UNGA Disarmament Index 2017: S–Z

This is an index of all references made to issues of disarmament and arms control made during the 72nd General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly from 19–25 September 2017. 

A-G | H-R | S-Z 

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

Saint Kitts and Nevis
H.E. Mr. Mark Anthony Brantley, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2017

Military spending, nuclear weapons: "Regrettably, Mr. President, while in some countries their citizens are forced to engage in a daily struggle for survival braving the scorching sun and bitter cold to labour for less than US$1 per day, other countries are expending billions of dollars on developing weapons of war and mass destruction. Whilst some governments are allocating large sums to secure a future for their women and youth, others are investing in the tools of war. Whilst the budgets alone of some Governments will be inadequate to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, others are using multiple times these budgets on developing nuclear warheads."

Nuclear weapons/DPRK: "My delegation condemns unreservedly the actions, which have led to heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula and calls on all countries to respect and honour their solemn commitments under international law. We condemn all actions that encourage violence and disrupt peace. There can be no place in today's world for war and violence. We therefore join the international community in demanding diplomacy and dialogue instead of sabre rattling and war mongering."

Saint Lucia
H.E. Mr. Allen M. Chastenet, Prime Minister
22 September 2017

No relevant references.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
H.E. Mr. Louis Straker, Deputy Prime Minister
22 September 2017

Nuclear weapons/DPRK: "Similarly, the potential threats to international peace and security posed by tensions on the Korean peninsula ... require persistent and prioritised diplomacy."

Militarism: "Sovereignty is not a sword, but a shield. The United Nations is not a forum for measuring whose sovereignty is bigger, or whose military is better equipped to pursue their narrow, short-term, self-interest. We are a community founded instead on the assumption of sovereign equality of all states; rich and poor, large and small. One nation's ability to destroy another does not imbue it with special rights, but rather profound responsibilities, chief among those being restraint. President Roosevelt's realpolitik adage of speaking softly while carrying a big stick -whatever its limitations - cannot be replaced with irresponsibly bellicose sabre-rattling that inches us closer to the types of conflict that this Assembly was created to prevent."

Samoa
H.E. Mr. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister
21 September 2017

Nuclear weapons: "We cannot help but watch with trepidation and uneasiness the global dynamics nudging our world perilously close to a potential catastrophe of unimaginable proportions. As small island Pacific countries, we are no longer protected by our isolation - we are bystanders but with the greatest to lose in the unfolding power drama being played out in the Korean Peninsula. We pray for visionary leadership with sound moral judgment on both sides to ensure we give 'peace a chance'.

"It explains why I signed yesterday on Samoa's behalf the "Treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons". As a signatory to this historic treaty, we wanted to demonstrate unequivocally our aspiration to have a world without nuclear weapons. The conventional narrative that the possession of nuclear weapons will act as deterrent to make the world a safer place to live, is not borne out by the current realities - otherwise the developments in the Korean peninsula would not have happened at all. We firmly believe that possessing nuclear weapons and adding new nuclear powers only make our world less safe, less secure and less peaceful - hence the need to rid our world completely of all nuclear weapons. No matter the noble goal for having such arsenals, availing them to the wrong and unprincipled hands is a recipe for doom and mayhem, as people, after all, are human and mere mortals.

"But all is not lost. The adoption of the ... first ever Treaty banning nuclear weapons ... are all positive developments moving forward."

San Marino
H.E. Mr. Nicola Renzi Minister for Foreign Affairs
22 September 2017

Nuclear disarmament/North Korea: The disarmament activity plays a cruciaI role for peace and international security. The recent tests carried out by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the context of a program to build nuclear weapons threaten security not only regionally, but also globally and stress the need for a robust disarmament and non-proliferation policy.”

Nuclear weapons: “The Republic of San Marino took part in the negotiations that led to the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons last July. The Treaty is an important step to achieve the common goal of a world without nuclear weapons.”

São Tomé and Príncipe
H.E. Mr. Evaristo do Espirito Santo Carvalho, President
21 September 2017

Nuclear weapons/DPRK: "Therefore we call for dialogue, emphasizing the central mediating role of our Organization, to cease the tensions on the Korean Peninsula."

Explosive weapons in populated areas: "It is also necessary for weapons to cease in Syria, where people live permanently under the threat of bombs that have destroyed the country and torn its social fabric, while claiming so many innocent lives."

