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UNGA Disarmament Index 2019: H-R

This is an index of all references made to issues of disarmament and arms control made during the 74th General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly from 24 September - 30 October 2019. 

A-G | H-R | S-Z

Haiti | Holy See | Honduras | Hungary
Iceland | India | Indonesia | Iran | Iraq | Ireland | Israel | Italy 
Jamaica | Japan | Jordan
Kazakhstan | Kenya | Kiribati | Kuwait | Kyrgyz Republic
Lao PDR | Latvia | Lebanon | Lesotho | Liberia | Libya | Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg 
Macedonia | Madagascar | Malawi | Malaysia | Maldives | Mali | Malta | Marshall Islands | Mauritania | Mauritius | Mexico | Micronesia | MoldovaMonaco | Mongolia | Montenegro | Morocco | Mozambique | Myanmar
Namibia | Nauru | Nepal | Netherlands | New Zealand | Nicaragua | Niger  | Nigeria | Norway | North Macedonia
Oman
Pakistan | Palau | Palestine | Panama | Papua New Guinea | Paraguay | Peru | Philippines | Poland | Portugal
Qatar
Republic of Korea | Romania | Russian Federation | Rwanda

 

Haiti
H.E. Bocchit Edmond, Minister of Foreign Affairs 

28 September 2019 

No relevant references.

Honduras
H.E Juan Orlando Hernández Alvarado, President
25 September 2019

Statement not yet available.

Holy See
H.E. Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State

28 September 2019 

Arms control/Military spending/Proliferation/Cyber/Outer space: “The proliferation of weapons is particularly alarming as it spurs and exacerbates violence, conflict and war. The Secretary-General’s Report documents that armed groups are multiplying, worldwide military spending and arms competition are increasing, and the threat of the weaponization of artificial intelligence, cyberspace and outer space is growing.” 

Arms trafficking: In some places, young people sadly are more adept with guns and rounds of ammunition than they are with pens and schoolbooks. Without greater international and regional cooperation, and awareness of the dangers and responsibilities related to the production and movement of arms, especially among weapon-producing States, the cycle of death, destruction and disruption will simply continue. In order to tackle the problem of illicit arms trafficking, it is necessary to work to promote, especially through education, a real culture of life and peace that may respond effectively to the causes that are at the basis of the demand of such weapons.

TPNW/CTBT/NPT: "Greater multilateral cooperation is likewise needed to create the conditions and take steps necessary for the elimination of nuclear weapons. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) are both important steps toward a nuclear weapons-free world. They are the fruit of the efforts of many States and other stakeholders to promote greater awareness and understanding of the humanitarian consequences and environmental disasters that would result from the use of nuclear weapons and are complements, not distractions, to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which will have its tenth Review Conference next year."

Nuclear disarmament: "Trust has been seriously eroded by both the recent lack of progress in nuclear disarmament and by the decision of some States to develop new nuclear weapons capabilities or “modernize” and “upgrade” existing ones. This deterioration of trust not only imperils the achievement of true and lasting peace among nations, but also undermines the foundations for multilateralism in general. It is for this reason that the Secretary-General has said that “disarmament and non-proliferation [must] be put at the center of the work of the United Nations.”

Hungary 
H.E. Peter Szijjarto, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
26 September 2019

Statement not yet available.

Iceland
H.E. Gudlauger Thor Thordarsson, Minister of Foreign Affairs

27 September 2019

Non-proliferation/cyber/arms control: “These, and unfortunately other protracted conflicts, amid the growing distrust between major powers, calls for a greater commitment, creative thinking and more resources, both to the traditional arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation agenda, but also emerging technologies, cyber security, and hybrid threats.”

India
H.E Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

27 September 2019

No relevant references.

Italy
H.E. Giuseppe Conte, President of the Council of Ministers 
24 September, 2019 

Statement not yet available.

Indonesia
H.E Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, Vice-President

27 September 2019

No relevant references.

Iran
H.E Hassan Rouhani, President

25 September 2019

JCPOA: “The attitude of the incumbent US government towards the nuclear deal or the JCPOA not only violates the provisions of the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, but also constitutes a breach of the sovereignty and political and economic independence of all the world countries.

