Statement made by the Permanent Representative of Sweden, H.E. Ms. Anna Karin Eneström, at the General Debate of the First Committee, 77th session of the UN General Assembly, United Nations.
Thank you Chair,
Sweden associates itself with the statements by the European Union and by Denmark on behalf of the Nordic countries. The following remarks are made in a national capacity.
At the outset let me extend my delegation’s congratulations to you, Chair, upon your election. Please be assured of the full support of the Swedish delegation.
Chair,
On 24 February of this year an already challenging international security environment deteriorated dramatically. Sweden reiterates in the strongest terms its condemnation of the Russian Federation’s illegal aggression against Ukraine. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia’s threats to use nuclear weapons are completely unacceptable and flagrant violations of international law, including the UN Charter. Russia – and no one else – brandishes the threat of using nuclear weapons. Russia – and Russia only – lowers the nuclear threshold.
We condemn in the strongest possible terms the sham “referenda” conducted in regions of Ukraine currently and partially occupied by Russia. Sweden will never recognize their falsified outcome. The sham referenda have no legal validity or effect. Nor will we recognize the illegal Russian annexations of Ukrainian territory. Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhizha are, like Crimea, parts of the sovereign state of Ukraine within the country's internationally recognized borders. It is the legal responsibility of all states to not recognize this illegal annexation.
Chair,
Sweden deeply regrets that the 10th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was not able to adopt a final outcome document due to one country – Russia - blocking consensus.
While the draft outcome document of the Conference was by no means perfect, it would have given important impetus for progress and follow-up on several issues, including nuclear risk reduction. Sweden welcomes the strong support of States Parties for the proposals of the Stockholm Initiative.
Despite the unsatisfactory outcome of the Review Conference, the NPT remains the cornerstone of the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation architecture and obligations and commitments, including those from past Review Conferences, remain valid.
Chair,
International peace and security is the responsibility of all states. Yet, the lack of transparency by some states and the continued erosion of trust within the international community has made it increasingly difficult to achieve much needed progress on disarmament and non-proliferation.
The entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty and a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty are both crucial building blocks needed to achieve this progress. Sweden urges all states to ensure the entry into force of the CTBT and calls for immediate negotiations and the establishment of a treaty banning the production of fissile material for use in nuclear weapons or other explosive devices.
Another important building block is nuclear disarmament verification. Sweden is actively engaged in this area through the IPNDV and the QUAD partnerships and we strongly encourage more states to participate in promoting nuclear disarmament verification.
Chair,
Sweden is deeply concerned about the nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles programs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We urge the DPRK to fulfil its international commitments and undertake a complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, and to re-commit to meaningful negotiations. Sweden remains committed in our engagement for a peaceful solution to the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and we will continue our efforts to further a dialogue.
The situation in Iran has developed into a serious challenge to the safeguards system and the global non-proliferation regime. We call on Iran to accept the EU’s latest package proposal so that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action could finally be restored.
Sweden underlines the indispensable role of the IAEA in this regard and highlights the importance of its safeguards system. The Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements together with Protocols according to the 1997 Model Additional Protocol constitute the current safeguards verification standard and should be universally applied.
Chair,
The international norm against chemical and biological weapons is indispensable for our collective security. Any use of chemical or biological weapons is a violation of international law, and perpetrators must be held accountable.
Sweden condemns the 2020 assassination attempt against Alexei Navalny and reiterates its call on the Russian authorities to fully cooperate with the OPCW to ensure an impartial international investigation and to bring those responsible to justice.
The Ninth Review Conference of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention starts next month. This is a critical opportunity to ensure that the Convention can uphold its central role in preventing the misuse of biology for hostile purposes.
In this context, we strongly reject the groundless accusations Russia has directed against Ukraine for having a “biological weapons program”. These allegations not only undermine legitimate international cooperation to combat infectious disease but also undermine the Convention itself.
Chair,
Sweden underlines the importance of a holistic approach to arms control and disarmament. Now more than ever, we must preserve and strengthen key conventional arms control instruments. This year marks the 25th anniversary since the signing of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, and we urge all states not yet party to join this landmark treaty.
The illicit flows, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of arms and ammunition, in particular small arms and light weapons, deserve our continued attention. Implementation of key instruments, such as the Arms Trade Treaty, and support to programs addressing physical security threats and socioeconomic and gender dimensions of armed violence, remains crucial.
Chair,
Sweden regards outer space as a global common, to be used for the benefit of all, and underlines the applicability of international law, including the UN Charter, to activities in outer space.
Sweden is strongly committed to strengthening international security and stability and to prevent an arms race in outer space, which is essential for safeguarding the long-term use of the space environment for peaceful purposes. We support the on-going work in the Open-Ended Working Group on reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behavior. Agreeing on voluntary norms constitutes a way forward at this moment, without excluding the possibility of future legally binding measures.
Chair,
The challenges before the international community are many and complex. Sweden is convinced that multilateralism is the best way to address them, while protecting and strengthening the international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation architecture.
I thank you.