Saudi Arabia
H.E. Mr. Adel Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Foreign Minister
23 September 2017

Weapons of mass destruction/nuclear weapons: "The government of my country due to its keenness to realize the goals of the United Nations Charter to preserve world peace for all people, it was and is still in the forefront of countries supporting making the Middle East a region without nuclear weapons, and all weapons of mass destructions."

Senegal
H.E. Mr. Macky Sall President
20 September 2017

No relevant references.

Serbia
H.E. Mr. Aleksandar Vučić, President
21 September 2017

No relevant references.

Seychelles
H.E. Mr. Danny Faure, President
21 September 2017

No relevant references.

Sierra Leone
H.E. Mr. Danny Faure, President
22 September 2017

No relevant references.

Singapore
H.E. Mr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2017

Slovakia
H.E. Mr. Andrej Kiska, President
19 September 2017

Nuclear weapons/DPRK: “North Korea openly threatens our world with nuclear weapons. Such a grave disrespect to human life cannot be tolerated. I strongly call on the North Korean regime to terminate its development of weapons of mass destruction and to return on the path of dialogue and building peace in the Korean Peninsula.”

Chemical weapons: “Recent findings about the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime in Syria against its own citizens have to alarm all of us as much as the atrocities in Rakka, in Mosul and many other places in the world.”

Slovenia
H.E. Mr. Miro Cerar, Prime Minister
21 September 2017

Nuclear weapons, WMD: "As a strong supporter of non-proliferation and disarmament in the field of weapons of mass destruction, SIovenia is committed to treaty-based nuclear disarmament and arms control. We are of firm belief that we have to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons progressively through the full implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). In this regard we strongly condemn the DPRK's violations of Security Council resolutions and of its international commitments. They pose a serious threat to peace and security in the region-and-wider."

Solomon Islands
Hon. Manasseh Damukana Sogavare, MP Prime Minister
22 September 2017

Nuclear disarmament/DPRK: “But today, we refuse to remain silent and it is on this note that I would like to register our strongest condemnation of the actions by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. We too would like to echo the global call on DPRK to abide by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions. The recent testing of ballistic missiles by DPRK over the Pacific Ocean is an insult to the people of the Pacific.”

Somalia
H.E. Mr. Hassan Ali Khayre, Prime Minister 
22 September 2017

Arms embargoes: “To ensure the sustainability of such gains, we are focused on strengthening the military capacity of our national security forces. However, the arms embargo imposed against Somalia is a severe limitation towards this objective. The Federal Government of Somalia will continue to work with the Security Council and relevant actors on our roadmap towards lifting the arms embargo.”

South Africa
H.E. Jacob Zuma, President
20 September 2017

Arms trafficking: “The war in Libya contributed a great deal to the destabilisation of the SAHEL region and all the way to Central Africa, creating a corridor for illicit trafficking in arms as well as terrorist activities. In fact, had our warning been heeded that the supply of arms to civilians in Libya and the arming of civilians in Syria would cause loss of life, great instability and mayhem, the world would be more peaceful today.”

Nuclear weapons: “As a country that voluntarily dismantled its nuclear weapons programme, South Africa is of the firm view that there are no safe hands for Weapons of Mass Destruction.

“The only viable solution to the problems of nuclear weapons is their total elimination as expressed in the recently UN adopted Treaty banning Nuclear Weapons. It can no longer be acceptable that some few countries keep arsenals and stockpiles of nuclear weapons as part of their strategic defence and security doctrine, while expecting others to remain at their mercy. We are concerned that any possible accidental detonation would lead to a disaster of epic proportions. We are making a clarion call to all Member States of the UN to sign and ratify the Ban Treaty in order to rid the World and humanity of these lethal Weapons of Mass Destruction. We reaffirm, at the same time, the inalienable rights of states to peaceful uses of nuclear energy as reinforced in the Non Proliferation Treaty.”

South Sudan
H.E. Mr. Taban Deng Gai, First Vice President
23 September 2017

Disarmament and demilitarism: "With support from friendly partners, the government has embarked on implementing key aspects of the Transitional Security Arrangements such as the Security Sector Reform, Cantonment of forces and training of Joint Integrated Police (JIP) in an effort to demilitarise our communities. We hope that the recently graduated JIP for Juba will be an example, that can be emulated in other security sector institutions especially through the overhaul and restructuring of the SPLA into a professional National Army."

