conflict prevention and peacebuilding."

Switzerland 
H.E. Mr. Johan Schneider-Ammann, President
20 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Syrian Arab Republic
H.E. Mr. Walid Al-Moualem, Deputy Prime Minister
24 September 2016

Arms supply: "[Qatar and Saudi Arabia] have bragged about supporting terrorism in every way, sending into Syria thousands of mercenaries, equipped with the most sophisticated weapons." 

Nuclear weapons, NPT: "Syria reaffirms that Israel's aggressive policies do not only threaten Syria but the whole region, especially given Israel's nuclear arsenal. We have stressed time and again the need to compel Israel to join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and other treaties on WMDs, and to subject its nuclear installations to the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)."

Nuclear energy, nuclear disarmament: "Syria stresses the right of states to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. We have always called for creating a WMD-free zone in the Middle East."

Chemical weapons: "In fact, we have efficiently and responsibly eliminated all chemical weapons in Syria, in cooperation with the Joint Mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations. In this regard, Syria reiterates its readiness to continue its cooperation with the Joint Investigation Mechanism (JIM), as well as to continue the Syrian relevant investigation."

Tajikistan
H.E. Mr. Sirodjindin Aslov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Tanzania (United Republic of)
H.E. Mr. Augustine Phillip Mahiga, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Thailand
H.E. Mr. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister
21 September 2016 

Nuclear weapons: "Full compliance with international laws and obligations, in particular those breaches of which may result in serious humanitarian impact, such as obligations regarding nuclear disarmament, should be ensured."

Timor-Leste
H.E. Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo, Prime Minister
24 September 2016

Illicit arms trade: "Money laundering and illicit financial flows linked to terrorism are intimately connected with organised crime, and we are aware of the importance of simultaneously fighting piracy and the trafficking of drugs, persons, and arms." 

Togo
H.E. Mr. Kokou Kpayedo, Permanent Representative
26 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Tonga (audio only, no written statement available)
H.E. Mr. Samiuela 'Akilisi Pohiva, Prime Minister
24 September 2016

Disarmament, military expenditure, disarmament and development: "The maintenance of international peace and security is determined, not solely, but in a major way by the issue of disarmament. The proliferation of weapons in all their forms not only threatens international peace and security but also demonstrates the sheer waste of financial resources in the investment of governments in the manufacture and trade in arms. Such finances may better be used for international sustainable development initiatives which would logically contribute to international peace and security and a better manner of life."

Nuclear testing, DPRK, military expenditure: "The spending of trillions of dollars of defence budgets to develop weapons, including nuclear weapons, at the expense of the welfares of one’s people is offensive […]
In line wth this sentiment we wish to express our concern at recent nuclear testing by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in breach of decisions made by the United Nations in promotion of international peace and security."

Nuclear testing: "The negative effects of nuclear testing, which our Pacific Islands region has experienced, leads my country to believe in the need for controlled and managed use of nuclear capabilities and power by international standards for peaceful purposes." 

Trinidad and Tobago
H.E. Mr. Denis Moses, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2016 

Small arms and light weapons, illicit arms trade, disarmament and development: "Transnational organised crime and violence, piracy, trafficking in persons, cybercrime and the illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons pose a daunting challenge to the security of all States, but especially so to Small Island Developing States, that by definition suffer resource and other capacity constraints. As a Small Island Developing State, it is Trinidad and Tobago's experience and that of the Caribbean Community as a whole that these compounded challenges undermine our efforts for sustainable development, threatening the livelihoods of our people and the rule of law. These threats can potentially impact regional and international peace and security."

ATT, small arms and light weapons, armed violence: "Consequently, on the international level, Trinidad and Tobago, together with CARICOM, fully subscribes to the Arms Trade Treaty, with the aim of preventing armed violence in the region, and freeing many from the deadly tyranny associated with the prevalence of unregulated small arms and light weapons."

Gender and disarmament, arms control: "Further, since 2010, Trinidad and Tobago introduced and sponsored General Assembly resolution "Women, Disarmament, Non-proliferation and Arms Control" encouraging women's participation in all disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control decision-making processes at the local, regional and national levels."

Nuclear disarmament: "It is fitting that I address this General Assembly today, September 26, the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Trinidad and Tobago reiterates that the utilisation of the nuclear option would have severe humanitarian and other devastating consequences for peoples of the world. We therefore renew our call for the denuclearisation of all regions of the world and are proud to belong to a region which established the first Nuclear Weapons Free Zone pursuant to the Treaty of Tlateloco." 

