UNGA Disarmament Index 2021: S-Z

This is an index of all references made to issues of disarmament and arms control made during the 76th General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly from 21–27 September 2021.

A-G | H-R | S-Z

Saint Kitts and Nevis
Timothy Harris, Prime Minister
24 September 2021

Small arms and light weapons: “The protection of life from violent crime is also of fundamental importance and discussions surrounding Small Arms and Light Weapons remain critical to our democracy. Our position remains that the uncontrolled proliferation of the illicit trade of Small Arms and Light Weapons has significant impacts on the health and well-being, socio-economic development, human rights and human development of every citizen in the world. The new challenges faced as a result of technological developments must also be taken into consideration and confronted. We will also continue to lend our voice and support to the work of the United Nations with a view to bringing about an end to the misery caused by these weapons.”

Saint Lucia
Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister
25 September 2021

No relevant references.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister, Minister for Finance, the Public Service, National Security, Legal Affairs and Grenadines Affairs
25 September 2021

Militarism: “The metaphoric lions and lionesses, globally, ought to converse with each other meaningfully, rather than hanker for perpetual disorder, insecurity, and war; they do not actually need to lay down with each other in joyous embrace; they ought simply to resolve their differences, whether ancient or modern; and compromise, where necessary and desirable, in the interest of all. But for the sake of humanity, let us drop the vaunted self-interests, the vanities, and divisiveness — real or imagined, and work together, for the better.”

Cyber peace and security: “Mr. President, not only have the ways of the old order, pre-COVID, tended, still, to guide powerful countries in their actions; so, too, the behemoths in global communications. These entities, enveloped in mega profits and profiteering, own and control the various internet platforms, with little or no public regulation, and have ignored or abandoned any real sense of responsibility for the anti-vax misinformation and disinformation which occupy cyberspace. As a consequence, real people die in their multitudes across the world. Surely, this irresponsibility must stop!”

Militarism, armed conflict: “By now, Mr. President, the folly of invading and seeking to remake countries in an invader’s image and likeness is plain for all to see in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. The human and economic costs are staggering.”

Samoa
Fiame Naomi Mataafa, Prime Minister
25 September 2021

Cyber peace and security: “The increasing use of Information Communications Technology (ICT) has raised issues of security and privacy. The exploitation of computers and telecommunications technology for criminal activities has increased. Incidents of hacking, virus attacks, access and discrimination and misuse of informaion and network security can no longer be ignored. We look forward to actively engaging in discussions of the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes.”

San Marino
Luca Beccari, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2021

Armed conflict, cyber peace and security: “The peace and security international context became increasingly fragmented. The nature of conflicts is evolving due to the growing interconnections between scarce natural resources, climate change, socioeconomic vulnerabilities, disinformation and cyber-attacks.”

Armed conflict: “Despite our efforts, in many areas of the world vulnerable populations are still facing the threat of mass atrocities. The Government of the Republic of San Marino is deeply concerned for the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Syria, Yemen, Palestine and elsewhere. The situation in Afghanistan is of particular concern.”

Weapons of mass destruction: “The Government of the Republic of San Marino is worried about a deteriorating international security environment and for the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In its long history, my Country has always stood for a world free of weapons of mass destruction. “

Nuclear weapons: “We are particularly concerned about the rising nuclear risks. The catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons constitute an existential threat to humanity and for this reason, the Republic of San Marino is a strong supporter of the new Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.”

São Tomé and Príncipe
Edite Ramos da Costa Ten Jua, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2021

Armed conflict: “[poverty] is also the cause of armed conflicts, the displacement of population, the saturation of numerous urban centers and the migratory fluxes from the south to the north.”

Armed conflict: “We also bring to this session our wish that our Organisation create more binding mechanisms that ensure solidarity for the victims of war and terrorism, on the one hand; and demonstrate the political art of well-doing that generates sustainable solutions to old and new conflicts, namely the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Syrian conflict, the Libyan conflict, the deployments of terrorist groups in the Sahel, and the actions of the terrorist groups El Chebab in East Africa and BOKO HARAM in Central and West Africa.”

Small arms and light weapons, armed conflict: “The situation of persistent political and military instability in many African countries, calls for concerted efforts by all of us to silence the guns, thus allowing for a negotiated solution through a permanent dialogue, in order to put a definitive end to the suffering of the respective peoples.”

