Swedish statement at UNGA76 Thematic Debate of the First Committee

Chair,

Sweden associates itself with the statement by the European Union. The following remarks are made in a national capacity.

As many have pointed to already, we are faced with a complex and difficult security environment where new nuclear capabilities are under development, landmark arms control treaties are endangered or even abandoned and where trust and confidence is eroding. We must protect and strengthen the international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation architecture, and work together to achieve progress and concrete results. Multilateralism matters.

Sweden emphasizes the importance of a successful outcome of the 10th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which we hope can take place in January 2022. Our common goal remains a world free from nuclear weapons. It is an indisputable fact that even a single nuclear explosion has catastrophic humanitarian consequences. We must make progress on implementing obligations and delivering on previous commitments, not least in regard to article VI.

With the Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament, which gathers 16 other Non-Nuclear Weapon States from different parts of the world and from different security contexts, we aim to build political support for a pragmatic and result-oriented disarmament agenda that states parties can gather around  - “a common ground agenda”.

In an effort to further elaborate and build on the already adopted declaration including the 22 so called Stepping Stones, our group has also presented a working paper on risk reduction. The paper offers several constructive ideas that states can take forward. We invite all NPT States Parties to study the work carried out by the Initiative and align with our proposals. We thank those many States that have already done so.

Chair,

The Nuclear Weapon States have a special responsibility for nuclear disarmament and arms control. In this regard we welcome the extension by the USA and Russia of the New START. Its importance cannot be underestimated. This, together with the US-Russia strategic stability dialogue, will hopefully provide for continued dialogue on how to move forward on arms control. Our expectation is for the early commencement of negotiations on a treaty following New START post 2026. Such a treaty could include further reductions of strategic arsenals and regulate arsenals of non-strategic weapons. The sides should also seek effective ways to mitigate the consequences of the demise of the INF Treaty.

Chair,

This year we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening for signature of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The CTBT constitutes a crucial part of the international disarmament and non-proliferation regime. Its entry-into-force should remain a top priority. Sweden’s strong political and technical support to CTBT is steadfast. We urge all remaining Annex 2 States to promptly take concrete steps towards ratification. Pending entry-into-force, all existing moratoria on nuclear test explosions must be maintained.

Chair,

Nuclear disarmament verification remains one of the success stories of recent years. Sweden is actively engaged in the IPNDV and the QUAD partnerships, both of which continue to deliver concrete insights into future verification requirements. We strongly encourage more states to engage in this area. 

Chair,

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) plays an indispensable role in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons, promoting nuclear and radiation safety, and facilitating the use of nuclear technology, including in areas such as health, food and agriculture, and combating microplastics. We are impressed with the way the Agency has been able to continue its work during the COVID-19 pandemic despite many challenging tasks, including safeguards issues.

It is essential that the Agency receives the necessary political and financial support. We must also ensure that the Agency has adequate inspection tools and should therefore continue to work for the universalisation of the Additional Protocol.

I thank you.