UNGA Disarmament Index 2023: H-R

This is an index of all references made to issues of disarmament and arms control made during the 78th General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly from 19–26 September 2023.

A-G | H-R | S-Z

Haiti
Mr. Ariel Henry, Prime Minister
22 September 2023

Armed groups, weapons, child soldiers: “One hundred and sixty-two (162) armed groups with more than 3,000 soldiers are registered on the national territory, mainly in the capital with as many weapons, to which must be added numerous latent but equally dangerous bases. Abuses and systematic violations of human rights are compromising the peace, stability and security of the country and the region, forcing other compatriots to migrate and go into voluntary exile. Kidnappings, looting, arson, the recent massacres in Canaan and Carrefour-Feuilles, sexual and gender-based violence, organ trafficking, human trafficking, homicides, extrajudicial executions, the recruitment of child soldiers and blockades of main roads are just some of the crimes.”

Weapons, militarism: “The daily lives of my compatriots are punctuated by the crackling of automatic weapons. A return to security is essential for the re-establishment of democratic institutions and the assumption of responsibility by the legitimate authorities, who will have the enormous task of tackling the major challenges and addressing economic and social issues in depth, with a view to improving the material living conditions of the population. It is in this context that the Government's request for robust support to strengthen the efforts of the National Police and to help alleviate the worsening humanitarian, security and economic crises was made in its letter of 7 October 2022 to the Secretary-General. This request was renewed in June 2023, in view of the lack of convincing results on the security and humanitarian fronts.”

Holy See
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary of Relations with States
26 September 2023

Autonomous weapons: “That is why there is an urgent need to engage in serious ethical reflection on the use and integration of supercomputer systems and processes in our daily lives. Moreover, Pope Francis insists that we must be “be vigilant and work to ensure that the discriminatory use of these instruments does not take root at the expense of the most fragile and excluded […] it is not acceptable that the decision about someone’s life and future be entrusted to an algorithm.” This is valid in all situation also in the development of use of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS).

“Recently, a growing number of legal and ethical concerns have been raised, about the use of LAWS in armed conflicts. It is clear that their use should be in line with the international humanitarian law. There is need to begin negotiations on a legally binding instrument governing LAWS and to implement a moratorium on them pending the conclusion of negotiations. It is imperative to ensure adequate, meaningful and consistent human oversight of weapon systems: only human beings are truly capable of seeing and judging the ethical impact of their actions, as well as assessing their consequent responsibilities.”

Nuclear weapons: “In recent decades, this Organization has witnessed an increase in activities on various fronts, including laudable initiatives aimed at reducing poverty, helping migrants, combating climate change, promoting nuclear disarmament, and offering humanitarian aid along with multiple others.”

Militarism: “Indeed, we are living at a crucial moment for humanity, in which peace seems to give way to war. Conflicts are growing, and stability is increasingly put at risk.”

Militarism: “On the other hand, in these last years we have seen crumbling trust among nations, clear evidence of which is the increase in number and gravity of conflicts and wars. Furthermore, the current conflict in Ukraine has made all the more evident the crisis that has long affected the multilateral system, which needs a profound rethinking if it is to respond adequately to the challenges of our time.”

Militarism: “Despite the fact that so many tragedies have struck and are still shaking the family of nations this year, amid natural disasters, severe food security problems and political instability, causing anguish, hardship and uncertainty about the future, the Russian attack on Ukraine remains one of the most painful and bleeding wounds, which instead of healing is widening and deepening. Undoubtedly, in more than 18 months of war we have witnessed the admirable, ever-renewed commitment of so many Countries to help the battered Ukraine defend its people and its territory. Unfortunately, however, this has not been accompanied by an equal effort to find ways in which the confrontation can be overcome. We remain far from true encounter and dialogue, so as to put an end to the hatred, destruction and death, to open paths of peace and reconstruction. This is what the Holy See, apart from its humanitarian assistance, hopes for and seeks to promote with each of its countless appeals and initiatives, dependent on the cooperation of all international actors.”

Militarism: “The situation in Sudan also continues to be of great concern. Over the past six months, armed clashes have resulted in a high number of victims and displaced persons, as well as a very serious humanitarian crisis, increasingly distancing the prospect of achieving peace and restoring stability to the country. The Holy See makes a heartfelt appeal for the laying down of arms so that dialogue can prevail and the suffering of the population can be alleviated.”

Militarism: “Yet the worst effect of this famine of fraternity is armed conflict and war, that makes enemies of not only individuals but entire peoples, and whose negative consequences reverberate for generations.”

Nuclear weapons, nuclear energy: “The conflict in Ukraine has been instrumental to bringing back the elevated threat of nuclear escalation into the discussion. Once again, it is the firm conviction of the Holy See that the use of atomic energy for purposes of war is, today more than ever, a crime not only against the dignity of human beings, but against any possible future for our common home, while the mere possession itself of nuclear weapons is also immoral.”

Nuclear weapons: “In this context, there is need to instil an ambitious program of work for the Second Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), including advancement of discussions on the creation of an International Trust Fund to support a restorative approach to the human and environmental harms caused by nuclear use and testing. The Holy See calls on States to sign and ratify the TPNW, as well the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the NonProliferation Treaty (NPT), which together, in complementarity, form the basis for the disarmament and non-proliferation regime.”

Nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction: “Indeed, “in order to make peace a reality, we must move away from the logic of the legitimacy of war: if this were valid in earlier times, when wars were more limited in scope, in our own day, with nuclear weapons and those of mass destruction, the battlefield has become practically unlimited, and the effects potentially catastrophic.”

Honduras
Ms. Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, President
20 September 2023

Military spending: “Today, major economic interests confront each other in the war in Ukraine; in the end, those most affected are the poorest countries and people on earth, devastated by inflation, food shortages and high fuel prices. The military industrial complex consumes the majority of the budgets of developed countries with trillions and trillions of dollars, but it contrasts with the indifference and inability to contribute to humanity and the defense of nature.”

Nuclear weapons, militarism: “The war in Ukraine must come to an end, all of humanity is obliged to find a way to achieve peace, we cannot live with the permanent threat of a conflict that puts an end to our planet.”

Hungary
Ms. Katalin Novák, President
19 September 2023

Militarism: “There is no alternative to peace. The killing, the terrible destruction, must stop as soon as possible. War is never the solution. We know that peace is only realistically attainable when at least one side sees the time for negotiations as having come. We cannot decide for Ukrainians about how much they are prepared to sacrifice, but we have a duty to represent our own nation's desire for peace. And we must do all we can to avoid an escalation of the war.”

Military alliances: “Hungary has always been respectful towards other nations. We are loyal to our allies and our partners alike. Proud and active members of the United Nations, NATO, the European Union and the Council of Europe. We do our share of the joint tasks, even beyond our size and economic weight. As an equestrian nation, we speak honestly, with a straight posture.”

Iceland
Ms. Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2023

AI weapons: “Artificial intelligence asks some serious questions that will demand close multilateral co-operation to avoid the very real risk of this technology becoming a tool of destruction rather than creation.”

Militarism: “Military coups are proliferating in Africa, the situation in Sudan is deteriorating, the Taliban regime tightens the grip in Afghanistan, the military junta in Myanmar continues to commit atrocities and the conflict between Israel and Palestine frequently flairs up with the two-state solution nowhere in sight. Russia’s war of territorial aggression is not only a brutal assault on Ukraine and its people - it is also an unprecedented affront to the international system.

“This madness has been ongoing for over 18 months and is the sole responsibility of a permanent member of the Security Council, which should be acting on behalf of the UN membership as a guardian of international peace and security. Instead, the Russian Federation chooses to viciously attack a neighbouring country in complete violation of the UN Charter and international law.

“Iceland is proud to have been at the helm when the Council of Europe decided last May to establish a Register for Damage incurred by the Russian invasion in Ukraine. This is an important step in seeking reparations after the war and holding perpetrators to account. Every country of the world and humankind as a whole, stands to lose if the international community allows wars of neo-colonial conquest by large powers against its neighbours. There are many grey zones in world affairs. This is not one of them. Russia is the aggressor and must be stopped. Ukraine is rightly defending its land, and by extension our international system. It must be supported.”

India
Mr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister for External Affairs
26 September 2023

No relevant references.

Indonesia
Ms. Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2023

Demilitarisation: “We must uphold respect for international law, particularly the fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. This will ensure that disputes would be settled on the negotiating table rather than at the battlefield.”

Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Mr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, President
19 September 2023

Militarism: “Now that our region has passed two decades of imposed tension and crisis and the resistance of free nations in Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Afghanistan has borne fruit, the prospects for the region can only be guaranteed by deepening mutual political trust and extensive economic cooperation, and endogenous security… The power of the Islamic Republic is a security-building power, and by removing the options of war, occupation and partition of countries from the table of the dominating powers, it has opened new horizons for the region. The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the priority of the region is Islamic unity and collective development. Undoubtedly, stabilisation of security depends on collective development, and this is the only way to prosperity in West Asia.”