Saudi Arabia
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King
22 September 2021

Armed conflict, militarism: "The peace initiative in Yemen tabled by the Kingdom last March ought to end the bloodshed and conflict and ought to put an end to the suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people. Unfortunately, the terrorists and militias reject a peaceful solution, they have placed their bets on a military option to take over more territory in Yemen."

Missiles and drones: “The kingdom maintains its legitimate right to defend itself in confronting the missile attacks, ballistic missile attacks, drone attacks, booby-traps, boats against our kingdom. We categorically reject any attempt to interfere in our internal affairs.”

Weapons of mass destruction, nuclear weapons: “The Kingdom stresses the importance of making the Middle East a region free of weapons of mass destruction. We therefore support international efforts aimed at preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. We are very concerned at Iranian steps that go counter to its commitments as well as daily declarations from Iran that its nuclear program is peaceful.”

Senegal
Macky Sall, President
24 September 2021

Weapons: “This future requires us to lay down our arms, to show greater solidarity, to protect our environment, to cultivate our common values, to accept and respect our differences, and to renounce the civilisational injunction.”

Serbia
Ana Brnabić, Prime Minister
24 September 2021

No relevant references.

Seychelles
Wavel Ramkalawan, President
23 September 2021

Arms race: “The past two years have been a stark reminder that the global community has failed to adequately address some of the most pressing issues of our time: effective and equitable access to health-care, glaring inequalities, climate change and environmental degradation, the arms race, endless conflicts, the plight of refugees ... to name but a few.”

Sierra Leone
Julius Maada Bio, President
22 September 2021

Cyber peace and security: "We will continue to work closely with our partners on cybersecurity, digital public goods, and to curb irregular migration of persons. We have complemented international action with local initiatives and cooperation models."

Ceasefire: "We reiterate the nexus between peace and development and reaffirm our joint call for global ceasefires and the pursuit of peace through national dialogue and reconciliation."

Singapore
Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs
25 September 2021

No relevant references.

Slovakia
Zuzana Čaputová, President
21 September 2021

No relevant references.

Slovenia
Borut Pahor, President
24 September 2021

Cyber peace and security: “The dependence on digital space has revealed also our vulnerability to security threats and to cyberattacks. It has highlighted the extent of the damage caused by such attacks with regard to critical infrastructure, the economy, society or even loss of life.”

Solomon Islands
Manasseh Damukana Sogavare, Prime Minister
25 September 2021

No relevant references.

Somalia
Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo, President
21 September 2021

No relevant references.

South Africa
Cyril Ramaphosa, President
23 September 2021

No relevant references.

South Sudan
Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, Vice President
24 September 2021

Armed conflict: “I want to assure our friends and partners that we are determined to open a new page by committing ourselves never to go back to war. We pledge to pursue the promises our liberators made to our people. We must ensure peace, security, and dignity for all without distinction. We must replace the destruction of war with the productive use of our vast natural resources for the good of our people.”

Militarism: “There is an urgent need to form a unified professional army under one command and control. The security sector reform is the most challenging part of the Agreement as it contains elements at the center of the violent conflicts in the country.”

Spain
Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, President
22 September 2021

Militarism: “Spain is firmly committed to the search for international peace and security. We have deployed men and women, including both civilians and service people, in the United Nations missions in Lebanon, Mali, the Central African Republic, and Colombia. We are present with NATO in Iraq, the Baltic States, and in the Mediterranean. Moreover, we contribute more than 25% of the European Union’s military forces abroad, participating with particular intensity in the Sahel, a clear commitment to the development of a greater strategic autonomy of the European Union and to the strengthening of our Common Security and Defense Policy.”

Sri Lanka
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President, Head of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister for Defence, Minister for Technology
22 September 2021

No relevant references.

Sudan
Abdalla Adam Hamdok, Prime Minister
25 September 2021

Armed conflict, disarmament: "We are determined to continue to strive to improve the security situation in Darfur through the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, through the collection of arms, through the realization of justice, and ensuring accountability, namely through the implementation of the National Plan for the Protection of Civilians.”

Suriname
Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President
22 September 2021

No relevant references.

Sweden
Stefan Löfven, Prime Minister
24 September 2021

Armed conflict: “ Global hunger, driven by armed conflicts and climate change, is soaring.”