"It is against this background that the TGONU, with the support of religious leaders, UNMISS, UNDP and other partners, is engaging in grassroots "people to people" peace by way of investing in improving the economic activities between communities like building markets, rehabilitating schools, constructing fishing storage facilities and peaceful disarmament of armed communities have improved relations between warring communities, host communities and IDP."

Spain
H.E. Mr. Alfonso María Dastis Quecedo, Minister for Foreign Affairs
21 September 2017

Non-proliferation: "Spain undertook our 2015-2016 term on the Security Council with a sense of responsibility. We made significant contributions in the fields of non-proliferation, the fight against terrorism and support for its victims, preventive diplomacy, the humanitarian agenda and also to increasing the Council's transparency."

Nuclear weapons/Iran: "We trust that rigorous compliance with the agreement with Iran will contribute to nuclear non-proliferation and peace in the region."

Nuclear weapons/DPRK: "The nuclear and ballistic proliferation programmes of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea have become one of the principal threats to international peace. North Korea's renewal of nuclear and ballistic testing in January 2016 was in flagrant defiance of Council Resolutions, and severely undermines the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, to which Spain is fully committed. Spain once again reaffirms its call to the North Korean authorities to turn from a path that inevitably leads to the political and economic isolation of that country, and to sincerely embark on a way forward through substantive negotiations for a complete , irreversible, and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

Suriname
H.E. Mrs. Yldiz Pollack-Beighle, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2017

Nuclear weapons/DPRK: "Suriname is deeply concerned about the current developments in the Korean Peninsula. We believe that the interests of the Korean people must remain paramount in whatever configuration for a sustainable solution. First and foremost, the Korean people must be given guarantees that the use of violence can never be a solution for the problem. Whether this originates in North Korea or elsewhere, the only remaining road to a sustainable solution will be dialogue and negotiations for the dignity and well-being of the Korean people in their struggle for peace and development."

Nuclear weapons: "The example of South America and the Caribbean in remaining a Nuclear Free Zone, could well serve as a mode l to be followed. The absence of nuclear weapons creates an environment conducive to dialogue and meaningful negotiations."

Swaziland
H.E. Mr. King Msweti III, Head of State
20 September 2017

No relevant references.

Sweden
H.E. Ms. Margot Wallström, Minister of Foreign Affairs
22 September 2017

Nuclear disarmament/DRPK: "Perhaps the greatest threat to international peace and security is the unacceptable and repeated provocations by the DPRK in pursuit of a nuclear weapons programme. We call upon the DPRK to cease further testing, fulfil its international obligations, and turn to a path of sincere dialogue on de-nuclearization. All states must implement the measures decided upon by a united Security Council. Sanctions must be combined with political efforts to pave the way for a peaceful solution. We welcome the Secretary-General’s pledge to make his good offices available to this end."

Switzerland
H.E. Mrs. Doris Leuthard, President
19 September 2017

Nuclear weapons: "Switzerland is actively involved in efforts to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons–the use of which would have disastrous humanitarian consequences–and to eliminate them completely. It firmly believes that a solution to the issue of nuclear weapons and security on the Korean peninsula can only be found through negotiations and a diplomatic process."

Syrian Arab Republic
H.E. Mr. Walid Al-Moualem, Deputy Prime Minister
23 September 2017

Arms trade: "Israel has provided all forms of support to Takfirist terrorist gangs, including funds, weapons, materiel, and communication equipment. Israel has also bombed Syrian Army positions to serve terrorist agendas."

Chemical weapons: "For more than six years, states and parties that were behind the war on Syria, have continued to peddle lies and falsely accused the Syrian government of using chemical weapons. despite a confirmation by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons that Syria has fully eliminated its chemical program. This is enough proof that there is an ill-conceived intention to tarnish the real image of the Syrian government in the international public eye, and come up with new excuses to continue the aggression against Syria in favor of terrorists and their supporters. This was the case when the United States blatantly attacked the Shayrat airbase, claiming that it contained chemical weapons used in the alleged Khan Shaykhun attack. And as was the case alter every accusation of this kind, we confirmed our readiness to receive and cooperate with UN investigation teams.

