UNGA Disarmament Index 2020: S-Z

This is an index of all references made to issues of disarmament and arms control made during the 75th General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly from 22 September - 30 September 2020.

A-G | H-R | S-Z

Saint Kitts and Nevis
H.E. Timothy Harris, Prime Minister, Minister for Sustainable Development, National Security, People Empowerment and Constituency Empowerment
26 September 2020

No relevant references.

Saint Lucia
H.E. Allen Michael Chastanet, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Growth, Job Creation, External Affairs and the Public Service
26 September 2020

No relevant references.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
H.E. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister, Minister for Finance, the Public Service, National Security, Legal Affairs and Grenadines Affairs
26 September 2020

Militarism: “The complex challenges of the 21st Century will not be solved by military means or by a quest for hegemony. While those who sell weapons have been traditionally positioned to broker peace, we cannot expect to use outdated tools to address effectively contemporary exingencies.”

Samoa
H.E. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
26 September 2020

Nuclear weapons/WMD: “We want a future with peaceful societies, free from conflict and nuclear weapons.”

“The UN has made notable achievements in its peace and security agenda, but much work still needs to be done. COVID19 is contributing to increased volatility and instability in some situations. Growing inequality, poverty, armed conflicts, terrorism and insecurity still exist. People fleeing their homes in search of refuge and safety are becoming the new normal. And the threat of use of nuclear weapons is still present. We condemn international terrorism unreservedly. Through our membership to disarmament and non-proliferation conventions, we continue to urge for a world without weapons of mass destruction, including the total elimination of nuclear weapons.”

San Marino
H.E. Mr. Luca Beccari, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Economic Cooperation and Telecommunications
29 September 2020

Ceasefire: “The Republic of San Marino supported the UN Secretary-General's call for a global cease-fire, issued on 23 March, which urges warring parties in all corners of the world to pull back from hostilities.”

Armed Conflict: “Being part of the Group of Friends of Children and Armed Conflict, San Marino welcomed the positive results in our common cause of ending and preventing grave violations against children in armed conflict. In this regard, I would like to thank Virginia Gamba and her staff, who, with great dedication, have finalized a terrific number of action plans and commitments also in the last year. But despite the successful results, we have to recognize that great concerns remain. The number of verified violations against children is still very worrying and education, which should be one of our priorities, is still under attack. We are particularly worried about the impact of the COVID-19 on vulnerable groups such as children in armed conflicts.”

São Tomé and Príncipe
H.E. Evaristo do Espírito Santo Carvalho, President
24 September 2020

Armed conflict: “We must not lose sight of the unceasing struggle against poverty. In our view, this is the greatest scourge on humanity, and that it is the main cause of famine, soil degradation, unbridled exploitation of natural resources, armed conflicts, population displacements, South-North migratory flows and its continuing toll in human lives.”

Saudi Arabia
King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, President of the Council of Ministers
23 September 2020

WMD/ICBM/Armed Drones: “The Iranian regime also continues, through its surrogates, to target the Kingdom, launching, to date, over 300 ballistic missiles and more than 400 armed drones (UAVs) in a stark violation to UNSC resolutions 2216 and 2231. Our experience with the Iranian regime has taught us that partial solutions and appeasement did not stop its threats to international peace and security. A comprehensive solution and a firm international position are required to ensure fundamental solutions to the Iranian regime's attempt to obtain weapons of mass destruction, and its ballistic missile program, and its interference in the internal affairs of other countries, and its sponsorship of terrorism.A comprehensive solution and a firm international position are required to ensure fundamental solutions to the Iranian regime's attempt to obtain weapons of mass destruction, and its ballistic missile program, and its interference in the internal affairs of other countries, and its sponsorship of terrorism.”

Ceasefire: “Furthermore, the Houthi militias impede the flow of humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people. They also obstructed the efforts to reach a political solution in Yemen and rejected efforts to deescalate the situation, the latest of which was the ceasefire announcement made by the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen last April in response to the UN's request, and in order to allow the efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Yemen to proceed. Instead, they continue to target civilians in Yemen and in the Kingdom.

Disarmament/Armed conflict: “We also stand by the fraternal people of Lebanon who are experiencing a humanitarian catastrophe as a result of the explosion at the Port of Beirut, which occurred as a result of the hegemony of Hezbollah, a terrorist organization affiliated with Iran, over the decision making process in Lebanon by force of arms. This led to disabling the constitutional state institutions in Lebanon. In order for the fraternal people of Lebanon to achieve their aspirations of security, stability, and prosperity, this terrorist organization must be disarmed.”