Armed conflict, ceasefire: “In Yemen, relentless fighting has worsened the humanitarian catastrophe. Sweden remains deeply engaged. We urge the parties to agree on a ceasefire and take part in political talks under UN auspices. The implementation of the Stockholm and Riyadh agreements remains a key step. Sweden is committed to leading international efforts to mobilise additional funding for the world’s largest humanitarian operation.”

Armed conflict, ceasefire: “In Ethiopia, the Tigray conflict’s expansion is causing immense human suffering. We urgently call on all parties to ensure full and sustained humanitarian access, agree to a ceasefire and work for a political solution.”

Nuclear weapons: “The nuclear threat is as present as ever. To reverse this negative trend, we welcome recent steps such as the extension of the New START Treaty, and the US and Russian joint statement reaffirming that ‘a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.’ The Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament aims to ensure that concrete steps towards nuclear disarmament are taken, not least in view of the upcoming Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Some progress has been made, but much more remains to be done. We call on all States, in particular nuclear weapon states, to do their part.”

Nuclear weapons, Korean Peninsula: “We call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to adhere to its international obligations and take steps towards denuclearisation.”

Switzerland
Guy Parmelin, President
21 September 2021

Armed conflict: “Power rivalries are worsening and armed conflicts are raging on almost every continent. International humanitarian law and human rights are violated on a daily basis, and this sows the seeds of future conflicts.”

Cyber peace and security: “Technological developments and digitalisation offer solutions to many of the challenges we collectively face. In Switzerland, there is close cooperation with universities and the private sector to find innovative technological approaches for development and poverty reduction projects. Yet there are risks involved. The virtual world is not a lawless zone. In the General Assembly, Switzerland works to promote responsible state behaviour and the application of international law in cyberspace. It also participates in efforts to combat cybercrime. Geneva plays a role as a global centre for digital policy and networking for the actors involved.”

Armed conflict: “Switzerland is also working hard to promote international law, including humanitarian law, in order to avoid conflicts or reduce their effects. Switzerland is proud to have prepared its report on the implementation of international humanitarian law. I call on all UN member states to do the same. Such reports enable states to assess their good practices and the challenges to be faced.”

Syrian Arab Republic
Fayssal Mekdad, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates
27 September 2021

Armed conflict: “You are well aware that Syria was one of the countries most affected by terrorism and terrorist crimes. These terrorists have received military, financial, media, and logistical support from countries known for sponsoring terrorism. Terrorists have killed and displaced innocent people, destroyed infrastructure, looted Syria’s resources, and created a humanitarian crisis in a country that had so much to be proud of, having achieved a development level 4 of more than 9.5% annually before the start of the terrorist war against Syria. I could speak endlessly about the suffering terrorists have inflicted on my people. Thanks to the sacrifices of our people and armed forces, and with the valuable support of our allies and friends, we have made significant advances in combating and eradicating terrorism.”

Armed conflict: “In addition, the Turkish regime has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in the territories of Syria it occupies. It has carried out ‘Turkification’ and policies of forced demographic change and has displaced and oppressed the people of the region that dare to resist it. “

Armed conflict: “President, We reiterate that any foreign presence on Syrian soil without the consent of the Syrian government is illegal and constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter, as well as all relevant Security Council resolutions, which reaffirm the importance of upholding Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity. Such a presence hinders counter-terrorism efforts and threatens regional stability and security. Turkish and US forces are occupying Syrian territories under false pretexts and are looting the natural resources belonging to the Syrian people. This must stop immediately without any preconditions. Just as we managed to wipe out terrorists from most of Syria, we will work to end the occupation with the same resolve and determination, using all possible means under international law. History shows that Syria always drives out occupiers sooner or later.

As for the few seeking secession in northeast Syria, we warn them against harboring such illusions that contradict the will of the Syrian people. By pursuing such ends, they are allying themselves with those plotting against Syria’s unity, and they will be dealt with accordingly. They must abandon their delusions and learn from recent lessons; favoring external and occupying forces over their own people is doomed to fail and will only bring them humiliation and will harm their country and people”

Chemical weapons: “The Syrian Arab Republic stresses once again that the use of chemical weapons is reprehensible and completely unacceptable under any circumstances, by anyone, anywhere and anytime. That is why Syria has 8 voluntarily acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention and fulfilled all relevant obligations in record time while maintaining cooperation with the OPCW to settle the matter as soon as possible. Unfortunately, some have sought to explicitly politicize this issue. They have made baseless accusations against Syria, relying on information from terrorists and their supporters. They have questioned Syria’s cooperation with the OPCW and have issued reports that lack credibility and professionalism. They have also misconstrued the provisions of the CWC to create illegal mechanisms and pushed through a decision imposed by western countries against Syria at the 25th session of the Conference of State Parties to the CWC. That decision constitutes a dangerous precedent for the organization and a threat to all state parties.”

