Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry confirmed Egypt’s support for the Conference on Disarmament in its efforts to overcome the paralysis that has been affecting it for more than two decades, pointing out Egypt’s firm position on the necessity of nuclear disarmament.
In a recorded speech during the high-level segment of the conference, the minister called on states with nuclear weapons to fulfill their obligations and commitments under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
He also reviewed efforts to rid the Middle East of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, pointing out that after more than 26 years after the adoption of the 1995 resolution on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, nuclear activities and installations in the region still exist.
These installations are not subject to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s comprehensive safeguards system, which represents a real imbalance in the non-proliferation regime at the regional and international levels.
Shoukry also stressed the importance of the commitment of the international community to support efforts to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, highlighting the success achieved by the first and second sessions of the UN conference on the matter and the new and serious opportunity that this track represents for the implementation of the 1995 resolution as well as the 2010 Action Plan.
The FM concluded his statement by stressing Egypt’s aspiration to make more contributions during the various meetings that are taking place on the disarmament agenda this year, foremost among which is the postponed tenth Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Egypt is looking forward to a consensus outcome document reflecting the vision of the global community on the matter and renewed confidence in the treaty.
He stressed that the fate of the UN’s multilateral disarmament mechanisms depended on the belief and support of all states for the purposes and objectives of disarmament.
Furthermore, Shoukry stressed that Egypt would remain at the forefront of countries working constructively in that direction and looked forward to cooperation and coordination with all member States of the Conference on Disarmament during its presidency of the Conference at its next session in 2023.