Senegal
H.E. Amadou Ba, Minister of Foreign Affairs
26 September 2020

Armed conflict: "Together, we will be able to face the multiple challenges which have for names terrorism and violent extremism, armed conflicts, financing of development, illicit financial flows, migration, poverty and exclusion, public health and climate change."

Serbia
H.E. Aleksandar Vučić, President
23 September 2020

No relevant references.

Seychelles
H.E. Danny Faure, President
22 September 2020

No relevant references.

Sierra Leone
H.E. Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President
24 September 2020

Ceasefire: “I commend Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his astute leadership and profound commitment to the work of the Organization. In particular, I acknowledge,with appreciation, his call for a global ceasefire during the current pandemic, the setting up of the COVID-19 response fund, advancing the urgent need to address Climate Change,and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Cyber: “As a global family, it is only through our collective commitment to Multilateralism that we can effectively tackle the COVID-19 pandemicand meaningfully address the prevailing universal challenges of poverty, hunger, diseases, natural disasters, climate change, terrorism, human rights violations, cybersecurity, and transnational organized crime.”

Armed conflict/conflict prevention: “We are ... committed to promoting international cooperation to address present and emerging challenges that confront our world, including our collective engagement in the prevention of conflict as well as advancing durable peaceful settlement of conflicts and disputes. We must continue to build on gains made in our preventive diplomacy efforts, continue to heighten collaboration,and utilise experiences that have helped the United Nations to achieve relative international peace and security over the last 75 years.”

Singapore
H.E. Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of Foreign Affairs
26 September 2020

Cyber/ICTs: Third, as we rebuild, we must continue the important work of increasing resilience to meet the challenges posed by the digital revolution, by cybersecurity threats, by climate change, and transboundary pollution.

“At the international level, governments, businesses, and individuals need to be able to transact and transfer data securely across borders. It is thus critical to collectively develop a trusted, open, and inclusive cyberspace underpinned by 5 international law and norms of responsible State behaviour. This is why Singapore strongly supports the UN Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation. We will also continue to work with the UN Group of Governmental Experts on Advancing Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace in the Context of International Security and the Open-Ended Working Group on Developments in the Field of ICTs in the Context of International Security, the OEWG, for short.”

“We expect the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s role to grow as the world moves progressively online, into cyberspace, and new value is created.”

Slovakia
H.E. Zuzana Čaputová, President
23 September 2020

No relevant references.

Slovenia
H.E. Borut Pahor, President
24 September 2020

Cyber: “In a rapidly changing global environment, we increasingly depend on new technologies and digital infrastructure. New technologies and artificial intelligence have already become the backbone of our daily lives that keep businesses and essential public services running. We need to frame them in service of humankind. Slovenia makes an effort in this direction with the very first UNESCO global center for artificial intelligence established in Ljubljana last November. One of the main challenges is cybersecurity. According to our view, cyberspace should be secure, global, open, free and inclusive.”

Arms control/disarmament: “The fragmentation and weakening of international security regimes is worrying. This should only strengthen our commitment for effective, treaty-based international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation. All pressing proliferation issues should be solved by diplomatic and peaceful means.”

Landmines: “Slovenia is especially active in landmines clearance efforts, affecting the lives of civilians, in particular children. I am glad to report that ITF Enhancing Human Security, a Slovenian non-profit organization, managed to maintain its operational capacity and presence in the field in the midst of the pandemic.”

Solomon Islands
H.E. Manasseh Sogavare, Prime Minister, Solomon Islands
26 September 2020

No relevant references.

Somalia
H.E. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo, President
24 September 2020

No relevant references.

South Africa
H.E. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President
22 September 2020

Small arms: “As African countries we continue with our effort to 'silence the guns' once and for all through conflict resolution and peace-building.”

Spain
H.E. Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, President
25 September 2020

Cyber: “The virus does not care about technology. But when societies have been forced to react against the pandemic, when they have reduced personal contacts, even when they have resorted to confinement, when they have sought to keep on with their work, with their education, with their leisure activities, with their social lives ... It is then that digitalization has proven to be the most effective alternative for maintaining social activity.”

“These four factors, together with this most pressing health emergency, are the challenges we are facing:

The challenge of the climate emergency;
The challenge of technological progress and the fourth industrial revolution linked to digitalization.
The challenge of overcoming excruciating inequalities and poverty;
The challenge of full equality between women and men and the eradication of any form of discrimination based on gender, race or origin.”

