United Nations Security Council Briefing on Non-proliferation

FIFTEENTH SIX-MONTH REPORT OF THE FACILITATOR ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 2231 (2015)

Madam President,
I would like to begin by thanking USG Rosemary DiCarlo for the presentation of the Secretary-General’s latest report on the implementation of resolution 2231. I also thank Ambassador Vanessa Frazier, the Facilitator for the implementation of the resolution, and Ambassador Olof Skoog Coordinator of the JCPOA Joint Commission for their respective briefings.

Ghana has always asserted that the JCPOA represents the most advantageous opportunity and pragmatic approach for addressing the Iranian nuclear programme, as it facilitates a balanced compromise that allows Iran to benefit from the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, while simultaneously upholding the crucial principles of non-proliferation.

Even though it was our expectation that the termination of some of the sanctions outlined in the Annex B of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, would be occurring against a backdrop of cooperation, communication, transparency, and verification, the situation today is different. Today, there is a high level of distrust among parties to the JCPOA and the commitment to define necessary steps to restore the implementation of the Plan has failed to gain traction.

Ghana reaffirms that global instruments pertaining to nuclear disarmament and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons are fundamental safeguards against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. We therefore recognize the JCPOA and resolution 2231 as critical multilateral initiatives, which facilitate universal adherence to the relevant NPT instruments that have anchored the global efforts for international peace and security.

In forging ahead, we believe that it would be useful for the key stakeholders to develop a practical roadmap of steps to return to full compliance with the JCPOA and the implementation of resolution 2231. This would require the rebuilding of trust and the coordination of efforts toward a shared understanding of the existing text and the requirements outlined therein.

Ghana reechoes the calls for the parties to exhibit necessary flexibility and political will to reach a compromise on outstanding issues to restore the implementation of resolution 2231 and the JCPOA.

We also entreat all parties to adhere to their commitments under the JCPOA, including by lifting all unilateral sanctions imposed against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Such measures impact the people of Iran negatively and creates a misunderstanding that there might be political motives other than the objectives of non-proliferation and regional security under consideration.

We equally, and strongly, urge the Islamic Republic of Iran to fulfill all its commitments under the deal, including reversing any actions that are not consistent with its obligations. It is essential that Iran should uphold its Safeguards Agreement and implement voluntary transparency measures with the IAEA as specified in the Plan. In this regard, we hold that the meeting between the IAEA Director-General and the Iranian government in March 2023 as well as the subsequent restoration of the surveillance cameras at workshops where centrifuges parts are manufactured are positive developments that must be sustained.

We reaffirm our support for the efforts of the IAEA in maintaining the Agency’s monitoring and verification activities on Iran’s nuclear programme. We believe that the Agency plays a critical role in restoring trust and confidence within the international community and among the countries of the region through the assurance it can provide that Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively for peaceful purposes.

We reiterate that the right to peaceful uses must be exercised in conformity with obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons (NPT) as well as other nuclear-related commitments, including the Additional Protocol, and in compliance with the agreed standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Madam President,
In concluding, Ghana continues to affirm strong support for the global treaties against the development, production, use, and stockpiling of nuclear weapons, as such agreements and instruments are the only means of ensuring a comprehensive, verifiable, irreversible, non-discriminatory, transparent, and time-bound approach to nuclear disarmament.

Finally, we recognize that achieving the JCPOA took determined diplomacy and tact and restoring its implementation will require exceptional diplomatic efforts and patience. We accordingly entreat all parties to work constructively towards a full return to the terms of the deal, bearing in mind the ongoing threats to global security and time limitations. Diplomacy must be the path that we must keep to.

I thank you.