Armed conflict: “Israel, since 1967, has continued to occupy a dear part of Syrian territory, the Golan. Therefore, The Syrian Arab Republic remains firmly committed to exercising its right to fully recover the occupied Syrian Golan, up to the line of 4th of June 1967. All decisions and measures taken by Israel, the occupying power, to alter the region’s natural and demographic features and impose Israeli laws and administration, are null and void and have no legal effect under international law and relevant UN resolutions, notably Security Council resolution 497 (1981). We can no longer accept the UN and the international community’s failure to compel Israel to implement these resolutions and to cease its systematic and grave violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. All the while, Israel continues to expand its settlements and support terrorists. It persecutes, discriminates against, and arbitrarily detains Syrians under its occupation, plunders the Golan’s natural resources, and repeatedly violates Syria’s sovereignty. Israel must be held 9 accountable for this rogue behavior and ensure its impunity.”

“Despite what we have been through over the past few years, the Palestinian cause still remains a central priority for Syria. Syria will spare no effort in supporting the Palestinian people in their struggle to recover their occupied territories and regain all their legitimate rights, especially the right to establish their independent state on their territory, with Jerusalem as its capital, the right to full membership to the United Nations, and the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homeland, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions. We call for putting an end to Israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially killings, settlement activities, siege tactics, arbitrary detention, forced displacement, and racial discrimination. Syria holds countries supporting Israel responsible for the implications of these crimes.”

Tajikistan
Emomali Rahmon, President
23 September 2021

Armed conflict: “In the initial years of our independence, our country was plunged into the tragic events of the imposed civil war, and went through difficult days. Ending the war, bringing the fighting parties together, ensuring peace and stability, and concurrently restoring diplomatic relations and constructive cooperation with the countries of the world were among our top priorities.”

Armed conflict: “During more than 40 years of war and instability, which the Afghan people are not to blame for, Afghanistan has become a geopolitical platform; and the world is well aware of the consequences of the horrible events of September 2001. The suffering Afghanistan and its friendly and brotherly nation should not be dragged into the abyss of imposed bloody wars again…. Hence, they have a long way to go, full of military and humanitarian problems, which have arisen due to the reckless decision to withdraw foreign troops from this country.”

Tanzania
Samia Suluhu Hassan, President
23 September 2021

No relevant references.

Thailand
General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister
25 September 2021

Nuclear weapons: “Thailand and other Core Group states consider the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapon (TPNW) on 22 January 2021 as an encouraging manifestation of the determination of the global community to comply with commitments under the UN Charter in promoting a world that is free from nuclear weapons for succeeding generations. Given this positive development despite current international tensions, the global community should take heart and seek to collectively deepen collaboration in various fields, such as on cyber issues and peaceful applications of nuclear technology. In this connection, Thailand further supports building complementarities between cooperation under the TPNW and the Treaty on the Non – Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).”

Timor-Leste
Francisco Guterres Lú Olo, President
27 September 2021

No relevant references.

Togo
Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe
22 September 2021

Ceasefire: “Global prosperity depends on peace and stability in regions affected by conflict. Togo therefore reiterates the joint call of the G7+ member states for a global ceasefire, everywhere on earth.”

Tonga
Pohiva Tu’l’onetoa, Prime Minister
25 September 2021

No relevant references.

Trinidad and Tobago
Dr. Amery Browne, Minister Of Foreign And CARICOM Affairs
27 September 2021

Small arms and light weapons: “We also recognize that the increasing incidence of violent crime domestically, bedevils our efforts toward achieving sustainable development and the maintenance of the rule of law. Much of this criminal activity derives from the operations of international criminal networks engaged in the illicit trafficking of small arms and increasingly sophisticated weaponry, illegal drugs, money laundering, human trafficking and piracy across our society.”

Arms trade: “Recognizing its value to us and to the members of CARICOM as a whole, Trinidad and Tobago played a highly constructive role in the process culminating in the adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty. We remain keenly engaged to ensure that the Treaty fully achieves its objectives.”