“The second challenge is linked to the fourth industrial revolution and to digitalization. The past two centuries have seen the global income multiply by more than 20, in contrast with the stagnation of the world's economy in previous centuries. Since then, a series of industrial revolutions has led to a shift in work activity from agriculture to industry and then to services; and to an increase in productivity and consumption, which in turn have increased well-being and life expectancy, albeit in a painfully unequal manner.

“The fourth industrial revolution we are witnessing is of unprecedented scope and speed, and may change every sphere of life for better or for worse. It may provide more leisure or generate more unemployment; it may foster human knowledge or lead to the control and manipulation of people; it may promote the progress of all humankind or intensify inequalities. The following figure illustrates this contrast: 40% of the European Union's GDP is soon expected to stem from digital activities. Meanwhile, in Africa barely four out of every ten people have internet access.

“Digitalization also offers huge potential for emission reduction and for curbing the climate emergency. Artificial intelligence applied to big data and the internet of things facilitate more efficient logistics and transportation, emissions reduction, less aggressive mining and agriculture, the use of renewable energy, and a more circular economy.

Armed conflict/militarism: “Thirdly, we must reinforce the multilateral system so as to maintain international peace and security. Wars shackle entire generations in poverty and distress. There is no security without development, nor development without security. And we cannot look the other way, we cannot simply ignore the multiple conflicts that continue to blight the lives of millions of people, and hope for partial solutions. The fate of such people is also our own.

Sri Lanka
His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President
22 September 2020

No relevant references.

Sudan
His Abdalla Adam Hamdok, Prime Minister
26 September 2020

No translation available.

Suriname
H.E. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President
23 September 2020

Cyber/nuclear weapons: “Despite considerable progress made in global discussions on a variety of matters – from climate change, sustainable development, migration, refugees, terrorism, cyber-warfare to nuclear proliferation- we have experienced that multilateralism has occasionally come under attack.”

Sweden
H.E. Stefan Löfven, Prime Minister
26 September 2020

Ceasefire: “The protracted conflict in Yemen has resulted in the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. I urge donors to step up their support of the humanitarian response. We support UN peace efforts and urge the parties to immediately agree on a ceasefire, inclusive political talks and continued implementation of the Stockholm and Riyadh agreements.”

“The pandemic is a threat to international peace and security. Sweden and the EU strongly support the implementation of the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire. The UN Security Council has an enormous responsibility. To succeed in its mandated task of upholding international peace and security, it must be reformed to effectively address current and future challenges.”

Nuclear weapons/NPT: “This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It serves as a tragic reminder of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the use of nuclear weapons. The nuclear threat is as present as ever. Milestone treaties have been abandoned or are at risk, and new nuclear capabilities are being developed. We call on the United States and Russia to agree on an extension of the “New START Treaty”, and on China to join discussions on follow-on arrangements. As part of our multilateral disarmament diplomacy, Sweden – together with 15 non-nuclear-weapon states – continues to pursue the Stockholm Initiative on Nuclear Disarmament, which aims to contribute to a successful NPT Review Conference.”

JCPOA: “Together with the EU, we strongly support the full implementation of the “Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action”.”

DPRK: “We call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to adhere to its international obligations and take steps towards denuclearisation. 6 (6) We remain committed to a peaceful resolution of the situation on the Korean Peninsula.”

Switzerland
H.E. Simonetta Sommaruga, President
23 September 2020

Armed conflict/Arms Trade Treaty: “We must put even more effort into preventing conflicts. Here too, human rights must remain at the centre of our action. “International Geneva” also contributes to conflict prevention, for example by hosting the Human Rights Council and the Arms Trade Treaty Secretariat.”

Syrian Arab Republic
H.E. Walid Al-Moualem, Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates
26 September 2020

JCPOA: “Syria renews its support for the Islamic Republic of Iran against the US policy aimed at undermining the nuclear agreement and destabilizing the region. Such policy reflects the US administration’s disregard for international law and their obligations under international agreements.”

Tajikistan
H.E. Emomali Rahmon, President
22 September 2020

Militarism: “As we stated time and again, the Afghan case has no military solution and Tajikistan indeed welcomes the peace-building negotiation processes and support any approach aimed at addressing political crisis in this country.”

Tanzania
H.E. Prof. Kennedy Gastorn, Permanent Representative to the United Nations
29 September 2020

No relevant references.

Thailand
H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister
25 September 2020

Disarmament: “On our part, apart from a strong commitment to disarmament, over 27,000 Thai military, police and civilian personnel have proudly served in more than 20 UN peace missions around the world since 1958.”

Timor-Leste
H.E. Francisco Guterres Lú-Olo, President
24 September 2020

No relevant references.

