General Debate of the UNGA 79th Session of the First Committee
Statement delivered by H.E. Mr. Rein Tammsaar, Permanent Representative of Estonia
New York, 10 October 2024
Thank you, Chair,
Allow me to congratulate you on assuming the Chairmanship of the 79th Session of the First Committee. I assure you of my delegation’s full support and cooperation. Estonia aligns itself with the statement of the European Union. In addition, I would like to make some remarks in my national capacity.
The First Committee takes place at increasingly challenging times – the number of violent armed conflicts continue to increase across the globe with international humanitarian law and human rights violations piling up. The Russian aggression against Ukraine is a major threat to the peace and security in Europe and in the world. Russian aggression undermines the global development and SDG-s, fuels the arms race and global military spending at the expense of peaceful development and international cooperation. As a result, also the gap between humanitarian funding needs and Member States’ donations continues to widen.
Estonia condemns Russia’s neocolonial imperialist war of aggression against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms and calls upon Russia to immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its troops, mercenaries and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders. Putin’s September 25 announcement on the upcoming revision of Russia’s nuclear doctrine is a continuation of the same nuclear saber rattling and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric we have seen since the start of the Russian aggression. Russia´s threats and actions are not compatible with its’ Security Council Permanent membership obligations.
Furthermore, Russia’s unprecedented and unlawful occupation of Ukraine´s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant for over two years has a direct negative effect on the nuclear security and safety in Ukraine, and it severely undermines European and global security and stability. Russia must immediately adhere to the UN General Assembly resolution adopted on the 11th of July and stop all activities that endanger the nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, and withdraw its’ troops from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
Estonia strongly condemns the voluntary irresponsible involvement of Iran, the DPRK and Belarus in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. This must stop immediately.
China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal with more warheads and a larger number of sophisticated delivery systems while still lacking overall transparency over its nuclear doctrine and policies. This does not build confidence nor reduce risks. Estonia calls on China to join future arms control agreements and to immediately take measures to improve transparency on its nuclear weapons and doctrine, to refrain from further build-up, and to pursue risk reduction measures. We also call upon China to stop acting as a decisive enabler of Russia´s war of aggression against Ukraine.
The Treaty of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons remains the cornerstone of the global regime for nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Estonia deeply regrets that due to Russia´s opposition, the 10th Review Conference of the NPT could not achieve consensus on an outcome document, and both the First and Second Session of the Preparatory Committee could not adopt a consensual report. Estonia shares the ultimate goal of a world without nuclear weapons and continues to advocate for the Progressive Approach, pursued in a realistic and responsible way.
Estonia supports all international efforts towards the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and urges all States, particularly the Annex II States, to sign and ratify the Treaty without further delay. We deeply deplore Russia´s revocation of its ratification of the CTBT. It is an irresponsible step undermining our collective efforts. Estonia supports starting negotiations on the Fissile-Material Cut-Off Treaty and calls on the nuclear weapon States to declare or maintain moratoria on the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices.
Estonia is deeply concerned by the continued alarming expansion of Iran’s nuclear programme and its lack of cooperation with the IAEA. As a result of Iran’s escalating nuclear trajectory, the risk of a nuclear proliferation crisis in the region is increasing. We call on Iran to reverse its alarming nuclear trajectory and return to its commitments in the field of nuclear non-proliferation. Iran´s growing support to Russia´s aggression against Ukraine means direct responsibility in war crimes. We condemn the Iranian missile attacks against Israel and call for Iran and its’ proxies to stop sowing instability and terror in the Middle East.
The DPRK’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs continue to threaten international and regional peace and security and are a matter of grave concern. Estonia strongly condemns the DPRK’s continued development of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia, which flagrantly violates multiple UN Security Council resolutions. Vetoing the extension of the mandate of the Panel of Experts for the UN Security Council’s 1718 Committee in April is yet another example how Russia is trying to cover the illegal actions of its “geopolitical” client states. In spite of these desperate attempts Russia has not been able to hide evidence of its growing dependence from large scale arms purchases from the DPRK and their growing military cooperation. We call on the DPRK to return to compliance with the NPT and its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA, and to sign and ratify an Additional Protocol thereto.
We condemn the brutal attacks by the terrorist organization Hamas against Israel, express our unwavering commitment to Israel’s right to self-defense and security and call for the immediate release of remaining hostages. At the same time, we want to point out that both the immediate response to these heinous attacks as well as finding a long-term solution to the crisis in the Middle East should be conducted in full conformity with the International Law, International Humanitarian Law in particular, with the protection of civilians being imperative.
To conclude, Estonia is determined to contribute to the global efforts to strengthen the international law and multilateralism with the UN at its core, including through implementation of existing disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation instruments.
Thank you, Chair.