Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand

10/07/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/06/2022 08:52

United Nations General Assembly: First Committee General Debate

Ministry Statements & Speeches: 7 October 2022

Delivered by Permanent Representative, H.E. Ms. Carolyn Schwalger

Chair,

Thank you Chair, and at the outset please allow me to congratulate you on your appointment and assure you of the full cooperation of my delegation.

It seems that every year, when we gather for this General Assembly's First Committee, our statements record our concern at the deteriorating global security environment, at violations of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, and at the failure of multilateral disarmament fora to respond in an appropriately robust or urgent way. Such statements seem nothing short of inadequate in 2022.

Our work takes place under the dark cloud of Russia's unprovoked, unjustified and illegal invasion of Ukraine. Russia's so-called "referenda" in eastern and southern Ukraine constitute a new and additional act of aggression and a breach of fundamental rules of international law. We strongly condemn Russia's actions, and we do not recognise Russia's illegal attempts to change Ukraine's borders or territorial sovereignty, including through annexation.

Any steps by Russia that risk a further escalation to the war in Ukraine, are reckless. As we have from the start of Russia's invasion, we continue to call on President Putin to act consistently with international obligations, cease Russia's invasion of Ukraine, withdraw troops and return to diplomatic negotiations as a pathway to resolution of the conflict.

Chair,

North Korea's continued ballistic missile and nuclear programmes in contravention of UN Security Council resolutions, and its recent launch of a missile over Japan, also demonstrate a reckless disregard for international rules. They undermine and pose a serious threat to our security. And reports that North Korea is preparing for a nuclear test are deeply troubling. The international community must stand together to demonstrate that these actions are unacceptable.

Russia's nuclear sabre-rattling, and indeed the latest missile launch by North Korea this week, has further underscored for Aotearoa New Zealand the importance of our struggle against nuclear weapons. This is a fight we have pursued across decades, in many different fora and in concert with a plethora of bilateral, regional and international partners - a fight that has still to deliver satisfactory results. But, as our Prime Minister confirmed here at the UN just a couple of weeks ago, it is an effort we will continue.

To see the use of nuclear weapons being threatened again demonstrates the urgency of pursuing their total elimination. For the only way to guarantee that people will be safe from the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons is for them not to exist.

We are, of course, accustomed to being called naïve or idealistic for our relentless pursuit of a world without nuclear weapons, and for our belief that such a world can be achieved. But is it not the alternative that requires a suspension of reality?

Will the continued existence of some 14,000 nuclear weapons - many on high alert - not tempt or risk use by someone, somewhere?

Will threats to use nuclear weapons, made at times of extremely high tension and low trust, not risk miscalculation or overreaction leading to their detonation?

Will persistent statements about the critical importance of nuclear deterrence for state security not eventually lead to the further proliferation of nuclear weapons?

As our Prime Minister said, "There is no question that nuclear disarmament is an enormous challenge. But if given the choice, and we are being given a choice, surely we would choose the challenge of disarmament than the consequence of a failed strategy of weapons-based deterrence."

Disarmament is the choice that Aotearoa New Zealand has made. It is why we urge all countries to join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the clearest possible message a country can send of its opposition to these weapons, and of its commitment to achieving a world without them.

The successful first meeting of states parties to the TPNW, and the Declaration and Action Plan adopted there, demonstrated the commitment of TPNW supporters to moving forward on nuclear disarmament in an inclusive and transparent manner, and to doing the hard work required to achieve the Treaty's objectives. We encourage all countries to join us in these efforts.

Our choice of disarmament over destruction is also why we continue to advocate for meaningful progress on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. We remain deeply disappointed in Russia's decision to block the outcome from the 10th NPT Review Conference. But it will not weaken our commitment to pursuing full implementation of the Treaty - and of Article VI in particular. The nuclear-weapon states must remedy the long-standing deficit in the fulfilment of their NPT disarmament obligations in order to restore confidence they still intend to relinquish their nuclear arsenals - not when the time may be right for them, but with the urgency demanded by an obligation that has been unsatisfied for fifty years.

Of course nuclear disarmament is not the only challenge we are facing.

Civilians continue to bear the brunt of all conflicts, including as a result of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA). Aotearoa New Zealand is pleased to have been active in the negotiation of the Political Declaration on EWIPA and looks forward to formally endorsing it next month in Dublin, Ireland. The Declaration is an opportunity for all states to demonstrate the importance they place on compliance with international humanitarian law and to better protect civilians from the particular harm being caused by EWIPA. With broad support and active implementation, the Declaration can make a real difference to the lives of civilians in current and future conflicts throughout the world.

At the same time, Aotearoa New Zealand continues to encourage universalisation and full implementation of conventional weapons treaties including the Cluster Munitions Convention and the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. We condemn every use of such weapons and urge all parties to current conflicts to refrain from doing so.

Chair,

We are concerned at the inadequate progress made in efforts to agree meaningful progress on autonomous weapons systems within the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. That forum must meaningfully translate the development of substantive understandings over prohibitions, rules and limits into formal, agreed progress. We regret that some states are frustrating the efforts of a growing majority of the international community in this regard-on limits needed urgently to ensure that any development and deployment of such weapons is consistent with international humanitarian law and relevant ethical principles. It is imperative that we - and the existing disarmament institutions - can demonstrate we are up to the task of addressing the newest challenges on the international disarmament agenda, even as we continue to grapple with longstanding ones as well.

The looming review conferences of the biological and chemical weapons conventions are an opportunity for us all to recognise both the value they bring to the global disarmament and non-proliferation regime and the importance of all states stepping up to defend them. Aotearoa New Zealand remains steadfast in calling for accountability and justice for the use of chemical weapons, and deplores efforts to undermine the OPCW. We encourage all countries to approach the review conferences with ambition and with a view to ensuring their credibility and sustainability in the future.

Chair,

The challenges before us are immense, and - if we are honest -at growing risk of seeming overwhelming. But we are not defeatist, nor will we allow pessimism to discourage us from pursuing a safer and more secure world. Aotearoa New Zealand will continue to play our part, including here in this Committee. We call on all others to do so as well.

Thank you, Chair.