Togo
H.E. Kokou Kpayedo, Permanent Representative to the United Nations
29 September 2020

Armed conflict: “However, these successes here and there should not obscure the reality that our Organization still faces many challenges, for we have still not succeeded in warding off the specter of war and armed conflict of all kinds.”

Tonga
H.E. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, Prime Minister and Minister for Public Enterprises
25 September 2020

No relevant references.

Trinidad and Tobago
H.E. Keith Rowley, Prime Minister
26 September 2020

Arms trafficking/ATT: “The global pandemic has unfortunately exacerbated the threats posed by the illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons, piracy, trafficking in persons and cybercrimes. Given our ardent desire to free our society from the effects of the prevalence of unregulated small arms and light weapons, Trinidad and Tobago remains fully committed to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) which we view as indispensable in addressing the menace of the illicit arms trade.”

Tunisia
H.E. Othman Jerandi, Minister of Foreign Affairs
29 September 2020

No translation available.

Turkey
H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President
22 September 2020

JCPOA: “I would like to reiterate our call for all Parties to abide by their obligations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which significantly contributes to regional and global security.”

Arms Control: “Disarmament is of vital importance for ensuring global peace and security. In contrast, the architecture of arms control has suffered significant damage in recent years.”

WMD: “The international community must move forward on the basis of equality and justice in this regard, eliminating all weapons of mass destruction.”

Turkmenistan
H.E. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President
22 September 2020

Militarism: “Current General Assembly session takes place amid complex and painful events related to the escalation of military and political rivalry and unfortunately we are witnessing them today. Assessment of these events and their cause and effect relationship may differ. But what is certain is that, they negatively affect overall international situation, erode global security foundations and impede economic, trade and humanitarian relations.”

Tuvalu
H.E. Kausea Natano, Prime Minister
25 September 2020

No relevant references.

Uganda
H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President
29 September 2020

Ceasefire: “Uganda applauds the Secretary-General for his timely Appeal for a Global Ceasefire during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no doubt that the pandemic has globally impacted on all aspects of our lives - social, economic and political and in almost all countries across the globe. And with continued armed conflicts and wars, the pandemic makes an already worse situation more dire.”

Ukraine
H.E. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President
23 September 2020

Nuclear weapons: “Consider also this. Coronavirus spares no one. It does not care whether the country has nuclear weapons or what is the level of its GDP, whether the state is part of G7 or G20, whether Christianity, Islam, Judaism or other religions are professed in this country. All of it matters nothing for COVID.”

United Arab Emirates
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
29 September 2020

Cyber: “Today, some conflicts are becoming dangerously regionalized. There is also the growing influence of extremist groups. Threats of cyberwar are rising and the use of sophisticated weapons to attack strategic areas is increasing.”

JCPOA: “We look forward to seeing Iran respect the principles of good-neighborliness and abide by Security Council resolutions by stopping the development of its ballistic missile programs and ceasing the arming of terrorist groups. In this context, my country is particularly concerned that the restrictions imposed on Iran under the nuclear agreement are soon due to expire. Since the nuclear agreement did not achieve its desired outcome, we hope that this experience will be useful in achieving a more comprehensive agreement that addresses the concerns of states in the region and that makes them key partners in drafting the terms of the agreement.”

United Kingdom
H.E. Boris Johnson, Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service
26 September 2020

No relevant references.

United States of America
H.E. Donald Trump, President
22 September 2020

Military Spending: “Our military has increased substantially in size. We spent $2.5 trillion over the last 4 years on our military. We have the most powerful military anywhere in the world, and it’s not even close.”

INF: “We withdrew from the terrible Iran Nuclear Deal and imposed crippling sanctions on the world's leading state sponsor of terror.”

Militarism: “America is fulfilling our destiny as peacemaker. But it is peace through strength. We are stronger now than ever before, our weapons are at an advanced level like we’ve never had before, like frankly we’ve never even thought of having before, and I only pray to God that we never have to use them.”

Uruguay
H.E. Luis Lacalle Pou, President
22 September 2020

Cyber: “My country wants to reinforce here in this Assembly, its support for the Secretary-General's road map on digital cooperation. Uruguay understands that for these initiatives to prosper and effectively contribute to the fulfillment of the SDGs, digital technologies are required to overcome the digital and connectivity gap, also, both in countries and also within each country. It is also essential to promote respect for human rights in the networks. The protection of privacy and personal data, as well as access to information and freedom of expression both public and private. Finally, it is necessary to work on digital security, with a broad participation of state actors, the private sector and civil society.”