Cyber peace and security: “However, the misuse of digital technology can pose serious threats to the economy, national security, governance, and social stability. Therefore, we must develop appropriate mechanisms to protect and secure the integrity of our economies and societies and to minimize its use as a disruptive tool.”

Tunisia
Othman Jerandi, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2021

Armed conflict, Palestine: “Mr. President, the Palestinian cause remains a fundamental issue that Tunisia will continue to defend. We call upon the UN and all its organs and mechanisms to end the suffering of the Palestinian people. How are we expected to build hope at a time when the international community has failed for seven decades in ending the israeli occupation of Palestine despite the adoption of hundreds of international resolutions and tremendous regional and international efforts and initiatives? How can we ensure the respect of human rights around the world, Mr. President, when the rights of a people of one country in this world are being violated on a daily basis, especially their right to self-determination, their right to building an independent state on the lines of 1967with Al Qudz al Sharif as the capital? If we truly want the world to recover, it is unacceptable for the situation in Palestine to remain as it is today, because a true recovery is not only a recovery from a pandemic, but is also a recovery from tragedy and injustice.”

Armed conflict: “In the same vein, the continuing instability and human suffering in the Arab region should push the international community to shoulder its huge responsibility and double its efforts to move forward towards compromise in conflict areas, including Syria and Yemen. Our world will not recover if help is not provided to Africa to settle its draining conflicts, which will allow the continent to achieve the SDGs by 2030 and establish the Africa we want in line with the 2063 Vision of the African Union.”

Turkey
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President
21 September 2021

Armed conflict: “The people of Afghanistan have been left alone with the consequences of instability and the conflicts that have lasted for more than 4 decades. Regardless of the political process, Afghanistan needs the help and solidarity of the international community. We hope that peace, stability and security will be established in the country as soon as possible, and that the Afghan people will find relief.”

Armed conflict: “Ten years have gone by in the humanitarian drama in Syria, which has caused the death of hundreds of thousands of people and the displacement of millions of people before the eyes of the whole world. While our country embraces close to 4 million Syrians, we are also battling on the ground terrorist organisations that have drowned the region in blood and tears.”

Ceasefire: “Thanks to our strong support to international legitimacy in Libya, a ceasefire was declared and then the presidential council at the national unity government were formed.”

Armed conflict: “One of the most important problems that fuels instability and threatens peace and security in our region is the Israeli and Palestinian conflict. As long as the persecution of the Palestinian people continues, lasting peace and stability in the middle east is not possible. For this reason, invasion, annexation and illegal settlement policies must absolutely and immediately be brought to an end.”

Turkmenistan
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President
21 September 2021

No relevant references.

Tuvalu
Kausea Natano, Prime Minister
25 September 2021

No relevant references.

Uganda
H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President
23 September 2021

No relevant references.

Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelensky, President
22 September 2021

Armed conflict: “Is it time to wake up? Honestly - Ukraine did not fall asleep. It is difficult to do so due to the sounds of explosions, the sounds of shots being heard in our occupied Donbas for the eighth year in a row ... almost 15 thousand people killed already.”

Armed conflict, use of explosive weapons, small arms and light weapons: “If all those in power had sincerely supported the peace-loving efforts of the world community, shells would not have exploded on Afghan land today, and machine guns would not have terrorized the civilian population.”

United Arab Emirates
Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State
27 September 2021

Armed conflict: “Nevertheless, and in order to succeed in our efforts to end the cycle of conflict in the Arab region, crude regional interference in Arab affairs, especially in Syria, Yemen, Libya, and Iraq, must be halted.”

Ceasefire: “In this context, we believe that there is an opportunity to achieve sustainable peace in Yemen. It will only be possible by reaching a comprehensive political solution that includes a ceasefire to ensure stability for the people of Yemen and neighboring countries.”

Armed conflict: “The ongoing conflicts in the region exacerbated by the pandemic threaten to contribute to a future in which extremist and terrorist groups, such as the Houthis, Da'esh, Al-Qaeda, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Hezbollah, continue their recruitment of new generations of young people to fuel violence and hatred.”

Weapons of mass destruction: “Similarly, we must ensure that the Middle East is a region free of weapons of mass destruction.”

Nuclear weapons, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA): “We cannot ignore Iran's development of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, as well as its interference in the region. Therefore, any future agreement with Iran must address the shortcomings of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and must involve the countries of the region. This is a legitimate and fair request by countries that seek to protect their security and peoples.”