Chemical weapons: “Despite producing and publishing tens of thousands of false news and reports about Iran, important facts about Iran are being censored all over the world: Have you ever heard anything about the chemical bombing of Iranian people? Those chemical weapons were given to Saddam by some Europeans. Have you seen the picture of the chemical victims who are still alive, but have been in the hospital for about 35 years and are in pain?”

Militarism: “Isn't it time to end the 75 years of occupation of the Palestinian land and the oppression of that oppressed nation and the killing of women and children and the rights of the Palestinian nation be recognised?... The only government based on apartheid and racial discrimination remaining in the world, which is founded on the basis of war, occupation, terrorism and violation of the rights of nations and continues to live on this basis and method, cannot be a partner of peace.”

Militarism: “Today's situation in Afghanistan is another manifestation of the effects of Western intervention in the region, which led to the killing of more than 170,000 men, women and children. In Afghanistan, Iran emphasises the inclusive government and the necessity of respecting the rights of all tribes, ethnicities and religions of this country.”

Militarism: “Regarding the war between Ukraine and Russia, I would like to emphasise once again the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran in rejecting war as a solution to any conflict. We do not consider the war in Europe to be in the interest of any European side. Rejecting any ceasefire plan in the Ukraine war by the Americans shows that America has a long-term plan to weaken Europe. We support any initiative to end the war and start the political process and declare our readiness to play a constructive role in this field.”

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action: “America's withdrawal from the JCPOA was a violation of the Muslim principle of faithfulness to the covenant. The US government continues to avoid fulfilling its obligations under the JCPOA by clearly violating the provisions of Security Council Resolution 2231. With this behaviour, America has actually prescribed lawlessness and coercion instead of cooperation, contrary to all its claims. America needs to prove by building trust that it has good intentions and has a real will to fulfil its commitments and finalise the path. The Europeans, who after years of not adhering to their commitments, including the cancellation of sanctions, are now violating the JCPOA and UN Security Council Resolution 2231, must understand that they will lose if they speed up the costly path of confrontation.”

Nuclear weapons: “Nuclear weapons have no place in the defence doctrine of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Official reports of relevant international authorities and even Western intelligence communities have repeatedly emphasised the truth of this claim. As in the past two decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran will in no way abandon the inalienable rights of its nation to peacefully benefit from nuclear technology. The world's only nuclear criminal does not fulfil its obligations under the NPT to disarm nuclear weapons, but by imposing illegal unilateral sanctions, it violates the indisputable principles of international law and the United Nations Charter and violates the rights of nations. But these sanctions have had no effect on our nation's decisiveness in the country's progress. It is time for America to end its crisis of decision-making and choose the right path.”

Iraq
Mr. Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, Prime Minister
22 September 2023

Protection of civilians in armed conflict: “We are moving towards endorsing a policy of the protection of civilians so that we would entrench the concept of preserving human rights and respecting humanitarian international humanitarian law. We train our security forces and we monitor their performance in the field of protecting civilians, especially in terms of any mistakes that are committed in armed conflicts.”

Ireland
Mr. Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach
22 September 2023

Militarism: “Our term on the Security Council in 2021/2022 saw grave breaches of that Charter; none more flagrant than Russia’s imperialist and brutal invasion of Ukraine. It was an act of unprovoked and unjustified aggression by an expansionist power against its neighbour. The brutality of Russia’s actions in Ukraine has caused unfathomable suffering for the people of that country. And, as I stand on this most global of stages, I am deeply conscious of the wider suffering it has caused, increasing global food, energy and economic insecurity.”

Nuclear weapons: “Among the many horrors of the situation in Ukraine has been Russia’s threat – indeed its multiple threats – to use nuclear weapons. Such threats are, in themselves, outrageous. Russia knows, as we all do, that their use would result in devastating humanitarian and environmental disaster. Ireland has long been committed to a world free of nuclear threats - but we see a world in which their place in security doctrines is growing, rather than diminishing. This must be reversed. The stark alternative is a new nuclear arms race. That must not pass.

Explosive weapons: “The devastation on innocent civilians of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas cannot continue to echo down generations. That is why Ireland led negotiations on a Political Declaration to respond to the humanitarian consequences arising from their use. We are pleased that 83 states adopted the Declaration in Dublin last year. And we urge all states here to join.”

Israel
Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister
22 September 2023

Nuclear weapons: “You know, a few years ago I stood here with a red marker to show the curse, a great curse, the curse of a nuclear Iran.”

Military spending: “Iran continues to spend billions to arm its terror proxies. It continues to extend its terror tentacles in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, South America, even North America.”

Nuclear weapons: “Iran continues to threaten international shipping lanes, hold foreign nationals for ransom and engage in nuclear blackmail.”

Drones, missiles: “Iran’s drones and missile program threaten Israel and our Arab neighbors. And Iran's drones have brought and bring death and destruction to innocent people in the Ukraine.”

Nuclear weapons: “Eight years ago, the Western powers promised that if Iran violated the nuclear deal, the sanctions would be snapped back. Well, Iran is violating the deal. But the sanctions have not been snapped back. To stop its nuclear ambitions, this policy must change. Sanctions must be snapped back and above all, Iran must face a credible military threat. As long as I am prime minister of Israel, I will do everything in my power to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons. Eight years ago, the Western powers promised that if Iran violated the nuclear deal, the sanctions would be snapped back. Well, Iran is violating the deal. But the sanctions have not been snapped back.To stop its nuclear ambitions, this policy must change. Sanctions must be snapped back and above all, Iran must face a credible military threat. As long as I am prime minister of Israel, I will do everything in my power to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons.”

AI weapons: “Yet even more disturbing, is the potential eruption of AI-driven wars that could achieve an unimaginable scale. Behind this perhaps looms an even greater threat, once the stuff of science fiction: that self-taught machines could eventually control humans instead of the other way around. The world’s leading nations, however competitive, must address these dangers. We must do so quickly and we must do so together. We must ensure that the promise of an AI utopia does not turn into an AI dystopia…. Our goal must be to ensure that AI brings more freedom and not less, prevents wars instead of starting them, and ensures that people live longer, healthier, more productive and peaceful lives. It’s in our reach.”

Italy
Ms. Giorgia Meloni, President of the Council of Ministers
20 September 2023

Explosive weapons: “Italy made a clear choice as to where it stands. It did so out of a sense of justice and because it is aware of how difficult it would be to govern a world, in which the upper hand is given to those who bombard civilian infrastructure hoping to bring a people to its knees with cold and darkness, to those who weaponize energy and blackmail developing nations, blocking exports of grain - the raw material needed to feed millions of people.”

Jamaica
Ms. Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
26 September 2023

Small arms and light weapons, ammunition, arms trafficking, arms production: “Small island states like ours with porous borders rely on global partnerships to combat trafficking in persons, arms and drugs. Jamaica does not manufacture guns or ammunition. Countries that do and which serve as major consumers of drugs must do more in preventing their outflow and in fighting these elements of transnational organized crime, which have massive impact on developing countries like ours in the region. Last year, in this very hall, Prime Minister Holness called for a war on guns comparable to the war on drugs. As he also said more recently at the International Drug Enforcement Conference which Jamaica co-hosted last week, ‘[t]he war on drugs must be reciprocated, complemented and fought in parallel with the war on guns… Our joint efforts not only seek to combat illegal firearms and drugs, but also to fortify international collaboration, reinforcing our pursuit of justice and security’.”

Cyber: “We also recognize the threat posed to peace and security in the digital space, and therefore continue to work to advance our domestic capacity as well as multilateral efforts to address cybersecurity. We are also honoured to lead CARICOM’s work towards the conclusion of a UN Convention on Cybercrime.”

Demilitarisation: “On the matter of international peace and security, Jamaica firmly believes that dialogue, diplomacy, and cooperation must be pursued as the pathways to resolution of conflict. Jamaica, therefore, calls on all nations to prioritize the pursuit of peace over the perpetuation of conflict and aggression. We reiterate our call for an end to the war in Ukraine, and urge parties to regional and civil wars to choose dialogue and co-existence over conflict, as it is ordinary people and the most vulnerable people who suffer the devastating consequences of war.”

Nuclear weapons: “We are proud that Latin America and the Caribbean remains a Zone of Peace and a nuclear-free zone. Jamaica reiterates our long-standing position that all States must heed the call for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and refrain from the testing, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons.”

Japan
Mr. Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister
19 September 2023

Nuclear weapons, disarmament: “Towards achieving a world without nuclear weapons, we will continue to bolster realistic and practical efforts, while upholding and strengthening the NPT by implementing measures under the ‘Hiroshima Action Plan.’ I call on political leaders of nuclear-weapon States and other countries around the globe to step up their engagement on nuclear disarmament so that those from all walks of life are exposed to its importance and take concrete action, not despite of, but because of the challenging security environment. With a view to working towards a world without nuclear weapons, which we have been striving for together with the Hibakushas, we must crystalize the nuclear disarmament trend, which has been successfully ‘mainstreamed’ thanks to the efforts of our predecessors.”