Ceasefire: “Referring to the Secretary General's initiatives, I would like to pause for a moment on his call for a ceasefire, a global ceasefire endorsed by my country. A peaceful environment is essential to face the pandemic, that is why we must at this time redouble our commitment to dialogue, the resolution of disputes by peaceful means, the rule of law in order to alleviate suffering and bring hope to all the most vulnerable populations.”

Ceasefire/EWIPA: “In this context, it is worth remembering Uruguay's demands in the defense of hospitals and schools that are subject to attacks in conflict zones, and the need to support Security Council resolutions on this matter.”

EWIPA/protection of civilians: “Uruguay reiterates its national commitment to the human rights agenda and will continue to actively fight for the defense of human rights, including the protection and rights of the child, the situation of civilians in conflict situations and the rights of women, and for the respect of the same by the actors of the international community. In this context, we will continue to ensure the effective application of defense mechanisms by the United Nations.”

Nuclear weapons/disarmament/arms control: “In this forum in which peace was sealed 75 years ago, I wish to express my concern about the dangers posed by non-compliance with disarmament agreements or the withdrawal of some parts, which may lead to the resumption of arms races that take us back to a time when the world lived in the shadow of a possible nuclear conflict. Peace is not conceived in the world unless there are serious commitments on the part of the international community in matters of disarmament and non-proliferation.”

Small arms and light weapons: “The region and my country are concerned about the proliferation and illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons that represent a threat to the stability of the regions and to global security, feed crime and insecurity, and affect the peaceful coexistence within societies. Our government is committed to fighting insecurity and crime, and we will work hard to do so.”

Demilitarisation/conflict prevention: “We want a peaceful future, a world in which the States bet on dialogue and negotiation, in which we find solutions to current conflicts that contemplate the rights of all parties. For this we need to redouble our commitment to preventive diplomacy and mediation as conflict prevention; For this we need a United Nations that acts more in coordination, both in discourse and in practice; an organization that actively engages with other international organizations, including financial ones, to be able to implement a variety of mechanisms that allow countries to overcome the external and internal obstacles to its development, considering its multidimensionality.”

Uzbekistan
H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President
23 September 2020

No relevant references.

Vanuatu
H.E. Bob Loughman, Prime Minister
26 September 2020

Arms race: “COVID-19 has also shone a new light on existing global challenges and conflicts, including the escalating threat of arms race and terrorism; continuous human rights abuses; climate change; the displacement of people; the scourge of non-communicable disease, and the disruptions of the technological revolution that is redefining the future of work.”

Venezuela
H.E. Nicolás Maduro Moros, President
23 September 2020

Ceasefire: “We wish to endorse the words of the United Nations Secretary-General of António Guterres, on the ceasefire and cessation of conflicts in the world, reiterating unrestricted respect and full adherence to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, in particular, respect to sovereignty, territorial integrity and noninterference in the internal affairs of States, dialogue among nations, peaceful resolution of disputes and the prohibition of the threats or use of force as such.”

Militarism: “Venezuela, as you know, is under constant attack. Our beloved Homeland is the victim of a multiform attack by the U.S. Empire, in the media field, in the political field, in the economic field; we have even been threatened with direct military aggressions.”

“The attacks – as you know – are not limited only to the unilateral coercive measures. On May 3rd, Venezuela faced an attempted maritime incursion by a group of mercenaries and terrorists, financed by the government of the United States and trained on Colombian territory, with the total and absolute support of the U.S. and Colombian governments. This group of terrorists was confronted in real time by the civic-military police union, and the perpetrators of this attack, of this armed incursion against Venezuela, were neutralized and captured, and are under the orders of the judicial institutions for due process. Likewise, we recently captured an American spy with war weapons and documents related to our oil and electric industry. It is a daily siege that we have been facing, dismantling, denouncing, unveiling one by one.”

Viet Nam
H.E. Nguyen Phu Trong, Party General Secretary and President
24 September 2020

No relevant references.

Yemen
H.E. Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi Mansour, President
24 September 2020

No translation available.

Zambia
H.E. Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President
24 September 2020

No relevant references.

Zimbabwe
H.E. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President
24 September 2020

Small arms and light weapons: “Peace, security and stability are a prerequisite for sustainable development. This can only be achieved in an inclusive process characterized by equally shared commitment and responsibilities. We count on the international community to strengthen its support for AU-led peace efforts. We also look forward to greater collaboration between the AU and the UN in maintaining sustainable international peace and security in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, more particularly in ensuring the effective implementation of the AU’s campaign on ‘Silencing the Guns’.”