In spite of the American withdrawal from the JCPOA, and for one year, the Iranian remained fully faithful to all its nuclear commitments in accordance with the JCPOA. Out of respect for the Security Council resolution, we provided Europe with the opportunity to fulfill its 11 commitments made to compensate the US withdrawal. However, unfortunately, we only heard beautiful words made to compensate the US withdrawal. It has now become clear for all that the United States turns back to its commitments and Europe is unable and incapable of fulfilling its commitments. We even adopted a step-by-step approach in implementing paragraphs 26 and 36 of the JCPOA. And we remain committed to our premises in the deal. However, our patience has a limit; when the US does not respect the United Nations Security Council, and when Europe displays inability, the only way shall be to rely on national dignity, pride and strength. They call us to negotiation while they run away from treaties and deals. We negotiated with the incumbent US government on the 5+1 negotiating table; however, they failed to honor the commitment made by their predecessor.

On behalf of my nation and state, I would like to announce that our response to any negotiation under sanctions is negative. The government and people of Iran have remained steadfast against the harshest sanctions in the past one and a half years ago and will never negotiate with an enemy that seeks to make Iran surrender with the weapon of poverty, pressure and sanction.

If you require a positive answer, and as declared by the leader of the Islamic Revolution, the only way for talks to begin is return to commitments and compliance.

If you are sensitive to the name of the JCPOA, well, then you can return to its framework and abide by the UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Stop the sanctions so as to open the way for the start of negotiations. (...)

If you stand on your word that you only have one demand for Iran i.e. non-production and non-utilisation of nuclear weapons, then it could be easily attained in view of the IAEA supervision and more importantly, with the fatwa of the Iranian leader. Instead of show of negotiation, you shall return to the reality of negotiation. (...)"

Iraq
H.E Barham Salih, President

25 September 2019

No translation available.

Ireland
H.E. Michael Higgins, President 
25 September 2019 

Cyber: “While technologies have made the world more connected, we also witness the ways they can be misused to spread xenophobia or hateful rhetoric. It is also essential that the fruits of new science and technology are turned to the promotion and preservation of peace, and not to a renewed pursuit and prosecution of war. This calls for an effective global level institutional initiative, effective and accountable in a multilateral way.”

NPT: “The coming General Assembly session will see some key moments for disarmament. We will mark the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and its tenth review conference. I am proud of Ireland’s role in developing the Treaty, and I reiterate our commitment to a successful Review Conference in 2020."  

TPNW: “I hope that this conference sets a level of ambition for the total elimination of nuclear weapons, the only guarantee of our safety. It is for this reason that Ireland is also a strong supporter of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. One of the greatest challenges facing today’s global policymakers is how to anticipate and deal with complex risks, such as those associated with new weapon technologies.” 

Military spending:  "It is, for me, difficult to reconcile the rhetoric for peace I hear from countries who accompany it with ever-increasing efforts at acquiring increased shares in global armament sales."

EWIPA: “Ireland is deeply concerned about the devastating impact of conflict on civilians. The protection of civilians and full compliance with international humanitarian law face new and greater challenges as warfare increasingly moves from open battlefields to urban settings. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas is a particular cause for concern.”

Israel
H.E. Israel Katz, Minister of Foreign Affairs
26 September 2019 

Iran/Missiles: “We recently saw a serious escalation in which Iranian missiles were launched from Iran against “Saudi oil facilities” in order to destabilize world oil supplies...The world cannot allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. The world cannot allow Iran to develop ballistic missiles, and the world must stop Iran from supporting terror organizations in the region.”

Jamaica
H.E Andrew Holness, Prime Minister

27 September 2019

Arms trade/SALW: “Despite the strong programmes that are in place to get guns off the street, and our investments in improved border systems, we DO NOT by ourselves have the capacity to stem the flow.

The malignant link between organized crime, the illegal drug trade and the illicit proliferation and trafficking of small arms require transnational, regional and multilateral action. We therefore not only rely on the support of neighbouring countries, but we look to the UN to continue to play a pivotal role in supporting peace and security at all levels including with respect to the proliferation of conventional weapons.”

DPRK: “We also support the efforts towards rapprochement on the Korean Peninusla and discourage any action that would reverse these efforts.”

Disarmament: “We are equally concerned about the disarmament and proliferation landscape, particularly the gradual dismantling of longstanding disarmament treaties and the implications for international peace and security.”