Explosive weapons, white phosphorus: "Certain countries have boasted about fighting terrorism in Syria and having the interests of Syrians at heart. They have established 'coalitions' and held dozens of conferences under deceiving titles, such as 'friends of the Syrian people'. It is quite ironic that those are the same countries that are shedding the blood of thousands of Syrians by supporting terrorists, bombing innocent civilians, and destroying their livelihoods. The so-called 'International Coalition' led by the US, which was created three years ago to allegedly fight terrorist groups such as ISIL, has killed much more innocent Syrians, mostly women and children, than terrorists and has destroyed vital infrastructure that Syrians have worked for years to build. It has also used phosphorus bombs and other internationally-prohibited weapons before the eyes of the whole world."

Tajikistan
H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon, President
19 September 2017

Tanzania (United Republic of)
H.E. Mr. Augustine Phillip Mahiga, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
23 September 2017

Nuclear weapons: "Mr. President, after the end of the cold war, there were new dawn and bright prospects for both conventional and nuclear disarmament. The doctrine of nuclear deterrence was becoming absolute, reduction of nuclear arsenals was making progress towards a nuclear ban treaty including nuclear testing and some aspirants for nuclear weapons abandoned their ambitions. However, the recent developments in the DPRK have shattered these optimistic prospects. The world is being dragged back to nuclear brinkmanship. This is the most recent threat to international peace and security. Tanzania supports all the relevant resolutions of the Security Council on the nuclear weapons trends in the DPRK, calls for de-escalation of the political warfare and the renewal of the dialogue under the auspices of the six parties initiative.

"On the other hand, Tanzania commends the recent adoption of the Nuclear Ban Treaty which puts nuclear weapons in the same legal ground as other Weapons of Mass Destruction. We should all support this Treaty in order to increase our moral authority in the fight against nuclear weapons proliferation."

Thailand
H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister for Foreign Affairs
22 September 2017

Nuclear weapons: “[A] grave concern is the nuclear threat which is looming over us and feels more real now than ever before. It is at times like these that humanity is being truly tested.Two days ago Thailand signed and deposited our instrument of ratification to the Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty. We are proud to be among the first countries to do so. We wish to call on others to do the same. By doing so, we are sending out our message to our children and grandchildren that we do care.”

Nuclear disarmament/DPRK: “Thailand shares the international community's grave concern over the situation in the Korean Peninsula, and the recent nuclear and missile tests by the DPRK. We encourage all parties to find a peaceful solution, along with full implementation of UNSC Resolutions.”

Timor-Leste
H.E. Mrs. Maria Helena Pires, Chair of the Delegation
25 September 2017

Nuclear disarmament/DPRK: “At this time, the world is facing two large threats to international peace: the hotbeds of war in the Middle East and the nuclearisation and escalation of tensions in the Korean Peninsula. My country calls on all parties involved, in both regions, to show utmost restraint, as to avoid measures and initiatives that would aggravate the situation. Timor-Leste calls on all parties to fully respect international conventions and the applicable resolutions of the Security Council. I specifically call for dialogue and negotiation to help dissipate tensions and promote the peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Korean Peninsula.”

Nuclear disarmament/Iran: “I welcome the International Atomic Energy Agency's recent findings about the absence of signs of non-compliance with the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Pian of Action signed by the Permanent Five Plus One2 and Iran. This negotiation and the compliance with this plan demonstrate the importance of dialogue for stability and the de-escalation of tensions.”

Nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation: “Timor-Leste is in favour of non-proliferation and of negotiated nuclear disarmament. I call on the signatory countries of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to continue their joint efforts towards disarmament and non-proliferation, in preparation for the review of the treaty scheduled for 2020, to strengthen the non-proliferation regime.”

Togo
H.E. Mr. Selom Komi Klassou, Prime Minister
21 September 2017

No relevant references.

Tonga
H.M. King Tupou Vi, Head of State 
22 September 2017

Disarmament/DPRK: “We appeal for a speedy resolution to the current tensions in the Korean Peninsula that is affecting Global Peace and Security."

Trinidad and Tobago
H.E. Mr. Dennis Moses, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2017

Nuclear weapons: "Trinidad and Tobago was among the 122 States which voted in favour of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons which was adopted on 7 July 2017. This Treaty is particularly significant as it is the first multilateral legally binding instrument for nuclear disarmament to have been negotiated in 20 years. We look forward to the convening of the high-level conference on nuclear disarmament by 2018.

