Remarks at the First Committee, 2nd meeting – General Assembly, 76th session

 
Ambassador Harold Agyeman
Permanent Representative
Ghana Permanent Mission to the United Nations
New York City October 4, 2021

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the African Group. I congratulate you and all the bureau members on your election and assure you of the African Group support and cooperation.
The African Group aligns itself with the Statement of the Non-Aligned Movement and wishes to make the following remarks.
 
Mr. Chairman,
This 76th session not only takes place during a very challenging and unprecedented context imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic but also, at a time when the Disarmament and non proliferation regime is eroding.
The International security continues to deteriorate as the world faces immense challenges to peace and security, particularly the increased threat of a new arms race. In this regard, the Group underscores the absolute validity of multilateral diplomacy to address disarmament, non-proliferation and international security in accordance with the principles and objectives enshrined in the UN Charter and SSOD-I, and restates that there are no substitutes for a constructive multilateral approach to addressing global disarmament issues.
 
Mr. Chairman,
On 20th September 2017, the landmark Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons opened for signature. Given the slow progress and frustrations that had characterised nuclear disarmament for so many years, the TPNW marks a watershed in the drive to rid the world of nuclear weapons. The African Group wishes to underscore that the Treaty, reinforces the need for our commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and to complement the treaty. As the international community awaits the realisation of the goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons, the African Group seeks more profound and concrete measures in pursuit of the objective of nuclear disarmament in a verifiable and irreversible manner within a clear timeframe.
Nuclear weapons represent a grave existential threat to humanity as long as nuclear-weapon States continue to possess and modernise these weapons of mass destruction. The Group therefore, welcomes and underscores the importance of resolution [70/34], as an integral part of the multilateral disarmament effort.
Seventy six years have passed since the world witnessed the first ever use of atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The devastations and impact caused by the twin attacks continue to be borne, not only by the Hibakushas but also, by all the peoples around the globe as well as, its impact on the environment. It is therefore, time to raise our voices against the slow pace and the lack of good faith and commitment on the part of nuclear-weapon States to dismantle their nuclear weapons.
 
Mr. Chairman,
The failure of the 9th Review Conference in 2015, despite concerted efforts of non-nuclear-weapon States; particularly from Africa, requires the positive engagement as States Parties prepare for the NPT Review Conference. In this respect, the Group calls on all States Parties to the NPT to work towards preserving the credibility and sustainability of the Treaty and achieving its universality and objectives through the adoption of a balanced and comprehensive outcome document. The African Group insists on the implementation of all agreed measures and undertakings by the nuclear-weapon States in the context of the Treaty especially Article VI.
 
Mr. Chairman,
The African Group re-affirms the central role of nuclear-weapon-free zones in the consolidation of the NPT, as well as in their contributions to addressing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation across all regions of the world. The Treaty of Pelindaba, Tlatelolco, Rarotonga, Bangkok, the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and Mongolia’s Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Status, all significantly contribute to the overall objective of a world free of nuclear weapons. They enhance global and regional peace and security, strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime and contribute towards realising the objectives of nuclear disarmament.
In this context, the African Group remains committed to the Treaty of Pelindaba. Among other things, the Treaty which has celebrated its eleventh anniversary, re-affirms the status of Africa as a nuclear-weapon-free zone and provides a shield for the African territory, including by preventing the stationing of nuclear explosive devices on the continent and prohibiting testing of those weapons on the entire space that constitutes the African continent.

In the same vein, the African Group reiterates its deep concern that the 1995 resolution on the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East have not been implemented as agreed. The Group therefore, calls on all States and organizations invited to the first session of the United Nations Conference on the Establishment of a Zone free of Nuclear Weapons and other Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East under the auspices of the United Nations pursuant to General Assembly Decision 73/546 to negotiate a legally-binding treaty on the establishment of the nuclear-free zone to constructively continue to actively participate in good faith as a practical step towards implementing the 1995 Resolution on the Middle East and creating equitable, sustainable, and non-discriminatory security architecture in the region.

The Group further stresses that the 1995 resolution on the Middle East remains an integral and essential part of the package and the basis upon which consensus was reached on the indefinite extension of the NPT. The Group wishes to highlight the validity of these commitments and obligations until their full implementation.

In this context, the Group also expresses its support for the resolutions entitled, “Establishment of a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone in the Middle East” and the “Risk of Nuclear Proliferation in the Middle East”.

Mr. Chairman,
The African Group underscores the importance of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and underscores the central role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in continuing to ensure the commitments of States to the implementation of Safeguards Agreements and in the provision and promotion of technical assistance and cooperation through maximizing the use of science and technology for socio-economic development.
The African Group emphasises the humanitarian considerations in the context of all deliberations on nuclear weapons at this session, particularly its serious concern for the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the use or detonation of nuclear weapons, either by accident or as a deliberate action. The Group notes the strides made by States and continues to call on all States, especially nuclear-weapon States, to have in their consideration, the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the use of these weapons on human health, the environment and vital economic resources among others, as well as, take necessary measures and steps to ensure the dismantling and renunciation of these weapons.
 