Japan
H.E. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister 
24 September 2019 

DPRK: “Japan’s unchanging objective is to normalize relations with North Korea through comprehensively resolving the outstanding issues of concern with North Korea including the abductions, nuclear, and missile issues, as well as settling the unfortunate past.”

Nuclear weapons/JCPOA: “I consider precious the pronouncement made to me directly from Supreme Leader Khamenei of Iran, that he issued as a fatwa three repudiations regarding nuclear weapons namely “not to possess, produce, or use them.”

Jordan
H. M. King Abdullah II

24 September 2019

No relevant references.

Kazakhstan 
H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President 

24 September 2019 

Arms race: “We all suffer from a lack of trust among global and regional actors. It leads to an erosion of the current security and arms control architecture resulting in a renewed arms race. These are aggravated by restrictive sanctions, trade wars, an intense rivalry in space, cyber technology, and artificial intelligence. All of the above represent alarming facets of the deepening fundamental crisis. 

Nuclear weapons: “Achieving a nuclear-weapons-free world remains a top priority for my country. This aspiration has become an essential part of the nation-wide identity of the Kazakh people, giving us the moral right to be at the forefront of global movement to eliminate nuclear weapons. We stem from the firm conviction that nuclear weapons are no longer an asset, but a danger to global peace and security. (…)

Unfortunately, some countries still rely in their strategic defence calculations on nuclear arsenals, prompting their rivals to consider acquiring asymmetric responses, but equally deadly types of Weapons of Mass Destruction. (…)

Kazakhstan closed down the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and voluntarily renounced the fourth largest nuclear arsenal in the world…These acts were the first step in our long and successful journey towards global championship in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. (…)

I would mention the establishment of the unique nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia, hosting the IAEA Low Enriched Uranium Bank, adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolution on the International Day against Nuclear tests and the recent ratification of the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. We all should stand resolutely for the Universal Declaration on the Achievement of a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World as our roadmap to a safer future. We also aim for enhanced cooperation among nuclear weapons free zones and creation of new ones.” 

JCPOA/DPRK: “Kazakhstan believes that the current issues on Iran’s Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and denuclearization of the Korean peninsula should be settled only by political means, with due respect to each other’s interests and concerns.” 

Kenya
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President 

25 September 2019

No relevant references. 

Kiribati
H.E. Taneti Maamau, President
25 September 2019

Statement not yet available.

Kuwait
H.H. Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- Sabah, Prime Minister

25 September 2019 

No relevant references.

Kyrgyzstan
Chingiz Aiderbekov, H.E Minister of Foreign Affairs
28 September

No translation available.

Lao PDR
H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister of Foreign Affairs 
28 September 2019 

TPNW: “The Lao PDR also continues to support the effort of international community to achieve disarmament and non-proliferation. Therefore, the Lao PDR has ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapon. Furthermore, we welcome the Commemoration of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons held on 26th September.” 

Latvia 
H.E. Egils Levits, President 
24 September 2019 

Cyber: “Nowadays, violations of international law are committed not only through direct military force, but increasingly through disinformation, cyber attacks, economic influence, energy pressures and interference in election processes. (...)

Latvia is ready to participate actively in discussions and share its experience in promoting responsible behavior in cyber space and boosting institutional and individual resilience to malicious intent. (...)

Certainly, digital technologies have brought progress for humanity. However, we must be careful to prevent malicious use of these technologies…These technologies need to be developed with greater responsibility and accountability. (...)

The UN must actively promote discussion of personal data protection in cyberspace, especially the ethical and legal standards for the use of personal data.”

Lebanon
H.E Michel Aoun, President

25 September 2019

Incendiary weapons/EWIPA: “The Israeli violations of Resolution 1701 have never ceased, and neither have the exaggerated aggressions against the Lebanese sovereignty, by land, sea and air. The blatant hostile act carried out last month against a residential area in the heart of Beirut is the most serious infringement of this resolution. Moreover, the fires that lasted for days in the occupied Shebaa farms as a result of the incendiary Israeli shells, represent an international environmental crime that requires a condemnation of those who caused them.”

Lesotho
H.E Thomas Motsoahae Thabane, Prime Minister

27 September 2019

Nuclear weapons: “As the Security Council remains paralysed to act in critical situations, the threat of the use of nuclear weapons continues to haunt us.”

