CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT HEARS ADDRESS FROM FOREIGN MINISTER OF BANGLADESH

The Conference on Disarmament held a plenary meeting this afternoon to hear an address from Dipu Moni, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.

Ms. Moni said that said that in the midst of sweeping changes across the world disarmament seemed like an island in splendid isolation, tranquil and unaffected. The Conference on Disarmament was yet to end its long winter slumber and take on substantive work. In an environment where many societies were in turmoil insecurity was exacerbated by weapons proliferation and transfer. While Bangladesh was neither a nuclear weapon sate nor an arms producer, if there were a nuclear war in any part of the world, it would be directly or indirectly affected. The total elimination of nuclear weapons was the only absolute guarantee for a peaceful and secure world; until that was achieved non-nuclear weapon states had the legitimate right to receive security assurances from nuclear weapon states. The establishment of Nuclear Weapon Free Zones and accession to their protocols could be useful interim steps towards securing Negative Security Assurances.

The use of nuclear weapons against any country posed a problem of a global rather than a regional problem. Bangladesh continued to stress the need to commence negotiations on a universal, unconditional and legally binding instrument for Negative Security Assurances as a matter of priority; and saw merit in beginning negotiations of a non-discriminatory, internationally and effectively verifiable Treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons, which would include existing stocks. While working for the total elimination of all weapons of mass destruction, the Conference must continue its efforts to stop the proliferation of conventional weapons. Bangladesh also calls for an end to the inhumane and unauthorized use of anti-personnel landmines. Bangladesh was a strong believer in the Conference’s continued relevance, as it was the only body with membership of all nuclear capable states.

No other speakers took the floor in today’s meeting.


The next public plenary of the Conference on Disarmament will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 28 February 2012 when the Conference will continue with its High Level Segment and will hear statements from dignitaries of Kazakhstan, Jordan, Iran, Malaysia, Costa Rica, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, Korea and Indonesia.

Statement

DIPU MONI, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, said that in the midst of sweeping changes across the world disarmament seemed like an island in splendid isolation, tranquil and unaffected. The Conference on Disarmament was yet to end its long winter slumber and take on substantive work. Realising the goals of disarmament meant saving millions of lives, freeing valuable resources for addressing pressing development needs, and ensuring timely achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. While Bangladesh was neither a nuclear weapon state nor an arms producer, nuclear war in any part of the world would directly or indirectly affect it. The total elimination of nuclear weapons was the only absolute guarantee for a peaceful and secure world. Until that was achieved, non-nuclear weapon states had the legitimate right to receive security assurances from nuclear weapon states.

Establishment of Nuclear Weapon Free Zones and accession to their protocols could be useful interim steps towards securing Negative Security Assurances. The use of nuclear weapons against any country posed a problem of a global nature rather than regional. Bangladesh continued to stress the need for commencing negotiations on a universal, unconditional and legally binding instrument for Negative Security Assurances as a matter of priority; and saw merit in beginning negotiations of a non-discriminatory, internationally and effectively verifiable Treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons, which would include existing stocks. Bangladesh was a strong believer in the Conference’s continued relevance: as it was the only body with membership of all nuclear capable states. Nuclear disarmament issues should be negotiated by the Conference.

Outer space was a common heritage of mankind. For that reason Bangladesh called upon the major space-faring nations to avert weaponization of the outer space. The Conference must continue to uphold its legitimacy and credibility by breaking out of its current stalemate, and engage in substantive work. In that regard, Bangladesh was appreciative of the work done by the United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters for the possible establishment of a Group of Eminent Persons. It was important to recognise the need to make the Conference more receptive to the global voices on disarmament and create greater space for other relevant stakeholders. Bangladesh hoped that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons review process would continue to be pursued with a balanced approach, and indicated that the universalisation and entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty at an early date would be important in attaining the goal of a nuclear weapon free world. Ms. Moni said that the global disarmament agenda must not forget the dangers of small arms and light weapons. While working for the total elimination of all weapons of mass destruction, the Conference must continue its efforts to stop the proliferation of conventional weapons. Bangladesh also calls for an end to the inhumane and unauthorized use of anti-personnel landmines.


For use of the information media; not an official record

DC12/007E