"As a small island developing state, Trinidad and Tobago actively participated in the negotiations to prohibit nuclear weapons, acutely aware of the destructive force of these weapons of mass destruction to, inter alia, human life, the environment, food security, infrastructure and economic growth.

Small arms and light weapons, arms trade: "In view of the continued prevalence and negative effects of illegal small arms and light weapons, including the issue of curbing such weapons and its ammunition, Trinidad and Tobago has undertaken leading roles in a number of United Nations initiatives such as the Arms Trade Treaty.

"The proliferation of small arms and light weapons has contributed significantly to violence and instability in our region. The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) remains a key priority for Trinidad and Tobago as it seeks to regulate the illegal transfer of small arms and light weapons and ammunition."

Tunisia
H.E. Mr. Khemaies Jhinaoui, Minister of Foreign Affairs
22 September 2017

Weapons of Mass Destruction: "The magnitude of the issues and challenges we are facing due to the exacerbating hotbeds of tension and struggle and combating extremism and terrorism  and limiting the spread of weapons of mass destruction and supporting human rights and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, points out to the centrality of the United Nations in finding innovative solutions for these issues."

Turkey
H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President
19 September 2017

Nuclear weapons: I would also like to underline that we are against all sorts of nuclear weapons which have come to increasingly occupy the world agenda in recent days. It's obvious that we could not overcome such problems unless we completely cleanse the world from the scourge of nuclear weapons."

Turkmenistan
Mrs. Aksoltan Ataeva, Permanent Representative to the UN
25 September 2017

No relevant references.

Tuvalu
H.E. Mr. Enele Sosene Sopoaga, Prime Minister
21 September 2017

Nuclear weapons/DPRK: "We are particularly concerned with the threat to global peace and security posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. We acknowledge the persistent efforts of the Security Council to de-escalate tensions. A renewed engagement with inclusive diplomatic dialogue is, in our view, the only option to solve the crisis on the Korean Peninsula. We believe that a military response will lead to unimaginable destruction and loss of lives. History has taught us the mistakes of the past that we must not repeat."

Nuclear weapons: "Just yesterday, with pride on behalf of Tuvalu, I signed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as a further commitment to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, which was negotiated and drafted in the 1984 Pacific Island Leaders Forum held in Tuvalu. It is our fervent hope that nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, including the trade of materials and development of technologies to produce such weapons, are totally banned and prohibited worldwide by the UN. Humanity must be advanced not on the principles of fear and deterrence, not on the adage of might is right, rather on moral justice for human equity, trust, respect, and the enjoyment of basic human rights."

Uganda
H.E. Mr. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President
19 September 2017

Nuclear weapons/DPRK: "On the dangerous situation on the Korean Peninsula, where very dangerous instruments of mass extermination are paraded around by the two contending sides, I have one question. Who woutd lose if North Kore and South Korea, those kith and kin, were left alone to discuss their re-unification? The Korean nation came into existence ever since 1234AD.... On the small issue of enforcing sanctions against North Korea, Uganda is in compliance. We do not have to trade with North Korea. We are, however, grateful that, in the past, the North Koreans helped us to build our tank forces."

Ukraine
H.E. Mr.Petro Poroshenko, President
20 September 2017

Nuclear disarmament/DPRK: “In the name of peace and in exchange for security assurances, Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal – third largest in the world. Twenty years after Ukraine was invaded by one of those who vowed to respect and (if necessary) to protect Ukraine’s borders. Yet, we remain resolute advocates of global non-proliferation and disarmament. That’s why we strongly condemn nuclear tests and multiple launches of ballistic missiles by the North Korea. We are deeply concerned about the continuous diversion of the resources from critical human needs to feeding Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal, coupled with serious human rights abuses. We resolutely stand for reinforced measures to stop Pyongyang’s illegal activities and bring the North Korea in line with the international legal framework.

“At the same time, let me reiterate Ukraine’s call upon the UN Security Council to undertake in-depth investigation into the development of the North Korean nuclear and missile programmes, in order to expose any possible foreign assistance to Pyongyang in this area.”

United Arab Emirates
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Minister for Foreign Affairs
22 September 2017

Nuclear disarmament/Iran: “Two years have passed since Iran's nuclear agreement, with no sign of change in its hostile behavior in the region or any desire to abandon its nuclear ambitions. Instead, Iran continues to develop and conduct more ballistic missile tests in a deliberate violation of the spirit of the nuclear agreement. Therefore, we support enhancing controls on Iran's nuclear program and continued assessment of the agreement and its provisions.”