"Trinidad and Tobago holds firmly to the view that the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons constitute a crime against humanity and a violation of international law, including international humanitarian law and the Charter of the United Nations. We lament the fact that forty-six years since the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty entered into force, the international community is still unable to undertake negotiations in good faith on nuclear disarmament. Mutually assured destruction, which is inevitable with the use of nuclear weapons, cannot be a solution by which to settle disputes, when both combatants and several hundred millions beyond the theatre of war, will assuredly perish. Trinidad and Tobago therefore remains robust in its support for the call for effective measures on nuclear disarmament, including the commencement of negotiations on an international instrument to prohibit and eliminate nuclear weapons – the only weapon of mass destruction not prohibited by a global legal instrument."

Tunisia
H.E. Mr. Béji Caïd Essebsi, President
20 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Turkey
H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President
20 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Turkmenistan
H.E. Rashid Meredov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
22 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Tuvalu
Mr. Enele Sosene Sopoaga, Prime Minister
23 September 2016

Nuclear testing, DPRK: "The pre-emptive and provocative actions displayed by the People's Democratic Republic of Korea against the Republic of Korea, and its potential implications against the peace and security of our own Pacific Ocean region are unacceptable. We deplore these actions, and urge for urgent actions to have these acts into complete seizure at the earliest opportunity."

Uganda
H.E. Mr. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President
20 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Ukraine
H.E. Mr. Petro Poroshenko, President
21 September 2016 

Cyber: "Political pressure, blatant propaganda, interference with electoral processes, economic coercion, secret subversive and military operations, cyber attacks, misuse of diplomatic measures – these are modern unconventional methods of undeclared wars."

Nuclear weapons: "In view of the recent developments on the Korean peninsula, the future of the nuclear non-proliferation regime is a cause of increased concern for my country. As you well know, Ukraine voluntarily dismantled its own nuclear arsenal, the third largest in the world at the time with from 2800 to 4200 tactical nuclear warheads, in exchange for security, sovereignty and territorial integrity assurances under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. Regretfully, all these assurances remained just a piece of paper. Let’s be frank, we failed to pass exam with the Budapest memorandum. Then democratic world lost its first battle – it was not only about Ukraine, but also about credibility of agreements. However, Ukraine as a responsible international actor has always been and remains a committed advocate of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. Thus, timely and effective action of the international community – the Security Council in the first place – in response to the North Korean nuclear test is one more exam for all of us. We must not allow plunging the world into a new nuclear arms race."

"Yes, they used to threaten the world with using nuclear weapons, just like Russia is doing now. However, when shown the US intelligence aerial photos, even Khruschyov could not but recognize that the Soviet missiles were stationed in Cuba."

"One more problem, which emanates from Russia’s occupation of Crimea, is its intentions to deploy tactic nuclear weapons and means of delivery in the occupied peninsula. This would destroy the global system of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and brutally violate Ukraine’s non-nuclear status."

Weapons: "The shocking reality is that there is a roughly 38,000-strong illegal military force in Donbas and its large part is regulars and mercenaries from Russia. This force is armed to the teeth by Russia. And this is no exaggeration – they have at their disposal some 475 tanks, 948 armoured vehicles, 208 multiple launch rocket systems. Russia keeps sending weapons, ammunition and manpower to Ukraine through the uncontrolled part of the Ukrainian-Russian state border. Sending by roads and by rail, on a daily basis."

"Set the captives free, stop shooting, withdraw weapons, let the OSCE carry out its mandate and watch over the Ukrainian-Russian border without hindrance, withdraw Russian weaponry as well as regular and irregular military units."

Chemical weapons: "We draw particular attention to the need to remove a threat of use of chemical weapons in [Syria]."

Nuclear power: "However, there is a clear need for continued international efforts to mitigate the impact of the disaster at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant as well as to complete the respective projects."

United Arab Emirates
H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2016 

Nuclear weapons, Iran, armed groups: "Despite the so called nuclear agreement reached between Tehran and the P5 +1, and its welcoming by regional countries, hopes that the deal would change Iran’s hostile approach have been quickly thwarted. Against all optimistic expectations, Iran wasted no time in continuing its efforts to undermine the security of the region, through aggressive rhetoric, blatant interference, producing and arming militias, developing its ballistic missile program, in addition to its alarming designation as a state sponsor of terrorism."