Nuclear weapons, disarmament: “As we speak, we are faced with the threat of the reversal of the downward trend of the global number of nuclear weapons. The significance of a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other explosive devices (FMCT), which was avowed here in the General Assembly 30 years ago, has not diminished by any measure. That is why I just co-hosted a High-Level Event on FMCT with the Philippines and Australia to refocus political attention towards the FMCT on the 30th year of its initial proposal. Having nuclear-weapon States engage in concrete nuclear disarmament measures is key. Japan, as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, will work with the UN and relevant States to promote dialogue between nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States. To set in stone the trend of ‘mainstreaming’ nuclear disarmament, it is paramount to transcend purely government efforts and engage in multilayered efforts. To overcome the divisive debate among academia and government over whether we should be choosing deterrence or disarmament, Japan will contribute 3 billion yen to newly establish ‘Japan Chair for a world without nuclear weapons’ at overseas research institutes and think tanks.”

Protection of civilians in armed conflict: “We also need to defend the dignity of people jeopardized by armed conflicts. Russia's aggression against Ukraine continues. A food crisis must not be perpetuated. Supporting vulnerable people in Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere is essential. We need to protect the safety of women and children who are the most vulnerable in conflict situations, to strengthen border controls and measures against trafficking in persons as well as to provide international support to retrieve abducted children.”

Militarism, nuclear weapons: “However, even to this day, Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, is infringing upon international law and the ‘rule of law’. Unilateral changes to the status quo by force or coercion are unacceptable anywhere in the world. The situation, which the General Assembly has repeatedly condemned as a violation of the UN Charter and human rights, must be rectified as soon as possible and the nuclear threat must be ended.”

Nuclear weapons, missiles: “Japan's policy on North Korea remains unchanged. Japan seeks to normalize its relationship with North Korea, in accordance with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, through comprehensively resolving the outstanding issues of concern such as the abductions, nuclear and missile issues, as well as settlement of our unfortunate past.”

Jordan
Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, King
19 September 2023

No relevant references.

Kazakhstan
Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President
19 September 2023

Militarism: “The resolution of political issues by force in fact results only in deadlock. Dialogue is the only way to create a conducive environment that enables agreement on new principles and norms. Despite best efforts, conflicts persist in many regions of the world. We urge all parties to seek diplomatic solutions to the conflicts based on the UN Charter and universally recognized international law. In this regard, Kazakhstan commends all the efforts and plans proposed by different states and groups of countries in support of a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. Diplomacy and dialogue should always prevail in seeking the resolution of international disputes.”

Nuclear weapons: “Of all the challenges we face, perhaps the most destructive is the threat of use of nuclear weapons. 30 years ago, Kazakhstan voluntarily renounced the fourth largest inherited nuclear arsenal. That is why the logic of the nuclear agenda must be reversed. Only mutual trust and cooperation between nuclear powers – on the path to a world free of nuclear weapons – can produce global stability. In this context, Kazakhstan declares its continuous commitment to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. We support the development of new mechanisms in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation. A Strategic Plan for the complete renunciation of nuclear weapons by 2045 could well be the most significant contribution to global security of this generation of leaders.”

Weapons: “But the search for peace is not just about the banning of weapons or the signing of declarations. Interreligious and interfaith dialogue plays a key role in fostering a culture of peace.”

Kenya
Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President
21 September 2023

Small arms and light weapons: “In Ethiopia, the guns have fallen silent following the Pretoria and Nairobi agreements. ”

Demilitarisation: “Our proactive commitment to peace, which is not limited to our continent, inspired us to dispatch the African Peace Delegation, consisting of six African heads of states to Moscow and Kiev with a ten-point peace plan, beginning with efforts to initiate a mediation process to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Although the delegation encountered significant challenges in their mission, we remain very proud that they showed up. The hunger for peace and security in Africa is evident, and this bodes well for the prospects of attaining the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and global peace.”

Kiribati
Mr. Taneti Maamau, President
21 September 2023

Nuclear weapons, nuclear energy: “We must recall our commitments under our UN Charter, to build a safe, peaceful and secure home for our peoples, individually as sovereign nations, and collectively as members of our United Nations. In Kiribati, we strongly believe that this is deeply threatened and undermined by the continued existence of nuclear weapons, the discharge of nuclear treated water and leak of radioactive materials into the Blue Pacific Ocean. The existence of nuclear weapons also diminishes trust in our UN Family members on their commitment to peace and stability, if they continue to manufacture and possess nuclear weapons.”

Nuclear weapons: “Kiribati will continue promoting the non-proliferation and ultimately the total elimination of nuclear weapons to our United Nations, in particular our obligations in keeping our region, our land, our upper airspace and ocean free of environmental destruction and pollution with radioactive wastes and other materials including plastics. Most importantly, is the health of our people especially those who were exposed to the nuclear test blasts on Christmas Island, and those whose ancestral land have been exploited leaving pinnacles behind. Compensations must be made to those on Christmas Island including the Banaban people affected by environmental degradation to rebuild trust.”

Kyrgyzstan
Mr. Sadyr Zhaparov, President
19 September 2023

Military alliances: “Today the world is at a turning point. We are all witnessing and seeing with our own eyes the negative changes in the world order, increasing geostrategic competition between major powers and their blocs…. Over the past years, despite the ‘Iron Curtain’ and military-bloc thinking, the UN has been and remains the most legitimate and commonly recognized platform of diplomacy, uniting developed and developing, large and small countries.”

Kuwait
Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister
21 September 2023

Weapons of mass destruction, cyber: “Today once again I address the international community from this prestigious podium with regard to the challenges and obstacles that multilateralism is facing on the international arena. … Conflicts between states, WMDs that are proliferating, terrorism, and escalating scourge that's exacerbating already high poverty, as well as the threats posed by climate change and natural disasters… Not to mention the new and emerging challenges and risks in the cybersphere, which create great risks for cyber security. All of these factors mean that we must seek international cooperation based on partnership and responsibility.”

Arms trafficking: “The State of Kuwait believes that this agreement on maritime navigation in the region, as well as the security exchange protocol, are still valid in light of their importance for navigation and for maritime safety and security. These agreements can help prevent chaos and accidents in the region. They can also protect us from trafficking in arms and narcotics, which are sources of revenue for terrorist and extremist groups.”

Militarism: “Sudan … is experiencing tragic events due to an armed conflict and this is a source of real concern. We urge all parties involved to immediately end hostilities and to return to dialogue and to a peaceful political process to protect peace and security, as well as the territorial integrity of Sudan.”

Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister
23 September 2023

Demilitarisation: “Resolving global conflicts and disputes by peaceful means is the only viable way to ensure long-lasting peace and coexistence. In this regard, we urge an immediate end to the conflict in Ukraine through peaceful dialogues without which we all would continue to be impacted. We also demand a peaceful solution to the Middle East problem. The Lao PDR calls for the parties concerned to resume dialogues and restore mutual trust for solving the long overdue Palestinian issue through the establishment of two sovereign states, coexisting peacefully in line with the relevant UN resolutions.”

Unexploded ordnance: “The SDG is not just a global development goal, but for the Lao PDR, it is national commitment. In addition to the 17 global SDGs, the Lao PDR has SDG18 ‘Achieve lives safe from unexploded ordnance (UXO)’. Although most of its indicators have advanced to different degrees, the UXO remains a threat to our national development and poses an obstacle to other SDGs. We therefore take this opportunity to call for continued support and assistance from the international community to address this prolonged and challenging task.”

Latvia
Mr. Edgars Rinkēvičs, President
20 September 2023

Militarism, nuclear weapons: “The Russian Federation’s brutal invasion of its neighbor runs counter to the United Nations fundamental principles - to refrain from the use of force against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. Blatant breach of these principles undermines the entire international system. Especially if the aggressor is a nuclear-weapon state and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.”

Explosive weapons, protection of civilians in armed conflict: “Even in times of war, the rules of the international humanitarian law apply. The evidence of Russia’s deliberate attacks on civilian population and infrastructure in Ukraine is mounting. Innocent civilians, including children, are killed. More than eleven million people have been forced to leave their homes or flee their country.”

Lebanon
Mr. Mohammad Najib Azmi Mikati, President of the Council of Ministers
20 September 2023

Cyber: “We have always said that the world is witnessing cross border challenges, which require greater coordination and cooperation between countries from climate change. To fight viral pandemics to security, food security, cybersecurity, illegal migration, extremism and terrorism, to name a few.”

Lesotho (Kingdom of)
Mr. Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, Prime Minister
22 September 2023

Militarism, nuclear weapons: “With the conflicts and insurgency in the Sahel, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, and Ukraine, and the rising global tensions between Nuclear Weapon States, the UN’s capacity to maintain global peace and security is put to the test.”

Small arms and light weapons, nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction, chemical and biological weapons: “While access to small arms and light weapons, that kill our people on a daily basis, remains unfettered, peace will continue to elude us. While lack of political will to rid the world of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, including biological and chemical weapons, still exist, global peace and security will forever remain fragile. We call for implementation of the Programme of Action on illicit small arms and light weapons and for the total elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, in line with the international commitments and obligations undertaken.”

Liberia
Mr. George Manneh Weah, President
20 September 2023

Nuclear weapons: “As the world deals with unprecedented global political and security challenges there are growing concerns about the proliferation of non-state armed actors, threats of nuclear escalation and extreme climate conditions. These challenges continue to serve as obstacles to our quest for a safe and peaceful world.”