United Kingdom
Boris Johnson, Prime Minister
22 September 2021

Nuclear energy: “We have released energy from within the atom itself and from hydrogen, and we have found ways to store that energy in increasingly capacious batteries and even in molten salt.”

Nuclear energy: “We are making a huge bet on hydrogen, we are expanding nuclear, we are helping people to reduce their own household CO2.”

United States of America
Joseph R. Biden Jr., President
21 September 2021

Militarism, cyber peace and security: "Instead of continuing to fight the wars of the past, we are fixing our eyes on devoting our resources to the challenges that hold the keys to our collective future: ending this pandemic; addressing the climate crisis; managing the shifts in global power dynamics; shaping the rules of the world on vital issues like trade, cyber, and emerging technologies; and facing the threat of terrorism as it stands today."

Armed conflict: "We’ve ended 20 years of conflict in Afghanistan. And as we close this period of relentless war, we’re opening a new era of relentless diplomacy; of using the power of our development aid to invest in new ways of lifting people up around the world; of renewing and defending democracy; of proving that no matter how challenging or how complex the problems we’re going to face, government by and for the people is still the best way to deliver for all of our people."

Militarism: “Make no mistake: The United States will continue to defend ourselves, our Allies, and our interests against attack, including terrorist threats, as we prepare to use force if any is necessary, but — to defend our vital U.S. national interests, including against ongoing and imminent threats. But the mission must be clear and achievable, undertaken with the informed consent of the American people and, whenever possible, in partnership with our Allies. U.S. military power must be our tool of last resort, not our first, and it should not be used as an answer to every problem we see around the world. Indeed, today, many of our greatest concerns cannot be solved or even addressed through the force of arms. Bombs and bullets cannot defend against COVID-19 or its future variants.”

Artificial intelligence: "As we deal with these crises, we’re also encountering a new era — an era of new technologies and possibilities that have the potential to release and reshape every aspect of human existence. And it’s up to all of us to determine whether these technologies are a force to empower people or to deepen repression. As new technologies continue to evolve, we’ll work together with our democratic partners to ensure that new advances in areas from biotechnology, to quantum computing, 5G, artificial intelligence, and more are used to lift people up, to solve problems, and advance human freedom — not to suppress dissent or target minority communities."

Cyber peace and security: “We’re hardening our critical infrastructure against cyberattacks, disrupting ransomware networks, and working to establish clear rules of the road for all nations as it relates to cyberspace. We reserve the right to respond decisively to cyberattacks that threaten our people, our allies, or our interests. “

Arms control: “We’ll continue to uphold the longstanding rules and norms that have formed the guardrails of international engagement for decades that have been essential to the development of nations around the world — bedrock commitments like freedom of navigation, adherence to international laws and treaties, support for arms control measures that reduce the risk and enhance transparency.”

Militarism: "But we’re not seeking — I’ll say it again — we are not seeking a new Cold War or a world divided into rigid blocs."

Nuclear weapons: “The United States is ready to work with any nation that steps up and pursues peaceful resolution to shared challenges, even if we have intense disagreements in other areas — because we’ll all suffer the consequences of our failure if we do not come together to address the urgent threats like COVID-19 and climate change or enduring threats like nuclear proliferation."

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA): “The United States remains committed to preventing Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon. We are working with the P5+1 to engage Iran diplomatically and seek a return to the JCPOA. We’re prepared to return to full compliance if Iran does the same.”

Korean Peninsula, nuclear weapons: “Similarly, we seek serious and sustained diplomacy to pursue the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We seek concrete progress toward an available plan with tangible commitments that would increase stability on the Peninsula and in the region, as well as improve the lives of the people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”

Militarism: “We’ll meet terrorist threats that arise today and in the future with a full range of tools available to us, including working in cooperation with local partners so that we need not be so reliant on large-scale military deployments.”

Armed conflict: "And as we strive to make lives better, we must work with renewed purpose to end the conflicts that are driving so much pain and hurt around the world. We must redouble our diplomacy and commit to political negotiations, not violence, as the tool of first resort to manage tensions around the world."

Armed conflict: “We cannot give up on solving raging civil conflicts, including in Ethiopia and Yemen, where fighting between warring parties is driving famine, horrific violence, human rights violations against civilians, including the unconscionable use of rape as a weapon of war.”

