Swedish statement deliverd by Ambassador Anna Karin Eneström at the General Debate of the Disarmament and International Security Committee, 76th session of the UN General Assembly, United Nations, 4 October 2021.
(Check against delivery)
Chair,
Sweden associates itself with the general statement by the European Union and the one delivered on behalf of the Nordic countries. The following remarks are made in a national capacity.
Chair,
Like last year, we meet against the backdrop of the pandemic and a deteriorating international security environment. Despite difficulties, we are joining together to meet common challenges and work to strengthen international peace and security. Our common goal is a world free from nuclear weapons, yet the risk of another nuclear arms race, or actual nuclear weapons use, is ever present. It is an indisputable fact that even a single nuclear explosion has catastrophic humanitarian consequences.
Chair,
As champion for dialogue and gender within the framework of the UN Secretary-General’s Agenda for Disarmament, Sweden will continue to work with the UN, member states and civil society in realizing the agenda. It is our unwavering conviction that a gender equality perspective on all aspects of our collective work will strengthen international peace and security.
Chair,
As we approach the 10th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty much is at stake. We must not only reaffirm the continued validity of previous commitments made, but also advance implementation on all three pillars. Progress must be achieved.
The Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament, launched by Sweden in 2019 together with 15 other Non-Nuclear Weapons States from different parts of the world and different security contexts, aims to build political support for a pragmatic and results-oriented disarmament agenda ahead of the Review Conference. In 2020, the Initiative adopted a declaration including 22 so called Stepping Stones – concrete proposals and measures for nuclear disarmament. The Initiative has also presented a working paper on risk reduction with several constructive ideas that states could take forward. We invite all NPT States Parties to align with our proposals, as many states have already done.
This year we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening for signature of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty. Its entry-into-force is at the top of the disarmament community’s ”to do-list”. Until achieved, all moratoria on nuclear test explosions must be maintained. Sweden’s strong political and technical support to the CTBT remains steadfast.
Chair,
An arms race in outer space must be prevented. Preserving and strengthening the safety, security and sustainability of outer space activities is crucial for international peace and security and to safeguard the peaceful uses of space for future generations. This requires strengthened international cooperation on outer space.
Without excluding the possibility of future legally binding measures, we believe that voluntary norms of responsible behaviour is the best way forward at this moment.
Chair,
The International Atomic Energy Agency plays an indispensable role in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons, promoting nuclear and radiation safety, and facilitating the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
It is essential that the Agency receives the necessary political and financial support and has adequate inspection tools. Work for the universalisation of the Additional Protocol must continue.
The DPRK’s nuclear and missiles programmes remain a major threat to the global non-proliferation regime. The DPRK should formalize its commitments towards denuclearization in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, including by signing and ratifying the CTBT.
Sweden reaffirms its resolute commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which contributes to regional and international peace and security. Iran’s continuing non-compliance with the JCPOA is a matter of grave concern. We call on Iran to return to negotiations in Vienna without further delay.
Chair,
Any use of chemical weapons is a violation of international law and perpetrators of chemical attacks must be held accountable. The continued violations by the Syrian Arab Republic of its obligations as a State Party to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is a matter of great concern and must be condemned in the strongest terms by the international community.
Sweden condemns the assassination attempt on the Russian politician Alexei Navalny, poisoned in Russia by a chemical nerve agent of the “Novichok” group. We reiterate our call on the Russian authorities to fully cooperate with the OPCW to ensure an impartial international investigation and to bring those responsible to justice.
Chair,
The illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons continue to pose serious threats to peace, security and sustainable development throughout the world. A holistic approach, continued implementation of multilateral agreements such as the Arms Trade Treaty and the International Tracing Instrument, and support to programmes addressing physical security threats and socioeconomic and gender dimensions of armed violence is crucial.
Chair,
The rapid technological development poses new challenges for disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control. Sweden is of the strong conviction that international law applies fully to all weapon systems and that meaningful human control over the use of force always must be upheld, the area of LAWS is no exception.
Chair,
Summing up, there are many matters of importance and urgency on our agenda. You can count on Sweden to play a constructive role.
Thank you.