Libya
Mr. Fatalla AF Elzuni, Minister of Youth
20 September 2023

War profiteers: “This is all coming into play since the tragedy the Libyan people from the far south to the far north, set aside their political divisions and set aside the civil war in order to be reborn in order to transcend the wounds of the past, and in order to set course toward the future. To see through the eyes of future generations, rather than through the eyes of politicians and merchants of war.”

Weapons: “In conclusion, Libya doesn't need any more weapons so we can kill each other.”

Liechtenstein
Ms. Dominique Hasler, Minister for Foreign Affairs
21 September 2023

Militarism, protection of civilians in armed conflict: “At its very heart, the United Nations is a peace organization. It has risen from the ashes of two devastating world wars and makes a powerful promise to the future generations that the UN Charter addresses: That we, gathered in this Assembly, we will not allow unlawful war-making to bring devastation, human suffering and instability to the peoples that we represent. As leaders we have to ask, self-critically: Are we truly trying hard enough to put these promises into action?

“Illegal warfare is the biggest challenge to this organization. And there is no doubt that the unprovoked and in its core colonizing war that Russia has been waging against its neighbor Ukraine, a founding member of the United Nations, is the most egregious, blatant and manifest violation of the prohibition of the illegal use of force since the creation of the United Nations. For us to stand up together against this act of aggression means, most importantly, standing up for the international legal order. This order is certainly the only security guarantee – especially for us as a small state but also for the international community.”

Lithuania
Mr. Gitanas Nausėda, President
20 September 2023

Arms control: “It is also with greatest concern that we follow recent decisions by Russia on arms control…. We must remain true to the Charter’s fundamental principles, including respect for international law and arms control.”

Arms trade: “Lithuania strongly endorses President Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula. It is a robust foundation for attaining peace, aligned with the universal principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. Meanwhile, Lithuania calls on all United Nations Member States to provide substantial humanitarian, military, economic, and diplomatic assistance to Ukraine.”

Militarism: “While contemplating the issue of justice, we should also address the actions of the regime in Belarus which participates in this aggressive war by providing military assistance and facilitating the offensive from its territory.”

Nuclear weapons: Last year, Russia broke the emerging consensus in the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty Review conference. Later, Belarus announced agreement to deploy Russia’s nuclear weapons on its territory, which goes against the international commitments under the same Treaty.”

Nuclear energy: “Looking into the issue of nuclear safety, Lithuania expects more active cooperation by Russia in protecting the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant according to the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency…. From the very beginning, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has been a truly global issue. It affects global food security as well as nuclear safety.”

Luxembourg
Mr. Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister
22 September 2023

Military alliances: “For its part, Luxembourg is committed in all areas to supporting the aims and principles of the United Nations. As a founding member of the UN, the European Union, NATO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OECD and others, my country has never ceased to contribute to the development of an international order based on the rule of law. As Europeans, we are committed every day to defending the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and to strengthening multilateralism, with the United Nations at its heart.”

Militarism: “The appeal I made to the Russian delegation here last year unfortunately fell on deaf ears. When will the Russian delegation finally listen to us? When will Russia finally comply with the order of the International Court of Justice of 16 March 2022 by immediately suspending the military operations it has launched on the territory of Ukraine? When will Russia finally act on the resolutions adopted by this Assembly to put an end to the aggression and achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter? Today, the war continues. Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, continues. Ukraine can continue to count on our solidarity and support to help it defend its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter.”

Malawi
Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President
21 September 2023

Militarism: “It is not good enough to say we want to move towards peace, when our actions in other nations promote war and create the conditions for conflict.”

Militarism: “We need a development paradigm that promotes competition in matters of human ingenuity, science, technology, and innovation, and not in matters of militarization and economic exploitation, which are just new forms of colonization.”

Malaysia
Mr. Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister
22 September 2023

Militarism: “We condemn unequivocally the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This conflict in Ukraine, for example, underscores the imperative to make peace and settle differences amicably through negotiations. Nevertheless, time is not on our side, and owing to the protracted failure to deal with this Russian- Ukraine crisis, I urge for a concerted multilateral effort led by the UN to resolve this. We cannot choose our neighbours, but we can choose to live in peace with them. And peace cannot happen without the cessation of hostilities by all parties. It is imperative for all parties to return to dialogue and resolve their differences through the negotiation table.”

Militarism: “ASEAN is navigating the rivalry between major powers in the Asia Pacific. Malaysia believes that any strategy undertaken should neither start nor exacerbate a race for dominance. Instead, such strategies should contribute to peace and stability, security and prosperity in the region.”

Maldives
Mr. Ahmed Khaleel, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2023

No relevant references.

Mali
Mr. Abdoulaye Diop, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
23 September 2023

Militarism: “Peace and security remain the priority for the populations of Mali and the Sahel, after more than a decade of violence with particularly devastating consequences. However, this region was known as a haven of peace, social cohesion and living together between the communities that compose it. For its part, Mali has decided to change its paradigm and take its destiny into its own hands. Thus, in terms of security, Mali has given priority to strengthening the capacities of the Malian Defense and Security Forces, in order to enable them to carry out their sovereign missions of defending the national territory and protecting populations and property. Today, the Malian people have regained confidence in their defense tool. Today, the people of Mali are encouraged by the results achieved in the fight against armed terrorist groups and their foreign state sponsors. Mali once again and forcefully denounces the interference of certain powers which continue to facilitate the criminal activities of armed terrorist groups in Mali and the Sahel.

“It should be remembered that on August 15, 2022, the Government of Mali alerted the Security Council to France's acts of hostility and aggression. Instead of stopping these actions, this country, a permanent member of the Security Council, continues, with complete impunity, its maneuvers to destabilize Mali and the Sahel, as evidenced by the recent release of terrorists in the three borders of Burkina, of Mali and Niger, outside any judicial framework and without the knowledge of the States concerned, to perpetrate more terrorist actions against our civilian populations and our Defense and Security Forces.”

Militarism: “Mali is aware of the fact that military action alone is not enough to sustainably curb the complex challenges linked to terrorism and certain issues in the country's governance. This is the reason for which the Government has adopted an integrated strategy, which includes political and institutional reforms, the development component, taking into account the specific concerns of youth and women, including employment and their representation in the authorities decision-making at local and national levels.”

Protection of civilians in armed conflict: “The Government is aware of the challenges that mark the path to peace, such as the macabre series of terrorist attacks perpetrated, indiscriminately, against civilian populations and elements of the Malian Defense and Security Forces. The savage and barbaric attack against the boat “Timbuktu” and the assaults on the camps in the towns of Bamba, Gao and Bourem, between September 7 and 12, illustrate the cruelty of these terrorist and criminal groups in organized gangs who cowardly attack vulnerable targets such as women and children.”

Militarism: “In the current geopolitical context, Mali does not wish to become a theater of confrontation or competition of the geopolitical interests of foreign powers and we remain willing to cooperate with all partners who respect our sovereignty, our choices of partnerships and the interests of Malians.”

Militarism: “Furthermore, the Mail remains strongly opposed to any military intervention by ECOWAS with disastrous consequences for Niger and the entire region. Any military intervention in Niger, I was going to say any aggression or any invasion of this country, constitutes a direct threat to the peace and security of Mali and the region and will have serious consequences. We will not stand idly by. We remain committed to the exclusive use of dialogue, diplomacy and negotiation, with a view to a peaceful resolution of the situation in Niger.”

Militarism, military alliances: “It is essential to avoid repeating the serious mistakes of the relatively recent past. You will recall that in 2011, despite strong opposition and warnings from African leaders, the United Nations Security Council decided to authorize a NATO military intervention in Libya, the consequences of which lastingly destabilized this brother country and the entire region. This NATO war in Libya is at the origin of the expansion of terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel region with its share of innocent victims and destruction.

“This is why we will never tire of recalling this international responsibility in the human tragedy experienced by Libya and the countries of the Sahel. Also, on behalf of all the victims from 2011 to the present, tens of thousands of deaths and millions of displaced and refugees, we demand justice; we seek compensation. But above all, we ask that the international community assumes its responsibilities and learns all the lessons from this hazardous military intervention by the great powers in a third country. It is crucial to avoid reproducing, in Niger, the serious errors committed in Libya, which are precisely at the origin of the deterioration of the situation throughout the Sahel region, including in Burkina, Mali and Niger. This is essential to reestablish trust between the Nations of the world.”

Demilitarisation: “I would like to recall that the United Nations was created in 1945, essentially to protect future generations from the scourge of war. This noble objective prescribed by the Charter of the United Nations is far from being achieved. Better still, current geopolitical tensions and multiple conflicts in the world constitute real reasons for concern for multilateralism, peaceful coexistence and harmonious development. Let's take a break from the rhetoric of intimidation, threats and war. As the theme of this 78th session invites us, let us work together to “restore trust and revive global solidarity”. Let us dare to adopt reforms that make it possible to build a world where everyone counts; a world where no one is left behind. Together, let's work to establish effective, fair and inclusive international mechanisms to resolve crises and not encourage or maintain them.”