Nuclear disarmament/DPRK: “We view the similarly provocative behavior of North Korea, through its continued development of its nuclear program and ballistic missiles, as a part of the destructive efforts of these states to pursue their nuclear ambitions and threaten global security and stability.”

United Kingdom
H.E. Ms. Theresa May, Prime Minister
20 September 2017

Chemical weapons/Nuclear weapons: “The unforgivable use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime against its own people and perhaps foremost in our minds today the outrageous proliferation of nuclear weapons by North Korea and a threat to use them.”

Chemical weapons: “But in recent weeks, the UN has also confirmed what we all new, namely that the Syrian regime has used chemical weapons on its own people.”

Nuclear weapons/DPRK: “But despite these efforts, DPRK continues to defy and provoke the international community and threaten its neighbours.”

Non-proliferation: “And it is this rules-based system which we have developed, including the institutions, the international frameworks of free and fair trade, agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord and laws and conventions like the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which enables the global cooperation through which we can protect those values.”

Militarism: “We will use our military to support peacekeeping and our diplomats will continue to work to tackle conflict and support peace building.”

United States of America
H.E. Mr. Donald J. Drumph, President
19 September 2017

Militarism: "And it has just been announced that we will be spending almost $700 billion on our military and defense. Our military will soon be the strongest it has ever been."

Nuclear weapons/DPRK: "If this is not twisted enough, now North Korea's reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles threatens the entire world with unthinkable loss of human life. It is an outrage that some nations would not only trade with such a regime, but would arm, supply, and financially support a country that imperils the world with nuclear conflict. No nation on earth has an interest in seeing this band of criminals arm itself with nuclear weapons and missiles. The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea. Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime. The United States is ready, willing and able, but hopefully this will not be necessary. That’s what the United Nations is all about; that’s what the United Nations is for. Let’s see how they do.

"It is time for North Korea to realize that the denuclearization is its only acceptable future. The United Nations Security Council recently held two unanimous 15-0 votes adopting hard-hitting resolutions against North Korea, and I want to thank China and Russia for joining the vote to impose sanctions, along with all of the other members of the Security Council. Thank you to all involved. But we must do much more. It is time for all nations to work together to isolate the Kim regime until it ceases its hostile behavior."

Nuclear weapons/Iran: "We cannot let a murderous regime continue these destabilizing activities while building dangerous missiles, and we cannot abide by an agreement if it provides cover for the eventual construction of a nuclear program. The Iran Deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into. Frankly, that deal is an embarrassment to the United States, and I don’t think you’ve heard the last of it -- believe me."

Chemical weapons: The actions of the criminal regime of Bashar al-Assad, including the use of chemical weapons against his own citizens -- even innocent children -- shock the conscience of every decent person. No society can be safe if banned chemical weapons are allowed to spread. That is why the United States carried out a missile strike on the airbase that launched the attack."

Uruguay
H.E. Mr. Rodolfo Nin Novoa, Minister for Foreign Affairs
25 September 2017

Armed conflict: “Today, millions of people are directly affected as a result of violence and armed conflict. Hundreds of thousands of dead, wounded and millions of displaced and refugees have been forced to flee their homes, risking their lives, in search of peace.”

Arms Trade Treaty: “Control of the international arms trade is an urgent necessity, considering that trafficking and arms trade to warring parties in conflicts directly contribute to the suffering and massacre of civilians. For this reason, the ratification and adherence to international instruments intended to protect civilians, such as the historic Arms Trade Treaty, would greatly contribute to this end.”

Military spending: “According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), 74% of the total volume of arms exports in the period 2011-2015 was carried out precisely by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Similarly, world military spending in 2016 was $ 1.69 trillion, higher than in 2015. It should be questioned how many needs could have been met had a portion of that spending been redirected to the economic and social development of countries.”

Nuclear weapons: “It is concerning that the possession of nuclear weapons and the delay of the possessing States in disarming also endanger and threaten the world's stability and the security of humanity. We cannot fail to mention the devastating consequences - for the people and for the planet - that would detonate a nuclear weapon.

“The use and threat of use of nuclear weapons constitutes a crime against humanity and a serious violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, as well as the Charter of the United Nations.