DPRK: “In the Korean Peninsula, the security situation does not give us comfort. Launching of different types of missiles, in total disregard of the UN Security Council Resolutions puts an unnecessary strain on the relations between states and, indeed flies in the face of our Charter obligations.” 

WMD: “I appeal to all Member States to join hands in ensuring a safer planet free of weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons.”

Liberia
H.E George Manneh Weah, President

25 September 2019

Armed conflict: “We are all aware of the terrible destruction of lives and properties caused by civil war.

However, long after the guns have been silenced, the survivors have to live with the collateral damage of the war-wounded, the shattered families, the displaced populations, the resettlement of refugees, and all the other negative consequences of a national socio-economic fabric that has been torn apart.”

Libya
H.E. Faiez Mustafa Serraj, President of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord
25 September 2019

Statement not yet available.

Liechtenstein 
H.H. Alois von und zu, Head of State 

24 September 2019 

Armed conflict/ Nuclear weapons/Cyber: “But today more so than in a long time, armed conflict of unforeseeable consequences is a real danger. The existence of nuclear weapons and the options presented through cyber warfare illustrate the incredible level of risk and the potential devastating impact of armed conflict today. Armed conflict is illegal, except when the use of force is authorized by the Security Council or if carried out in self-defence. The most serious forms of the illegal use of force are also a criminal offense now, both in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and in many domestic legal systems. These are new legal norms that we need more than ever and that also apply to new methods of warfare.” 

Lithuania
H.E. Gitanas Nausėda, President 

25 September 2019

No relevant references.

Luxembourg
H.E Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister

26 September 2019

JCPOA: “For its part, Luxembourg, as the whole of the European Union and the vast majority of the international community, wants to believe that it is possible, even to widen the scope, to make the 2015 agreement work. That’s why the United States and Iran have to renew the threads of dialogue.”

Madagascar
H.E. Christian Ntsay, Prime Minister 

28 September 2019 

No relevant references.

Malaysia
H.E. Mahathir bin Mohamad, Prime Minister

27 September 2019

Militarism/Arms race/Military spending: “That power has resulted in an arms race. Each one of the five rely on their military might in order to challenge any attempt to take their power away. They feel they must be well armed to retain their right to be the privileged five.

It is this structure of the United Nations that renders it incapable of achieving its principle objectives- that of preventing wars between nations. Indeed, the structure had enable the promotion of war within countries and between countries.

True, the war-like European countries have not gone to war with each other over the past two-thirds of a century. But elsewhere there is evidence that European countries have caused wars to break out, arms and funds to be supplied and active participation in prolonging the wars. It is apparently good for business, for weapons sale.”

Militarism: “In keeping with the objectives of the United Nations, Malaysia had launched a campaign to criminalise war. It is ridiculous to hang a murderer for killing one person but to glorify the people who are responsible for the deaths of millions of people. Modern wars are total in every way. Not only will combatants be killed but innocent people, the children, the sick and incapacitated are also killed and wounded. Whole countries are devastated, and trillions of dollars lost. In the end, both the victors and losers suffer.

“We consider ourselves civilised but we are still very primitive since we accept killing people as a way to settle disputes between nations or within nations.

There are other ways of settling disputes. We can negotiate or submit to arbitration by third parties. Or we can resort to the courts of law - the World Court, the International Court of Justice, for example.

Malaysia does not just talk. We do. We settle disputes with our neighbours through negotiation and through the World Court. We won some and we lost some. But no one has been killed.

This talk about “not one inch of my territory” is ridiculous. We know that if we go to war, that inch is going to cost us more than what it is worth.

When one goes to court one does not always get what one claims to be rightfully ours. but it is the same with war. We do not always win. In a contest between two parties, one must lose if the other is to win. But if we use peaceful means we can still lose but it will cost us much less. No one would die, nor land devastated.”

Mali
H.E. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, President 
25 September 2019 

DDR: “One of the major achievements of the Agreement is the absence of belligerence between the Mali Defense and Security Forces and the signatory movements, as well as the gradual return of trust between the Malian parties. This is complemented by the reintegration of more than 500 veterans into the Malian Defense and Security Forces and the enrollment of nearly 2,000 ex-combatants, members of the Operational Coordination Mechanism (OCM), as part of the Accelerated Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR).”