Malta
Mr. Robert Abela, Prime Minister
22 September 2023

Militarism: “Malta’s neutrality does mean that we will continue to be directly opposed to military aggression and unilateral action against members of the global community and the rules-based order. But Malta’s neutrality does not mean that we are indifferent to what happens around us. We will never be neutral when we see pain and suffering caused by an illegal invasion. In this spirit of peace, we call on Russia to withdraw its forces from the sovereign territory of Ukraine. And we urge all the nations gathered here to unite to deliver an end to the war.”

Marshall Islands
Mr. David Kabua, President
20 September 2023

Nuclear weapons: “The United States has not fulfilled its obligations to the people of the Marshall Islands resulting from the nuclear testing program. On November 25, 1947, U.S. President Harry S Truman in response to concerns about the people of Enewetak who were being removed and relocated so that the U.S. could conduct its nuclear weapons test stated: “The Enewetakese will be accorded all rights which are the normal constitutional rights of the citizens under the Constitution, but will be dealt with as wards of the United States for whom this country has special responsibilities,'' Other atolls were also affected and these obligations likewise remain unfulfilled.”

Nuclear weapons: “The Marshall Islands desires to continue its free association with the United States, but the United States must realize that the Marshallese people require that the nuclear issues be addressed.”

Nuclear energy: “The Republic of the Marshall Islands affirms the recent statement by the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers, which, regarding the release of treated water from the Fukushima power plant. With other Forum members we remain vigilant and concerned, as committed to regular and ongoing discussion with Japan as well as an annual dialogue with the IAEA.”

Mauritania
Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President
20 September 2023

Militarism: “We also support any and all solutions aimed at preserving the territorial integrity, stability and security in Libya, Yemen, and in Syria. We call for the deployment of any and all possible efforts so as to put an end to their hostilities, and to do this effectively in Sudan, and to reach a plan a comprehensive political solution in this brotherly country. Also, we stand to weigh the government of Somalia in the efforts they are making so as to attain stability in their country. We reiterate our position of principle when it comes to the conflict in Western Sahara.”

Militarism: “We would like to express our very serious concern as regards the continued war in Ukraine. We call on negotiated solution that takes into account the concerns of various parties in respect of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.”

Mauritius
Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister
22 September 2023

Cyber: “The ICT revolution has increased connections and complexities to our daily lives. The list of problems is daunting: from a lingering COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, declining biodiversity, food and energy insecurity, cyber-crime, terrorism, large scale migration, gender inequality, a general pushback against human rights, to inadequate development financing, increasing debt burdens and geopolitical crises.”

Militarism: “Amidst the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the international community must relentlessly pursue peaceful dialogue. We commend African nations and other mediators for their vital role in this regard.”

Mexico
Ms. Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2023

Nuclear weapons: “Our peoples face serious threats to international peace and security with: 50 active armed conflicts and the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the aggravation of the multiplicity of crises from humanitarian to climatic, the forced migration of millions of people, the highest increase in inequality and poverty with 165 million new poor in three years, the challenge of health and the risk of new pandemics, in a context of growing questions about the relevance of multilateralism and its institutions.”

Militarism, arms race: “In relation to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, our position is unequivocal: we condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a violation of the UN Charter and international law and because of the untold suffering of millions of people, especially boys and girls. We recognise that every sovereign state has the right to have the appropriate means to regain its territorial integrity, but it is equally true that the arms race takes us further away from a peaceful solution. We need to stop talking about war and start talking about peace.”

Nuclear weapons: “Mexico will continue its struggle in favour of disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons as accredited by the Treaty of Tlatelolco and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons essential to prevent and eradicate their catastrophic humanitarian consequences, which the General Assembly has declared intrinsically immoral and the threat of which is in itself contrary to international law.”

Small arms and light weapons: “We note with grave concern the unconscionable increase in the illicit trade in firearms. Simply put, 200,000 firearms are trafficked into our country every year, falling into the hands of organised crime and resulting in countless fatalities. Mexico assumes in good faith its international commitments to combat drug trafficking. But all efforts will be limited if the countries of manufacture and origin of trafficked weapons do not assume their responsibility for this scourge and take stronger measures to reduce the widespread availability of firearms on their territory. Manufacturers and distributors must also take responsibility and take diligent steps to prevent these weapons from being diverted to the illicit market.”

Arms trafficking: “In our region we are devastated by the situation in Haiti, a country that is drowning in the violence of criminal gangs that thrive largely on arms trafficking, despite the sanctions regime established by the Security Council in the resolution facilitated by Mexico, and we hope that once the respective resolution is adopted,the international community will act decisively to support that country in regaining its stability.”

Micronesia (Federated States of)
Mr. Wesley Simina, President
21 September 2023

No relevant references.

Republic of Moldova
Ms. Maia Sandu, President
20 September 2023

Cyber: “Russia has teamed up with corrupt crooks to destabilise us. Their hybrid toolbox includes energy blackmail, support for separatism, sponsoring mass anti-government protests, cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns. They also tried to overthrow our democratically elected government. But each time, they have failed. We know they will try again. In soon to be held elections, they will attempt to undermine our citizens’ ability to make their own, democratic choices.”

Militarism: “We are not facing an imminent military threat, unlike our Ukrainian friends and neighbours, but every day we are countering Russia’s hybrid assault.”

Monaco
Mr. Albert II, Prince
20 September 2023

Disarmament: “In this respect, I would like to emphasise the extent to which the enrichment of international law is an underestimated success of our cooperation efforts within the United Nations and to point out that, since its admission to the United Nations, the State of Monaco has become a party to some fifty international treaties covering a wide range of subjects such as human rights, disarmament, the environment and the law of the sea.”

Explosive weapons, toxic remnants of war: “As in all conflicts, fighting and bombing cause toxic substances to pollute the soil and water. Countless protected natural areas have been destroyed, and damage to essential infrastructure increases the risk of drinking water pollution and the spread of disease.”

Protection of civilians in armed conflict: “Similarly, it is inconceivable that in the 21st century, healthcare workers are regularly attacked, and healthcare infrastructures attacked in various conflict zones. I therefore call once again for the protection of these professionals and the civilian population.”

AI weapons, cyber: “Cyber attacks using AI are already targeting critical infrastructures such as hospitals and UN humanitarian aid operations. The security and arms industries are exploiting these techniques, whose potential raises ethical issues: can we let a machine decide the life or death of a human being?”

Mongolia
Mr. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, President
20 September 2023

Nuclear weapons: “It has been more than three decades since Mongolia declared its territory as nuclear-weapon-free and we have been fully supporting [the] international community’s efforts for disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.”

Weapons of mass destruction: “The rapid advancement of digital technology is unlocking new prospects for global development. Yet on the other hand, it is also reshaping the landscape of threats that jeopardize world peace and security, such as terrorist attacks, their financing, money laundering, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Therefore, in order to combat them effectively it is vital for the countries across the globe and international community to collaborate in all aspects, exchange information, and refine the international legal framework.”

Montenegro
Mr. Jakov Milatović, President
21 September 2023

Militarism: “I believe we can all agree that the ongoing geopolitical crisis represents a grave challenge to international peace and security, and an alarming indicator of the need to fully return to the provisions of the UN Charter, respect its binding character and the universality of its goals and principles – civilizational values on which the rule based world order rests.”

Military alliances: ”To better achieve our wider policy goals, we base our foreign policy on three pillars: NUMBER ONE accelerating our integration into the European Union, NUMBER TWO further strengthening the credibility of Montenegro as a NATO member, NUMBER THREE fostering the best possible relations with all our neighbors in the Balkans.”

Morocco
Mr. Omar Hilale, Chair of the Delegation
26 September 2023

No relevant references.

Mozambique
Mr. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President
19 September 2023

Disarmament, demilitarisation, and reintegration (DDR): “In June this year, we closed the last Camp of RENAMO, a formerly armed opposition Party, marking the conclusion of the Disarmament and Demobilization phase. The crucial phase that follows is the reintegration of ex. Combatants into the society including payment of pensions, although not provided for by law. I would like to express our gratitude as this process counts on the support of the United Nations and other multilateral and bilateral partners.”

Militarism: “Despite multilateral efforts and several peace initiatives at the United Nations Security Council level and Regional Organisations, war in Ukraine and other regions prevail and endanger peace, security and the global economy. My own country, Mozambique, experienced cycles of armed conflicts, sometimes triggered by forces alien to national interests.”

Militarism: “On the issue of peace and security, a number of regions of the world are grappling with vicious cycle armed conflicts and instability, particularly in Africa. Thousands of precious lives are lost. The number of refugees and internally displaced persons have increased to more than 50% in the past year alone. Despite multilateral efforts and several peace initiatives at the United Nations Security Council level and Regional Organisations, war in Ukraine and other regions prevail and endanger peace, security and the global economy. My own country, Mozambique, experienced cycles of armed conflicts, sometimes triggered by forces alien to national interests. But, the settlement has been possible only on the basis of constructive dialogue founded on trust and mutual respect.”

Namibia
Mr. Hage Geingob, President
20 September 2023

No relevant references.