Mr. Chairman,
It is in this context that the African Group strongly supports all efforts aimed at the total elimination and de-legitimisation of nuclear weapons as the utmost prerequisite for maintaining international peace and security. It is in this spirit that we recall the historical entry into force of the Landmark Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in January 2021. It is hoped that nuclear weapon States and those under the so-called “nuclear umbrella” would seize this opportunity to also, sign and ratify the Treaty as well as, pursue the goal of a nuclear-free world.
The continued existence and possession of nuclear weapons do not guarantee security, but an affirmation of the risks of their potential use. Our world, including the outer space, must be free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. It is in this context that the Group stresses the need for the nuclear weapons States to cease their further modernisation, upgrading, refurbishment or extending the lives of their nuclear weapons and related facilities.
 
Mr. Chairman,
The African Group underscores the 25th Anniversary of the opening for signature of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and stresses the importance of achieving its universal adherence, taking into consideration the special responsibilities of Nuclear Weapons States. The Group believes that the CTBT offers hope of halting further, the development and proliferation of nuclear weapons, thereby contributing to the goal of nuclear disarmament. The Group recalls the convening of the 11th Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT held in New York on 25th September 2019 and supports the international community which has remained committed to promoting the CTBT and also, calls on nuclear-weapon States and those yet to accede to the NPT, which are listed in Annex II of the Treaty and have not yet signed and ratified the CTBT, to do so without further delay.
 
Mr. Chairman,
The African Group joins other Member States to reaffirm the importance of the work entrusted to the Conference on Disarmament (CD). The Group expresses concern at the many years of impasse, which has prevented the CD from fulfilling its mandate as the world’s single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum and calls on the CD to resume substantive work without further delay, taking into account the security interests of all States and without further delay.
The African Group underscores the great importance of the United Nations Disarmament Commission (UNDC). The Group regrets that consensus was not reached on the agenda item on nuclear disarmament for several years and stresses the importance of the UN disarmament machinery as an integral aspect of multilateral disarmament. The Group further underscores, the significance, not only of preserving the Commission but also in the realisation of its deliberative objectives. The Group looks forward to a successful deliberation on the elements of the agenda items in the current cycle.
 
Mr. Chairman,
The African Group remains deeply concerned over the illicit trade, transfer, manufacture, possession and circulation of small arms and light weapons, their excessive accumulation and uncontrolled spread in many regions of the world, particularly on the continent of Africa. The Group remains committed to the UN Programme of Action (UN PoA) to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) in All Its Aspects and welcomes the successful outcome of the seventh biennial meeting of states (BMS7) held in July 2021 in New York.
The African Group urges States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) to implement it in a balanced and objective manner and one that protects the interests of all States and not just the major international arms producing and exporting States. The Group reaffirms the sovereign right of States to acquire, manufacture, export, import and retains conventional arms, their parts and components for their self-defence and security needs in accordance with the UN Charter. The full implementation of the treaty remains achievable with the cooperation of all. The Group acknowledges that conventional arms transfer to recipients that are not authorized by their Governments fuels conflicts and terrorism and therefore, there is need to strengthen collaborative efforts aimed at holding exporting equipment manufacturers accountable in third party trading and proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
 
Mr. Chairman,
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the United Nations Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC), and despite limited resources, the Centre has continued to offer technical assistance and capacity building to States across the African region. The Group welcomes the undertaking by the Regional Centre to deepen its partnership with the African Union Commission and African sub-regional organisations within the context of the United Nations-African Union Framework for enhanced partnership in Peace and Security. The Centre needs assistance in furthering and delivering its mandate and the Group wishes to seize this opportunity to call for further assistance to bolster its efforts and ensure that the Centre continues in this momentum to deliver on its mandate.
 
Mr. Chairman,
The African Group welcomes the progress made in the context of the Open-Ended-Working-Group on the developments in the Field of Information Communication Technology in the Context of International Security. As the first inclusive mechanism established within the United Nations with the participation of all Member States, to continue furthering the development of rules, norms and principles of responsible behaviour of States and the ways for their implementation; studying the possibility of regular institutional dialogues; studying how international law applies to the use of ICTs by States, as well as, confidence-building. The Group also, expresses its confidence that the new OEWG under the Chairmanship of the Permanent Representative of Singapore would contribute towards international efforts to safeguard cyberspace from becoming an arena of conflict.
The Group stresses the importance of the prevention of an arms race in outer space through a legally binding instrument that would complement the international legal framework in a manner that allows for the equal exploration of the outer space based on the principles of non-appropriation and peaceful uses of outer space in conformity with the five United Nations Treaties governing space activities.
 
Mr. Chairman,
the African Group wishes to restate the critical importance of political will and transparency in addressing international disarmament and security issues. The Group believes our deliberations in the coming days should be guided by the need to advance the work of the First Committee and enhance the course of peace.
The African Group will submit three resolutions in the course of our meetings for which we seek the support of all delegations. These three resolutions which have been subject to the necessary technical updates are:
i. The African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty,
ii. Prohibition of the Dumping of the Radioactive Wastes,
iii. The Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa.
 
The full text of this statement will be circulated through the e-statements portal.
 
I thank you for your attention.