Arms trafficking: “This is the place to point out that the motivations of these terrorist groups have little to do with religion and even less with development. The challenge for them is to create spaces for their criminal activities to flourish, including the trafficking of weapons, human beings or illegal goods, taking advantage of the low population of the Etas, particularly services defense and security, in the regions concerned.”

Malawi
H.E. Arthur Peter Mutharika, President

26 September 2019 

No relevant references.

Maldives
H.E. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President

24 September 2019

No relevant references.

Malta
H.E. Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister

26 September 2019

No relevant references.

Mauritania
H.E Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President

25 September 2019

No translation available.

Mauritius
H.E Paramasivum Pillay Vyapoory, President

27 September 2019

Outer space/ cyber/ arms: “Escalation of tensions on economic and trade issues, withdrawal from international treaties, increased weaponization of outer and cyber space, as well as the proliferation of arms, have further accentuated the risks to global security.”

Marshall Islands
Hon. Mr. John Silk, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade

28 September 2019 

Nuclear weapons: “As a UN Trusteeship, we approached the United Nations twice - in 1954 and 1956 - to stop the testing of nuclear weapons on our shores. And twice the United Nations disregarded our petitions in place of resolutions authorizing nuclear detonations, twice our voices were unheard, and twice larger political concerns overruled the protection of our human rights.”

Nuclear testing: “We are still facing challenges from the impacts of nuclear weapons testing, and our experience should be a global lesson of the humanitarian consequences of nuclear detonation. We are left with a devastating footprint on our health, well-being, environment, and rights of our population. This is contamination which we did not cause, and for which we lack the capacity to fully understand, let alone address. The recent establishment of a national nuclear commission and its progress towards a work plan is a historic step forward.”

Mexico
H.E. Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, Minister for Foreign Affairs
28 September

Statement not yet available.

Micronesia
H.E. David Panuelo, President and Head of Government

26 September 2019

No relevant references.

Moldova
H.E. Igor Dodon, President

26 September 2019

Ammunition: “I believe the key to our success is the promotion of the concept of the international recognition of the military neutrality of the Republic of Moldova along with the completion of removal and disposal of ammunition left in the territory of the Republic of Moldova since the Soviet era, with full and final completion of the withdrawal of foreign troops from the state, which I have the honour to represent at this high tribune.”

Monaco
H.S.H. Prince Albert II 
24 September 2019 

No relevant references.

Mongolia
H.E. Tsogtbaatar Damdin, MP for Minister of Foreign Affairs

28 September 2019 

Cyber: “Aggression and anger triggers counter-aggression and angry response. In addition to that, we have an unprecedented exposure to the risk of the anger and frustration of few to multiply and explode into the mass irritation due to the interconnectedness through the social media. The later unchartered before and unique territory should always be kept in mind now. We are yet to fully understand the social change that the IT era is offering.”

Nuclear weapons: “On top of all the above-mentioned under-known realities, we should not forget that we have piles of nuclear weapons that can put all the differences to an end at once and for good along with all the virtues the life offers. Indeed, after living for 30 with odds years in the world without an enemy in a full nuclear sense, we are used to taking global peace for granted. Hence, we often control little our rhetoric as to its potential to aggravate animosity.”

Montenegro
H.E. Milo Đukanović, President 

26 September 2019 

INF: “Abandoning the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty brought us to the situation where we have to face the security issue that requires establishment of a strategic dialogue. The world without INF calls for taking responsibility, and not for avoiding it.

JCPOA/Iran: “And the uncertainty regarding the preservation and full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for the Iranian nuclear programme raises additional serious concerns.”

Disarmament Agenda: “We will continue providing strong support to global efforts to control arms, disarmament and non-proliferation, primarily to the Secretary General’s Disarmament Agenda.”

Morocco
H.E.  Saad-Eddine El Othmani, Head of Government 

24 September 2019 

No translation available.

Mozambique
H.E. José Condugua António Pacheco, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation

28 September 2019 

WMD/SALW: “The prevalence of actions linked to fundamentalism and violent extremism,  as well arms proliferation and trading, particularly of weapons of mass destruction and small arms and light weapons, that threaten national, regional, and global peace and security, are causes of added concern for our country.”