Nauru
Mr. Russ Kun, President
21 September 2023

No relevant references.

Nepal
Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Prime Minister
21 September 2023

Military spending: “Today, due to the resurgence of geopolitical competition, power polarization and economic nationalism, maintenance of world peace and security, the foremost goal of the UN Charter, have come under serious strain. Spending on arms is on the rise, but resources for the realization of the 2030 Agenda have become scarce.”

Weapons of mass destruction, nuclear weapons, biological weapons, chemical weapons, military spending: “Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction continues to threaten peace and security in the world.Constant stockpiling of nuclear arsenals, growing arms race and ever-increasing military expenditure are worrisome. Nepal reiterates its call for total and time-bound disarmament of all weapons of mass destruction including biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological weapons.”

Disarmament: “As the host country to UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, Nepal believes that regional processes, including the Kathmandu Process, reinforce the global disarmament regime.”

Cyber, AI: “The void of international governance on cyberspace and artificial intelligence demands multilateral regulation. Dual use of artificial intelligence urgently calls for informed deliberations on preventing its potential misuse and strengthening of international cooperation.”

Netherlands (Kingdom of The)
Mr. Mark Rutte, Prime Minister
22 September 2023

Militarism, explosive weapons, guns: “In Europe peace has been shattered by Russian aggression… We can’t leave one country to fend for itself… I know some countries are hesitating. Asking themselves why they should get involved in someone else’s war. To them I say: it’s your war too. Because even if there’s no shooting in your towns, and your cities aren’t being bombed, this war affects everyone.”

Militarism: “Some countries feel they are supporting peace in Ukraine simply by calling for an immediate ceasefire. They think that this will help end the war… They don’t want to point the finger of blame. In the case of the war in Ukraine, there is no shared blame. There is no doubt about who the perpetrator is, and who the victim. Russia attacked Ukraine, a sovereign nation. Not the other way round. So there can be no ‘shared’ solution. Russia is the aggressor here. And it is not Ukraine’s supporters that are prolonging the war. It is Russia.”

Aotearoa New Zealand
Ms. Nanaia Mahuta, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2023

Militarism: “Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine last year was a direct attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a UN member state. But it was much more than this. To witness a permanent member of the UN Security Council launch an unprovoked attack on a sovereign state, attempting to annex its territory and waging war on its civilian population was and remains shocking. Russia’s actions violate the most fundamental tenets of international law. How can younger generations have confidence in the UN when a permanent member of the Security Council acts in a manner so fundamentally contrary to the UN Charter? The consequences of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression are stark. The suffering of Ukrainians is immense. Ukraine’s neighbours are bearing a heavy burden. Sadly we are seeing children being weaponised in this unjust war – this is wrong in every way. Aotearoa New Zealand strongly supports efforts to hold Russia to account in both the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.”

Nuclear weapons: “This war has also highlighted geostrategic tensions and heightened nuclear risks. Nuclear weapons must never be used. We must be unequivocal in our determination to reduce nuclear threats, and do so immediately. The dangers of nuclear weapons and their toxic legacy – which are visible in our own Blue Pacific region - have been with us for decades.”

Autonomous weapons, AI, outer space: “Other, newer technological developments also pose profound challenges in balancing the potential of their peaceful use with the threat of catastrophic harm if their development and military use is left unchecked. We must commit to international rules and limits on Autonomous Weapon Systems, and establish clear norms to address responsible use of other new and emerging technologies, including AI, as well as the continued peaceful use of outer space.”

Cyber: “We must also confront digital challenges, including cyber threats, and online extremism through smart coalitions in which governments work effectively with civil society and industry. This is our approach with the Christchurch Call to Action to Eliminate Terrorist and Violent Extremist Content Online. The Christchurch Call is a global multistakeholder coalition that extends beyond traditional statecraft and governmental institutions. It has successfully galvanised significant policy change, improved tech companies’ crisis readiness, and built strong, collaborative relationships across sectors.”

Nuclear weapons: “Fiercely independent, but global in our outlook, we are driven by a strong sense of our responsibility for helping to uphold key tenets of the international rules-based system – respect for state sovereignty, respect for human rights and gender equality – and for achieving progress in addressing climate change and nuclear weapons.”

Nicaragua
Mr. Denis Ronaldo Moncada Colindres, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2023

Militarism: “The People of Nicaragua salute the Peoples represented in this 78th General Assembly of the United Nations, with our heads held high, as always, because we have managed to live overcoming all the tragedies and catastrophes imposed by the history of domination, cruelty, intervention, occupation and interference in all aspects of our life, including our electoral processes, intervened in by the empires and their economic and military might, with which have tried to destroy us, to dominate us. We are living moments of the extinction of the imperialist, colonialist model, of looting and genocide whose greed has impacted Nature and our World, a World of many patrimonies, languages and steadfast Ways of Life.”

Militarism: “The New World that belongs to us all, demands respect. It demands Peace. It insists upon Peace. It demands Justice for everyone. It demands Remembrance, History, Reparation and Non-Repetition. That is why, from this podium of the 78th General Assembly, we demand that the United Nations enforce the mandate of the International Court of Justice of The Hague, which in 1986 sentenced the United States of America to indemnify Nicaragua, at least in part, the costs of the destruction, the permanent aggression, the pain and the suffering of hundreds of thousands of families, during the insane and vengeful war imposed on our Country and our People, in what was called the counterrevolution. This, of course, does not restore lives; it does not alleviate the broken hearts of so many families and individuals, but at least it rebuilds, for all Nicaraguans, the economic, social, productive, cultural infrastructure, which those responsible shattered with their grotesque intervention, but which as always, every time, was defeated by the honor, integrity and glory of Nicaragua’s Spirit, by the Grace of God.

“Nicaragua, with the dignity and heroism of our Struggles, Races, Peoples, Cultures, of Living Well demands this closure and we also join the demand of all the Peoples and countries that have spoken from this place to denounce the aggressive, interventionist, arbitrary, unjust policies, whose coercive, unilateral measures are not only illegal and illegitimate, but constitute a destabilizing, destructive warlike modality, imposing changes of governments, through coups d'état, attempts to bring about coups and acts of vandalism known these days as "color revolutions”, causing grief to so many families among so many Peoples. We stand in permanent solidarity with the Peoples and countries that experience this uncivilized barbarism, which indeed repeat the waves and echoes of the imperialist, colonialist, fascist models, which have caused the death of millions of human beings, imposing regimes of terror and deprivation, with shameful tides and unprecedented tsunamis of migration. These tragedies trace the desperation of injustice, and the neo-colonial pretense to silence, dominate and exclude, so as to continue plundering the wealth of the world’s Peoples. Entire countries have been destroyed, in this brutal scorched earth policy, which seeks to satisfy the beastly appetites of the Earth’s imperialists... Entire countries have been occupied, and their peoples sacrificed and massacred, via the same atrocious policies and actions, violating all Rights, which reinforce what we know and denounce again here, as hate crimes.”

Militarism: “Our solidarity and combative force with the heroic struggles waged by the Russian Federation, for Peace and Security, for a World that we must all defend from the growing threats of Empires, and their neo-Nazi policies, their fascist emblems and contents, which intend to return us to the unwonted perversion of expansionist and wars of domination, which have left millions of dead and families destroyed all over the world. Our support for the Russian Federation is an unwavering support and an inescapable human alliance, for Security, Dialogue and Harmony, essential, irreplaceable, for the human community.”

AI weapons: “In the face of all the advances in science, techniques and technologies, including those portentously called “Artificial Intelligence” (as if they were not the result of Human Intelligence), Nicaragua demands the full participation of the Peoples who have made possible with our blood and resources, these advances of the conquistadors. We demand what is ours, the Right to fully live this development, improving the conditions of work, study and life, by right, of our Peoples. At the same time as we propose inclusion, from Nicaragua we also propose the rational, beneficial use of these resources of humanity, which in the hands of the malevolent ones of always, constitute weapons of mass destruction against countries, Peoples and communities.”

Nuclear weapons, chemical weapons: “Life is made up of daily struggles to assert what belongs to us: A world free of wars, of chemical or nuclear weapons, of looting, ignorance, fraud, of new deceptions and brazen thefts, including the assault on our talents.”

Nigeria
Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR President
19 September 2023

Arms control: “At the same time, mercenaries and extremists with their lethal weapons and vile ideologies invade our region from the north. This harmful traffic undermines the peace and stability of an entire region. African nations will improve our economies so that our people do not risk their lives to sweep the floors and streets of other nations. We also shall devote ourselves to disbanding extremist groups on our turf. Yet, to fully corral this threat, the international community must strengthen its commitment to arrest the flow of arms and violent people into West Africa.”

Republic of North Macedonia
Mr. Stevo Pendarovski, President
22 September 2023

Militarism: “The aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine continues with an unabated ferocity, which is in flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and of the principles of international law, and this in continuity. … The Charter of this World Assembly is crystal clear in this sense - all open issues anywhere in the world must be resolved by peaceful means, with negotiations and dialogue and by renouncing the use of force.”