“The only guarantee against the use and threat of use of these weapons is their express prohibition and total elimination. Far from abandoning their weapons programs, however, the nuclear powers continue to improve and actively modernize their nuclear arsenals. Data from specialized organizations indicate that nine countries have more than 17,000 nuclear weapons, of which approximately 2,000 are on high alert, ready to be launched within minutes, after a warning.

“Uruguay welcomes the success of the United Nations Conference which negotiated a binding instrument to ban and bring about nuclear weapons, which concluded with the adoption of the historic Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons recently opened to the United Nations, which Uruguay has just signed.”

Uzbekistan
H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President
19 September 2017

No relevant references.

Viet Nam
H.E. Mr. Phạm Bình Minh, Deputy Prime Minister
22 September 2017

Weapons of mass destruction: “Terrorism and weapons of mass destruction have gone global and been threats to all. Efforts for disarmament, arms control, non-proliferation have not progressed as expected. The worst migration and humanitarian crisis since World War II continues to unfold.”

Nuclear disarmament/DPRK: “We need to take concrete actions, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter, to prevent conflicts, build confidence and peacefully settle conflicts and disputes, including those in the Middle East, Africa and call for denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.”

Nuclear Weapons: “We welcome the recent adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, a historic milestone towards a world free of nuclear weapons. Today, I sign this Treaty and call upon others to sign and ratify the Treaty to enable its early entry into force. Let us all be clear. The danger of nuclear weapons still looms over mankind as long as they exist.”

Vanuatu
H.E. Mr. Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas, Prime Minister
21 September 2017

Nuclear weapons: "My Government reaffirms its commitment to the denuclearisation of the Pacific and we welcome the treaty adopted by the Conference for the negotiation of a legally binding instrument for the prohibition of nuclear weapons. Vanuatu reaffirms its commitment to a total nuclear disarmament."

Venezuela
H.E. Mr. Jorge Arreaza Montserrat, Minister for Foreign Affairs
25 September 2017

Nuclear disarmament: “Venezuela is strongly opposed to the existence of nuclear weapons in our planet. Its possession leads to unjustifiable and unimaginable risks. Therefore, we have signed the Treaty of Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. We must make a supreme effort, so that the nuclear crises are de-escalated and disappear (hopefully with their weapons) through dialogue and humanistic rationality.”

Nuclear weapons/weapons of mass destruction: “[The United States] is the only country that has dared to use nuclear weapons against another people, generating hundreds of thousands of deaths. A country that, in violation of the essential institutional the United Nations, led the Iraq invasion in 2003, under the search for weapons of mass destruction, which they have never despite the more than a million deaths.”

Yemen
H.E. Mr. Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi Mansour, President
21 September 2017

Arms trade: "We have seized shipments carrying arms and militias of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and they have supplied these militias with long-range missiles and they are supporting them to remain a source of threat to our country and the entire world."

Zambia
H.E. Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President
19 September 2017

Nuclear weapons: "There is need to develop innovative approaches and responses to these challenges which include terrorism, climate change, nuclear weapons, HIV/AIDS, and many more."

“Zambia is gratified by the signing of the nuclear weapons ban treaty recently signed in July 2017. We congratulate all those who worked so hard to achieve this result, and we look forward to witnessing its coming into effect. It is however saddening that within the same timeframe, the world has witnessed an escalation in the threat of nuclear war. Recent events in the Korean peninsula are therefore a source of concern to Zambia. I once again, call upon all concerned nations to de-escalate the tensions and to commit to a path of peace. It is Zambia's longstanding position that nuclear weapons are not a source of security but rather, the opposite is true.”

Zimbabwe
H.E. Mr. Robert Gabriel Mugabe, President
21 September 2017

Militarism: "It is axiomatic that we harvest what we sow. Yet, by some strange logic, we expect to reap peace when we invest and expend so much, in treasure and technology, in war.

"According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, global military expenditure in 2016 amounted to approximately 1.6 Trillion dollars. In the same year, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Overseas Development Assistance amounted to approximately 142.6 billion dollars.

"Those mega investments in ever more lethal weapons and more sophisticated war machinery have not resulted in greater peace or security. Instead, we have witnessed heart rending suffering and misery and increased mass movements of people fleeing wars and armed conflicts. This trend, Mr. President, should be halted, for the benefit of humanity."