Disarmament: “In this regard, and under the framework of our peace policy, we support· all global initiatives and partnerships, including actions focusing on dialogue through international disarmament mechanisms, and combating fundamentalism and related activities, violent extremism, and all forms of terrorist acts.” 

Myanmar
H.E. U Kyaw Tint Swe, Union Minister for the Office of State Counsellor 

28 September 2019 

No relevant references.

Namibia
H.E. Hage Geingob, President 

25 September 2019 

No relevant references.  

Nauru
H.E. Lionel Rouwen Aingimea

26 September 2019

No relevant references.

Netherlands
H.M. King Willem-Alexander 

24 September 2019 

No relevant references.

Nepal
Hon. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Minister of Foreign Affairs

27 September 2019

Arms race: “Arms race coupled with growing distrust among major players appears symptomatic to a new form of division with regard to critical issues of peace and security.”

INF/JCPOA/NWFZ: “We are concerned with the collapse of INF treaty, pull out of an important party from the Iran Nuclear deal, and stalemate in the Conference on Disarmament. Such trends should not encourage the penchant for nuclear armaments. Nepal is in support of effective and verifiable nuclear weapons free zones.”

TPNW: “As a signatory to the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, we expect to complete internal legal process for its ratification soon.” 

Outer space: “We reiterate that the outer space must be kept free of arms race for the greater benefit of humanity.”

Disarmament: “As the host country to the UN Regional Center for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, Nepal calls for strengthening of the regional approaches to disarmament including the ‘Kathmandu Process’ to complement the global initiatives.”

DPRK: “Nepal welcomes the dialogues between the United Sates and DPRK and between the two Koreas. We hope the initiatives will lead to lasting peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.”

New Zealand
H.E. Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister

24 September 2019 

Cyber: “The alleged terrorist used social media as a weapon. The attack demonstrated how the internet, a global commons with extraordinary power to do good, can be perverted and used as a tool for terrorists.”

Nicaragua
H.E Denis Moncada Colindres, Minister of Foreign Affairs 
28 September 2019 

No relevant references.

Niger
H.E. Mahamadou Issoufou, President 

24 September, 2019 

No relevant references.

Nigeria
H.E Muhammadu Buhari, President
24 September 2019

Statement not yet available.

Norway
H.E Erna Solberg, Prime Minister
27 September 2019

Statement not yet available.

North Macedonia
H.E. Zoran Zaev, President of the Government

26 September 2019

WMD/Arms trade: “North Macedonia continues to support all actions aimed at countering proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and illegal arms trade, as well as to support disarmament efforts in all aspects.”

Oman
H.E. Yusif bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister for Foreign Affairs 

28 September 2019 

No relevant references.

Pakistan
H.E Imran Khan, Prime Minister
27 September 2019

Statement not yet available.

Palau
H.E Tommy Esang Remengesau, Jr., President

25 September 2019

DPRK/WMD: “We view with concern North Korea’s recent ballistic missile launches that violate UN Security Council resolutions, which threatens peace and stability in our region, and around the world. Weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges must be dismantled, and the cooperation of all states is essential to fully implement relevant Security Council resolutions.”

Palestine
H.E Mahmoud Abbas, President

26 September 2019

No relevant references.

Panama
H.E. Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, President 
25 September 2019 

Statement not yet available.

Papua New Guinea
H.E. James Marape, Prime Minister

27 September 2019 

No relevant references.

Paraguay
H.E. Anotnio Rivero Palacios, Minister of Foreign Affairs

27 September 2019 

Non-proliferation/disarmament: “The Republic of Paraguay reaffirms its commitment to non-proliferation and disarmament, with the waiver of war and with the use of peaceful means to resolve conflicts.”

Peru
H.E. Martín Vizcarra Cornejo, President 

24 September 2019 

No relevant references.

Philippines
H.E. Teodoro Locsin, Secretary for Foreign Affairs
28 September 2019

Statement not yet available.

Poland
H.E. Andrzej Duda

24 September 2019 

No relevant references. 