Nuclear weapons: “It was not by accident that recently the Secretary General warned that the risk of a nuclear disaster is today at the highest level since the end of the Cold War. This alert coming from the highest level of the Organization should be a wake up call for all reasonable political leaders, for a global mobilization to preserve peace - undoubtedly, the biggest value of humanity.”

Cyber: “Of course, the need remains to solve old problems while addressing new challenges, although some of them, like fake news and cyber threats have already become part of our lives. Some others, although newly dated, such as artificial intelligence, are already causing major changes in our lives.”

Norway
Ms. Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Minister of International Development
23 September 2023

Militarism, nuclear energy: “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is therefore of great concern to us. Let me use this opportunity to explain why. Russia is our neighbour. It is responsible for a blatant breach of the UN Charter. It has violated fundamental principles of international law. It has created a grave international crisis. A permanent member of the UN Security Council seeking to deny another UN member state’s right to exist. Launching an unprovoked and illegal war. Conducting that war in the most brutal manner, with complete disregard for human life and the rules of war. And occupying the largest nuclear power plant in Europe – thereby risking a grave nuclear incident. Norway has spoken out against this war. We have provided extensive civilian, military and humanitarian support to Ukraine – and will do so for as long as it takes.”

Demilitarisation: “We welcome renewed regional dialogue in the Middle East. Signs of de-escalation and intensified diplomatic activity among the countries in the region is very welcome. We remain committed to seeking peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians, despite concerning developments, and – in this 30th anniversary of the Oslo Accords – encourage much greater efforts towards creating a viable Palestinian state. As guarantor in Colombia, we support the peace agreement with FARC and the ongoing negotiations between the Government and the ELN.”

Oman
Mr. Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2023

Militarism: “The Palestinian cause stands at the forefront of enduring conflicts, suffering injustice for over seven decades. The Palestinian people stand resilient against the oppressive Israeli occupation, siege, and oppression, as well as violations of international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions.”

Militarism: “The ramifications surrounding the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, and its security and military escalation, as well as the painful humanitarian effects, pose a significant threat to global peace, the flow of energy and food supplies, and represent a serious challenge to international cooperation and the global system based on respect for the law and the United Nations Charter.”

Pakistan
Mr. Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Prime Minister
22 September 2023

Militarism: “Since 5 August 2019, India has deployed 900,000 troops in Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to impose the ‘Final Solution’ for Kashmir. To this end, India has imposed extended lockdowns and curfews; jailed all the genuine Kashmir leaders; violently suppressed peaceful protests; resorted to extra-judicial killings of innocent Kashmiris in fake ‘encounters’ and so-called ‘cordon and search operations’, and imposed collective punishments, destroying entire villages. Access to occupied Kashmir, demanded by the UN High Commission for Human Rights and over a dozen Special Rapporteurs, has been denied by New Delhi.”

Nuclear weapons, conventional weapons: “The UN Security Council must secure the implementation of its resolutions on Kashmir. The UN Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) should be reinforced. Global powers should convince New Delhi to accept Pakistan’s offer of mutual restraint on strategic and conventional weapons.”

Palau
Mr. Surangel S. Whipps Jr., President
19 September 2023

Militarism: “The invasion of Ukraine by Russia, although geographically distant, had a ripple effect that led to inflation of prices in Palau. This situation raises the importance of security and how destabilizing conflict can be to world order. There are Palauans today who survived a war that was not of their own making — only to suffer from the ripple effects of another. Current events serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for peace and stability worldwide. We unequivocally condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and call for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Similarly, we urge the United Nations and all parties involved in the Taiwan Straits to exercise restraint and seek a peaceful resolution to reduce tensions. The well-being and prosperity of nations and their economies are intrinsically linked to global peace and stability.”

Palestine (State of)
Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President
21 September 2023

Militarism: “As I stand before you here, the Israeli racist right-wing government continues its attacks on our people, and through its army and its racist terrorist settlers, continues to intimidate and kill our people, destroy homes and property, steal our money and resources, and detain the bodies of the martyrs.”

Militarism: “I also call on your organization and the Secretary-General to act to implement the resolutions to provide protection for the Palestinian people from the constant aggressions of the occupation army and the terrorist Israeli settlers, as well as to support our approach to the international courts and bodies with jurisdiction, because the current situation is intolerable and untenable.”

Arms trafficking: “Moreover, Israel bears full responsibility, through its control over all the crossing points and dividing lines between the occupied West Bank and its surroundings, and for the deliberate spread of weapons, drugs, and criminal killings taking place in Arab cities inside Israel, part of which is spilling over into our areas, creating a great threat to the societal security of Palestinians everywhere in our territory.”

Panama
Mr. Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, President
19 September 2023

Militarism: “The Republic of Panama, as a founding member of this organisation, reiterates its firm commitment to the search for solutions based on dialogue and mutual respect, which contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security, essential for the development and well-being of humanity.”

Papua New Guinea
Mr. John Rosso, Deputy Prime Minister
23 September 2023

Nuclear weapons, militarism: “The urgency and the need for a ‘New Agenda for Peace’, as called for by the UN Secretary-General in his ‘Our Common Agenda’ is timely and its importance for the peace and security of the world cannot be overstated. Papua New Guinea strongly supports the Secretary-General’s call. This is given the sobering and increasingly worrisome disrespect for international law, including the UN Charter by certain States, the geopolitical tensions and divide, simmering and unresolved conflicts, associated human rights violations, escalating nuclear weapons threats and mistrust between and within countries…. Never again must we repeat the horrors of the two World Wars. We are seriously concerned about moves by certain countries for the use of nuclear weapons. Such threats are unacceptable and therefore condemned in the strongest terms.”

Paraguay
Mr. Santiago Peña Palacios, President
19 September 2023

Militarism: “The 2008 crisis, the recent pandemic, and today, the conflict in Ukraine, have exposed weaknesses and limitations of multilateral institutions in their ability to address challenges with global impact and systemic risk. In the latter case, the UN and its Security Council have adopted measures whose results are sadly far from encouraging.”

Militarism: “Despite having suffered the misfortunes of two unjust wars, one of which brought us to the brink of extinction as a nation, Paraguay's spirit and history compel us to bet on dialogue, and NOT force, as a mechanism to solve any controversy, as demonstrated by the Gondra Convention of 1924, proposed by a distinguished Paraguayan and approved unanimously by all Latin American countries without a single amendment, whose purpose was precisely to avoid and prevent wars between American states. With humility, but with great conviction, we urge all parties involved in this conflict to stop military action immediately in order to avoid further casualties and damage.”

Peru
Ms. Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, President
19 September 2023

No relevant references.

Philippines
Mr. Enrique Austria Manalo, Secretary for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2023

Demilitarisation: “We advocate the peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with international law. This has always been our position with respect to the disputes in the West Philippine Sea, inasmuch as we are prepared to defend our sovereignty, sovereign rights and territorial integrity. As President Marcos Jr. has declared, we are a friend to all and enemy to none. Our Constitution renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations.”

Nuclear weapons, cyber, outer space: “During the Cold War, the Philippines shepherded the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes convinced that our world should not descend again into large-scale conflict when the possibility of nuclear catastrophe loomed. Humanity remains in a state of danger from too many destructive and disruptive weapons in existence. With thousands of nuclear warheads still present and the fissile material cut-off treaty unrealized, heightened arms races and new ways of warfare - including in the cyber and space domains - have transformed the strategic landscape in the 21st century. The rule of law must reign all the more.”

Autonomous weapons: “President Marcos Jr. at this Assembly last year called for rules and norms for the responsible use of emerging technologies. The Philippines is working with partners for rules to govern lethal autonomous weapons systems. We are hosting an Indo-Pacific meeting in December to contribute to the global conversation that is critical to the security of our future.

Outer space: “We advocate the peaceful uses of outer space, the elaboration of the principle of due regard in the space domain and greater responsibility among states to reduce space threats, including debris from rocket launches.

Weapons: “We call for UN partnerships that would guarantee that new technologies are not weaponized, or misused in any way to subvert democracy and freedom, to challenge international humanitarian law, and to exploit the vulnerable and violate human rights and human dignity.”

Poland
Mr. Andrzej Duda, President
19 September 2023

Arms trade: “These days, many states are blamed for prolonging the war as they supply necessary weapons to Ukraine in its defense war. This is a completely false logic. As if putting the blame on a neighbor who comes to aid to the people next-door defending their own home against mugger. If someone attacks your household, you have the right to defend it, and the neighbors should not stay indifferent. Ukraine would not be able to resist the aggression and effectively stand for its independence if it were not for the assistance of other countries, and primarily on the biggest scale, the United States.”

Militarism: “Today once again, it befell on us to live in dangerous times! As a result of Russia’s full-scale aggression on Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives or suffered injuries, millions were forced to flee their own home country, and hundreds of millions worldwide are facing the specter of famine, and serious economic disruptions. Russia’s brutal aggression brought immense global problems in its aftermath. It put to a test international world order.”

Militarism: “Today, in this very place, at the United Nations headquarters I wish to reiterate: those days can never return. The logic of conquest, changing borders by force, disregarding the law, and denying the Ukrainian people their right to exist must be stopped! This brutal war must end, and not be converted into a frozen war! This can only be done by restoring the full territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders!”