Armed conflict, militarism: "I stand here today, for the first time in 20 years, with the United States not at war. We’ve turned the page."

Uruguay
Luis Lacalle Pou, President
22 September 2021

No relevant references.

Uzbekistan
Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President
21 September 2021

No relevant references.

Vanuatu
Bob Loughman Weibur, Prime Minister
25 September 2021

No relevant references.

Venezuela
Nicolás Maduro Moros, President
22 September 2021

Militarism: “Of what must be, without a doubt, the construction of the new world, of the new human community, of a world without hegemonic empires; of a world liberated from the attempt of economic, financial, military, political domination of some hegemon, of some empire, or of those who for centuries plundered and dominated, exploited and oppressed the peoples of the world with the old rapacious colonialism. Today they pretend to present new forms of neo-colonialism against our people, new forms of domination, plundering, oppression, exploitation against the peoples of the world.”

Viet Nam
Nguyen Xuan Phuc, President
22 September 2021

Ceasefire: "Viet Nam calls for a global ceasefire and an end to all violence to ensure the safety of civilians and facilitate humanitarian assistance in areas of conflicts."

Armed conflict: "Increasing tensions among major powers has led to a divisive and unstable international system. Wars are taking the lives of many innocent people. Disputes over territories and resources in many areas are on the verge of erupting."

Armed conflict: "We understand thoroughly the meaning of “nothing is more precious than independence and freedom,” and of peace and development of each nation. Viet Nam condemns all acts of war and power politics, and violations of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law.”

Yemen
Ahmed Awad Ahmed Binmubarak, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2021

Armed conflict: “Whilst we are here convening, Yemen has for the past seven years been suffering hardships due to the war forced on our people by the Houthi coup militias, the logistic and military support of the Iranian regime aiming to destabilize Yemen and the region and create sectarian entities and armed militias affiliated there with instead of national armies. This proves that Iran has been and continues to be part of the problem in Yemen, rather than the solution. The coup by the Houthi militias transformed the Spring of freedom, dialogue, and peaceful transfer of power of September 2020 into an Autumn of suffering injustice oppression, destruction of political participation, suffocation of public freedoms, raids on houses, explosion of schools and places of worship, chasing of opponents, torturing of citizens, and transforming Sanaa, the city of history, civilization, and peaceful coexistence into a large prison for the Yemeni people.”

Armed conflict, ceasefire: “Mr. President, this war forced on our people culminated into a humanitarian catastrophe, dismembered the Yemeni society, and triggered waves of mass displacement, oppression, forced disappearance, and unprecedented destitution. We have extended our hands with peace time and again to spare our people those scourges and disasters. We spared no effort to support and facilitate the efforts of the United Nations and the former UN Envoy and his two predecessors to salvage the country and achieve lasting and comprehensive peace that would put an end to the coup and war and the bloodshed of Yemeni people and the Yemeni tragedy. We agreed to any format whereby the principles and immortal republican regime of Yemen could be preserved, that very regime that renounced the ethnic lineal theocratic regime. We have made a lot of compromises to achieve peace throughout the last six years and we even accepted all initiatives and proposals that aim to put an end to the coup, especially the initiative by the Former Envoy Mr. Martin Griffiths and the initiative made by Saudi Arabia, which is based on a comprehensive ceasefire as one of the most important humanitarian steps that contribute to addressing all humanitarian and economic issues, including reopening the Sana’a Airport and facilitating access of oil derivatives through the Hodeidah Port according to the Stockholm Agreement; however, all those efforts were met by intransigence by the terrorist Houthi militias and their Iranian patrons.”

Armed conflict, use of explosive weapons in populated areas, targeting of civilians: “They even took advantage of this for mobilisation and escalation and attacking a number of governorates and cities. They have even perpetrated more carnages and massacres against civilians in a number of governorates and cities in Yemen, and currently Marib governorate is victim to attacks by the Houthi militias using ballistic missiles, drones, and heavy weaponry with total indifference to the lives of civilians and the displaced persons that escaped their areas of control that are estimated by more than two million people, in addition to the recurrent targeting of those militias of civilians and civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.”