Nuclear weapons, DPRK: "An additional example of the inclination to avoid solving issues fundamentally and settling for condemnation alone, can be seen by the response to the decision of North Korea to develop its nuclear and ballistic capacities and carry out regular tests, which threaten the security of its neighbours, as well as international peace and security and are clearly contrary to the most fundamental rules of international law."

United Kingdom
H.E. Ms. Theresa May, Prime Minister
20 September 2016

No relevant references. 

United States of America
H.E. Mr. Barack Obama, President
20 September 2016

Nuclear weapons: "We’ve taken away terrorist safe havens, strengthened the nonproliferation regime, resolved the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomacy."

"Indeed, our international order has been so successful that we take it as a given that great powers no longer fight world wars; that the end of the Cold War lifted the shadow of nuclear Armageddon; that the battlefields of Europe have been replaced by peaceful union; that China and India remain on a path of remarkable growth."

"We cannot escape the prospect of nuclear war unless we all commit to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and pursuing a world without them. When Iran agrees to accept constraints on its nuclear program that enhances global security and enhances Iran's ability to work with other nations. On the other hand, when North Korea tests a bomb that endangers all of us. And any country that breaks this basic bargain must face consequences. And those nations with these weapons, like the United States, have a unique responsibility to pursue the path of reducing our stockpiles, and reaffirming basic norms like the commitment to never test them again."

Uruguay
H.E. Mr. Tabaré Vázquez, President
20 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Uzbekistan
H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Kamilov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016

Nuclear weapon free zone: "It was this very place where [the President of Uzbekistan] had enunciated a number of important international political initiatives aimed at establishing a Central Asia nuclear weapon free zone […]"

Vanuatu
H.E. Mr. Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas, Prime Minister
23 September 2016

Nuclear disarmament: "Vanuatu condemns all forms of nuclear proliferation and remains committed to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. We reaffirm our position in favour of a nuclear-free Pacific."

Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
H.E. Ms. Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2016 

Military spending: "In 2015, global military spending was at 1.7 trillion dollars and of this amount, the United States alone was responsible for a third to finance its wars. A total of 600 billion dollars, it is almost impossible to imagine this figure for a country. The United States has almost 800 military bases around the world with maintenance costs close to 100 billion dollars a year."

Arms trade: "This is due in part to the commodification of war, arms trafficking, and the greed that appropriates the natural resources of other countries. These are the dynamics of profit, where gaining wealth means selling weapons, alleged "security" […]"

Chemical weapons: "The Syrian people are the main victims of the violence of terrorist groups, violence which includes war crimes in the use of chemical weapons."

Viet Nam
H.E. Mr. Pham Bình Minh, Deputy Prime Minister
24 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Yemen
H.E. Mr. Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi Mansour, President
23 September 2016

Armed violence, civilian impact: "At a time when all were extending their hands for peace and national partnership, they [Houthis] were firing bullets against all, laying siege to cities, killing innocents in order to maintain their selfish interests by controlling power and wealth and absolute control over national interests and plundering its resources." 

"We called on [Yemenis] to demonstrate their loyalty to their homeland more than once, and to disengage themselves from a state that lent nothing to Yemen except destruction, explosives and war fuel."

Armed violence, weapons: "The peace that we aspire to cannot accept the control by the militias and sectarian gangs on the assets of the state, and the heavy and medium weapons as well as missiles that assault the security and stability of Yemen, the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf region."

Disarmament, armed violence: "No peaceful solutions can compromise on the ending of the coup d'état and all its consequences. We should first and foremost ensure the withdrawal of armed militias, including the surrender of weapons and the control of agences, and then complete the political process by endorsement of the new draft constitution before moving to comprehensive elections."

Weapons stockpiling: "The security vacuum caused by the war, and the economic collapse brought about by the black market policies and the impoverishment of the state and the plundering of resources – policies which have been pursued from the beginning by the coup d’état forces – has created a state of extreme poverty exploited by terrorist groups to enlist people and recruit children and the stockpiling of weapons and control of cities. Unless there are effective measures to address and remove these causes, Yemen and the entire region will continue to suffer."

Illicit arms trade: "The situation of destructive war imposed on our people as a result of the plundering of the state assets and the manipulation of the central bank assets and the erosion of foreign currency reserves and the absence of the use of local currency, have opened the door by the militias to war trade, black markets, and smuggling, which all bring Yemen to the brink of a very dangerous situation."

Zambia
H.E. Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President
20 September 2016

No relevant references. 

Zimbabwe
H.E. Mr. Robert Mugabe, President
21 September 2016

No relevant references.