Portugal
Mr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President
19 September 2023

No relevant references.

Qatar
Mr. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir
19 September 2023

Nuclear weapons: “Undoubtedly, science and technology are crucial for increasing productivity and improving human life quality. But celebrating the means without responsible thinking about the ends for which they are used has led to major disasters such as using nuclear weapons, conducting dangerous experiments on humans, and the genocide in concentration camps.”

Cyber: “We reiterate the call for unifying the efforts to prevent the misuse of cyberspace and regulate this vital aspect on the basis of the rules of international law.”

Militarism: “The war in Europe drags on. Along with Russia and Ukraine, it has consumed the entire Europe, and has been affecting the whole world in vital areas such as energy and food. In the absence of a prospect for a permanent political solution, and due to the ability to keep the war raging indefinitely by major international blocs engaging directly or indirectly in the war, a long-term truce has become the most looked for aspiration by people in Europe and all over the world.”

Republic of Korea
Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol, President
20 September 2023

Nuclear energy: “Korea will not only harness renewable energy but also extensively employ high-efficiency carbon-free energy (CFE), such as nuclear power and hydrogen, as a realistic measure to hasten our pursuit of carbon neutrality. We also plan to share these energy sources with countries vulnerable to climate change, ensuring they too can benefit.”

Nuclear weapons, missiles, arms trade, ammunition: “The nuclear and missile programs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea pose not only a direct and existential threat to the peace of the Republic of Korea, but also is a serious challenge to peace in the Indo-Pacific region and across the globe. It is paradoxical that a permanent member of the UN Security Council, entrusted as the ultimate guardian of world peace, would wage war by invading another sovereign nation and receive arms and ammunition from a regime that blatantly violates UN Security Council resolutions.”

Weapons of mass destruction, conventional weapons, arms trade: “And if the DPRK acquires the information and technology necessary to enhance its WMD capabilities in exchange for supporting Russia with conventional weapons, the deal will be a direct provocation threatening the peace and security of not only Ukraine but also the Republic of Korea.”

Romania
Mr. Klaus Werner Iohannis, President
20 September 2023

No relevant references.

Russian Federation
Mr. Sergey Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2023

Nuclear weapons: “Russia, like many other countries, knows this first-hand. In 1945, when Washington, London, and I were together with Washington and the United States of America in finishing off the enemy on the fronts of the Second World War, our allies in the anti-Hitler coalition were already preparing plans for the military operation ‘The Unthinkable’ against the Soviet Union. And four years later, in 1949, the Americans developed Operation Dropshot to launch massive nuclear strikes against the USSR. These crazy plans remained on paper. The USSR created its own weapons of retaliation. Although it took the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and the brinkmanship of nuclear war for the idea of unleashing it and the illusion of winning it to cease to be the basis of US military planning.”

Military alliances: “At the end of the Cold War, the Soviet Union played a decisive role in unifying Germany and agreeing on the parameters of a new security architecture in Europe. At the same time, specific political assurances were given to the Soviet and later Russian leadership regarding the non-expansion of the NATO military bloc to the East. The relevant records of the negotiations are in our and Western archives. But these assurances of the Western leaders turned out to be nothing, they were not going to fulfil them. At the same time, Western leaders were never confused by the fact that by bringing NATO closer to Russia's borders they were flagrantly violating the official OSCE commitments made at the highest level not to strengthen their own security at the expense of the security of others and not to allow the military and political dominance in Europe of any country, group of countries or organisations.”

Militarism: “In 2021, our proposals to conclude treaties on mutual security guarantees in Europe without changing Ukraine's non-aligned status were arrogantly rejected. The West continued to systematically militarise the Russophobic Kyiv regime, which was brought to power as a result of a bloody coup d'état and used to prepare the launch of a hybrid war against our country.”

Military alliances, nuclear weapons: Unprecedented since the end of the Cold War has been a series of recent joint exercises between the United States and European NATO allies, including scenarios involving the use of nuclear weapons on the territory of the Russian Federation. The declared task of inflicting on Russia the ‘strategic defeat’ has finally blinded the eyes of irresponsible politicians obsessed with their own impunity and who have lost their elementary sense of self preservation.”

Military alliances, cyber, outer space: The Washington-led NATO countries are not only increasing and modernising their offensive capabilities, but are also trying to move the armed confrontation into space and information space. A new dangerous manifestation of NATO expansionism is the attempt to extend the bloc's area of responsibility to the entire Eastern Hemisphere under the sly slogan of ‘indivisibility of the security of the Euro-Asian and Indo-Asian Pacific region’. For this task, Washington is creating military-political mini-alliances under its control, such as AUKUS, the US-Japan-Republic of Korea Troika, the Tokyo-Seoul-Canberra-Wellington Quartet, pulling their members towards practical cooperation with NATO, which is implementing its infrastructure in the Pacific theatre. The unconcealed focus of such efforts against Russia and China, and the collapse of the inclusive regional architecture formed around ASEAN, creates risks of a new explosive hotbed of geopolitical tension, in addition to the European one, which has already been heated to the limit.”

Military alliances: “The world minority is trying its best to slow down the natural course of things. In the Vilnius Declaration of the North Atlantic Alliance the ‘growing partnership between Russia and China’ has been characterised as a ‘threat to NATO’. Speaking recently to his ambassadors abroad, President Macron expressed his sincere concern about the BRICS expansion, considering this event as evidence of "a more complex situation on the international scene, which threatens the risk of weakening the West and Europe in articular... The world order, its principles, its different forms of organisation, where the West has been and still is dominant, are being revised. These are such revelations: if someone gathers somewhere without us, makes friends without us or without our permission, it is seen as a threat to our dominance. NATO's advancement in the Asia-Pacific region is a good thing, while BRICS expansion is dangerous.”

Military alliances, militarism, nuclear weapons: “For ten years, the Libyan people have been unable to recover from the consequences of the NATO aggression, which destroyed the Libyan State and opened the floodgates for the spread of terrorism in the Sahara-Sahel region and for waves of millions of illegal migrants to Europe and other parts of the world. Analysts note: as soon as Gaddafi abandoned his military nuclear programme, he was destroyed. In doing so, the West laid down the most dangerous risks for the entire nuclear non-proliferation regime.”

Militarism: “The escalation of military hysteria by Washington and its Asian allies on the Korean peninsula, where US strategic capabilities are accumulating, is alarming. Russian-Chinese initiatives to prioritise humanitarian and political tasks are being rejected. The tragic development of the situation in the Sudan is nothing but another consequence of the West's failed experiments in exporting liberal democratic dogma to that country. We support constructive initiatives aimed at an early settlement of the intra-Sudanese conflict, first and foremost by facilitating direct dialogue between the warring parties. Observing the West's nervous attitude to recent events in Africa, particularly in Niger and Gabon, it is impossible not to recall how Washington and Brussels reacted to the bloody coup d'état in Ukraine in February 2014. - One day after a settlement agreement was reached under EU guarantees, which the opposition simply trampled. The U.S. and its allies supported that coup d'état, hailing it as a ‘manifestation of democracy.’”

Military alliances: “The continuing degradation of the situation in the Serbian province of Kosovo cannot but cause concern. The supply of weapons to the Kosovars and NATO's assistance to them in building an army flagrantly violate the fundamental resolution 1244 of the United Nations Security Council. The whole world sees the sad history of the Minsk agreements on Ukraine repeating itself in the Balkans, which provided for a special status for the Donbas republics and which Kyiv openly sabotaged with the support of the West. And now the European Union does not want to force its own Kosovo protégés to honour the 2013 agreements between Belgrade and Pristina to create a Community of Kosovo Serb Municipalities with special rights to its language and traditions. In both cases, the EU acted as a guarantor of the agreements, and it appears that their fate is the same. What the "sponsor" is, so is the result. Brussels is now imposing its own "mediating" Azerbaijan and Armenia, bringing destabilisation to the South Caucasus together with Washington.”

Military spending: “A vivid illustration of the ‘rules’ by which the West wants to make the whole world live is the fate of the commitments it made back in 2009 to provide developing countries with $100 billion annually to finance climate change adaptation programmes. Compare the fate of these unfulfilled promises with the sums that the US, NATO and the EU have spent on supporting the racist regime in Kiev - estimated at up to $170bn since February 2022 - and you will understand the attitude towards Themselves ‘enlightened Western democracies’ with their notorious ‘values’.”

Military alliances: “It is time to consider fairer methods of forming the UN Secretariat. The criteria that have been in place for many years do not reflect the real weight of states in world affairs and artificially ensure the prohibitive dominance of citizens of NATO and EU countries. These imbalances are further deepened by the system of permanent contracts that bind their holders to the position of the host countries of the headquarters of international organisations, the vast majority of which are located in capitals that pursue Western policies.”

Rwanda
Mr. Paul Kagame, President
20 September 2023

Militarism: “However, we must not only cool down on climate. We must also cool down on conflict. Today, there is no sign of ongoing conflicts ending anytime soon. We do not even see hope, from those with the most influence, that an end is in sight. Innocent lives are left alone to carry the burden of this instability. That is a profound injustice.”