Portugal
H.E. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President 

24 September 2019

Cyber: “This autumn of 2019 we are facing global and regional signs pointing in opposite directions (...) the arms race with new actors, with or without a stable territorial base, the resort to cyber presence as a common or almost common means of external intervention…”

Qatar
H. H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir

24 September 2019

Cyber: “Although the use of communication technology is of utmost importance in our modern world in various security, economic, commercial and other fields, the misuse of this technology is threatening the security of states and cordial relations among them, as well as infringing on the private sphere of individuals and causing economic damage. As you know, Qatar News Agency was subject to digital privacy and espionage.”

Republic of Korea
H.E. Moon Jae-in, President

24 September 2019

DPRK: “Decisions made by President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un provided the momentum behind the dramatic change in the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Compared to the past in which it took only a few rounds of gunfire to instigate major political unrest, the Korean Peninsula has undergone a distinct change. The negotiating table for peace on the Peninsula still remains accessible. The two Koreas and the United States are setting their sights not only on denuclearization and peace, but also on the economic cooperation that will follow thereafter. (...)

Peace on the Korean Peninsula remains an ongoing challenge, and peace on the Peninsula and in the whole world are inextricably linked to each other. The Republic of Korea will continue dialogue with North Korea and will find and make a way toward complete denuclearization and permanent peace while maintaining cooperation with UN member states.

Over the past year and a half, dialogue and negotiations have produced significant results on the Korean Peninsula. Panmunjeom, which used to be a symbol of division, has now become a demilitarized area in which not even a single pistol exists. The two Koreas withdrew guard posts inside the Demilitarized Zone, thereby transforming the DMZ, the very symbol of confrontation, into a peace zone worthy of its name. In the past, unceasing breaches of the Armistice Agreement had raised military tensions and at times escalated the threat of war, but not a single confrontation has occurred since the inter-Korean comprehensive military agreement was signed on September 19 last year. (...)

These efforts have also made it possible for President Trump to become the first sitting American president to cross the Military Demarcation Line and set foot on North Korean soil. The easing of military tensions and solid trust among the leaders of both Koreas and the United States set the stage for a momentous trilateral meeting at Panmunjeom. (...)

The principles that I have firmly held on to in the course of resolving issues related to the Korean Peninsula remain unchanged.

(....)

The second principle is a mutual security guarantee. South Korea will guarantee the security of North Korea. I hope North Korea will do the same for South Korea. When the security of both sides is assured, it will become possible to accelerate denuclearization and the establishment of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula. At the very least, all hostile acts must be put on hold while the dialogue is ongoing. I hope that the international community will also work together to alleviate the security concerns on the Korean Peninsula.”

Landmines: “Approximately 380,000 anti-personnel mines are laid in the DMZ, and it is expected to take 15 years for South Korean troops to remove them on their own. However, cooperation with the international community, including the United Nations Mine Action Service, will not only guarantee the transparency and stability of demining operations, but also instantly turn the DMZ into an area of international cooperation.”

Romania
H.E Klaus Werner Iohannis, President

25 September 2019

No relevant references.

Rwanda
H.E. Paul Kagame, President 

24 September 2019 

No relevant references.

Russia
H.E Sergey V- Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2019

INF/ABM: “Actions taken by the United States, which, following its withdrawal from the ABM Treaty, destroyed the INF treaty with the overwhelming support of NATO members, caused a huge damage to the global system of strategic stability which had been established for decades.” 

“President Vladimir Putin announced the decision not to deploy land-based intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles in Europe or other regions if and as long as the Americans refrain from doing it.” 

New START: “We have also repeatedly suggested Washington that we start negotiations on prolonging the New START Treaty.”  

CTBT/Nuclear weapons: “Now the United States is questioning the future of the New START treaty, refusing to ratify the CTBT. Moreover, it has lowered the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons in its doctrinal documents.” 

Cyberspace/Outer space: “The United States is setting course for transforming cyberspace and outer space into an arena for military conflict.” 

Outer Space: Together with China we support the harmonization of a legally binding document on the prevention of an arms race in outer space.” 

Nuclear weapons: “We are alarmed by the protracted lack of answer to our proposal made to American colleagues a year ago - to adopt a High Level Russian-American statement on unacceptability and inadmissibility of the nuclear war which by definition cannot have a winner.” 

NPT: “We are introducing a draft resolution on Strengthening and Developing the System of Arms Control, Disarmament, and Non-Proliferation agreements...The adoption of the Resolution would greatly contribute to the creation for a successful hosting of another NPT Review Conference next year.”