Armed conflict, militarism: “Meanwhile, they destabilize stable areas including the latest aggression against Shabwah governorate, which is a symbol of pride and resilience and one of the most important models of stability and development in Yemen, as well as their attacks against the Al Bayda, Abyan, and Dhale governorates. And recently they have also destroyed the civilian local port after its soft opening to be the only port on the Western coast and the Taiz governorate which has been under siege for six years. All this paints a very vibrant picture of the stance of those militias and their stance regarding peace without realizing that weapons and violence will not sow the seeds of peace, but will create vicious circles of conflict and war that will only claim more lives. This requires the international community to shoulder its responsibility and put an end to this arrogance, and the suffering of our people by exerting pressure on the coup leaders and their sponsors to implement the Security Council resolutions and to put an end to the bloodshed, destruction, and to create an environment conducive to access of all Yemeni to humanitarian aid. Allow me, and from this platform, to pay tribute to the sacrifices of the Military Forces and Resistance people all over Yemen, especially our heroes in Mahib and Shabwah, who defend the country and its dignity.”

Armed conflict: “Mr. President, the crimes and violations perpetrated by Houthis are inconceivable. On Saturday 18 of September, they have extrajudicially executed nine Yemenis, including a minor, in a very abhorrent and heinous manner that is very similar to the crimes perpetrated by ISIS and Al Qaeda. Dozens of Yemenis languish in dungeons on the execution cue. If the word fails to salvage them, this is only the tip of the iceberg, as we have thousands of politicians, activists, and journalists who are languishing in clandestine dungeons. Meanwhile, the Yemeni government insists on invoking international humanitarian law and upholds human rights, especially women’s rights, and we stress our upholding of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security and we have taken a number of measures and we adopted a National Plan on Women, Peace, and Security.”

Militarism, military spending, child soldiers: “Houthi militias continue to impose more taxes and customs fees, even between Yemeni cities, and they harness this to feed the war machinery and to pay salaries of their own people. Meanwhile, militias try to circumvent old rules to have access to goods and basic needs, even from humanitarian aid and all this money, which is estimated at 3.8 billion dollars per year in addition to the amounts garnered by warlords, all this money is invested in recruiting children and involving them into the war.

Armed conflict: “I would like to stress the importance of the implementation of the security and military section of the Riyad Agreement and the importance.”

Zambia
Hakainde Hichilema, President
21 September 2021

Militarism, armed conflict, weapons proliferation, small arms and light weapons: “I am drawn to the prophetic inscription on the wall to the United Nations Plaza and I quote, ‘They shall beat into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.’ These words serve as a reminder to the United Nations to work towards global peace and international cooperation. Though we have made leaps and bounds in the area of peace, security, and stability, there remains pockets of conflict in many regions of the world where guns have not been silenced up to now. Silencing of guns goes beyond addressing conventional warfare, but also in addressing new emerging threats of our century, which include challenges of international terrorism, cybercrime, asymmetric warfare, proliferation of non-conventional weapons, and organized crime. As an international community, we need to continue to work towards and work together to address root causes of these threats through various national, regional, and global mechanisms.”

Small arms and light weapons: “Zambia remains committed to the call of the Lusaka Roadmap to silence guns in Africa and the initiative being implemented by all African Union (AU) member states to promote peace and security, which has since been endorsed for extension for a further ten year period from 2021 to 2030. We therefore wish to call for further support from the United Nations for silencing guns in Africa and other continental initiatives.”

Nuclear weapons: “Zambia notes with satisfaction the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which became operative on 22 January 2021. The entry of force of the TPNW is a tangible feat towards advancing nuclear disarmament on the international stage. Zambia encourages other states that are yet to ratify the TPNW to come on board so that we can continue making advances toward achieving our aspirations and education for eradicating nuclear weapons on our continent.”

Zimbabwe
Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, President
23 September 2021

Small arms and light weapons, cyber peace and security: “The state of global peace and security is a cause for concern. Terrorism, illicit flow of small arms and light weapons, transnational organized crime, cybercrime and illicit financial flows among other aspects, continue to impede our march towards the realisation of sustainable peace, security and stability.”

Small arms and light weapons: “The recent acts of terrorism in our SADC region are constant reminders of our vulnerability to the scourge of terrorism which has become one of Africa’s greatest security threats. African Nations need to be capacitated to effectively counter this vice along with the Continental flagship programme on “Silencing the Guns” through, “African solutions for African problems.”

Nuclear weapons: “As we commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons during this High-level week, let us be mindful of the need to build trust based on international law, to realize the shared goal of a world free of nuclear weapons.”