UNGA 74,
Statement at the Security Council on non-proliferation,
Delivered by the Permanent Representative of Estonia, Ambassador Sven Jürgenson,
February 26, New York
Thank you, Mr President.
At the outset, I would like to commend the initiative of Germany to convene this important meeting on non-proliferation. The 50th anniversary of the NPT’s entry into force presents the Council an opportunity to express support for the Treaty and to assume collective responsibility for its future. I would also like to thank Ms Nakamitsu and Mr Zlauvinen for their informative briefings.
For 50 years, the NPT has been a key multilateral instrument of the global effort to pursue nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear energy. With 190 member states, the NPT is the agreement of greatest adherence in the field of arms control. The Treaty has significantly helped to contain the spread of nuclear weapons and reduce the numbers of stockpiled nuclear weapons from their Cold War peak. It has also provided a framework for the safe sharing of civil nuclear technology – such as for energy, medical and agricultural uses. We can all agree the NPT has made, and continues to make the world safer and more stable. There is no credible alternative to this Treaty.
However, we should not assume that the Treaty maintains its accomplishments and positive role without the active support for its implementation and compliance. The 10th Review Conference this year takes place against a complicated security environment and increasing international strain on the non-proliferation and disarmament architecture. Further progress of the implementation of the Treaty remains a challenge; non-compliance and risk of proliferation causing the most serious concerns.
The flagrant violations of the Security Council resolutions by the DPRK cannot be tolerated. Our objective m ust remain to have DPRK return to full and verifiable compliance with all its NPT obligations. Until then, sanctions must be enforced by all states.
Estonia is deeply concerned that Iran has taken steps that are inconsistent with its JCPOA commitments. We urge Iran to continue to abide strictly by all its nuclear-related commitments and return without delay to full compliance with the JCPOA. In that regard, we welcome the International Atomic Energy Agency’s efforts to monitor and verify Iran’s commitments.
Mr President,
Estonia shares the ultimate goal of a world without nuclear weapons and continues to advocate for the “Progressive Approach”, to be pursued in a realistic and responsible way in accordance with Article VI of the NPT. This approach takes account of the international security environment, without forgetting the concerns of the risks posed by nuclear weapons.
In this connection, the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty remains crucial for constraining new weapons development and the improvement of existent ones. We urge all States, particularly Annex II countries, to sign and ratify the Treaty without further delay.
Equally important practical measures include the immediate commencement of the negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament of a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons, work on risk reduction, dialogue on nuclear doctrines, and the reaffiarmation of existing Negative Security Assurances.
While we are conscious of the difficult and unpredictable security environment, we need to move forward on building trust, strengthening nuclear disarmament verification mechanisms and transparency on nuclear arsenals with a view to providing a pathway to further reductions of nuclear weapons stockpiles. To that end, we encourage the NPT Nuclear Weapons States to continue their work on all the issues mentioned above and increase their efforts to deliver outcomes.
Finally, the third pillar of the NPT and the role of the IAEA’s system in promoting the responsible development of peaceful applications of nuclear technology cannot be underestimated. To ensure the safe use of nuclear energy, it is important for all NPT States Parties to follow the highest safety and security standards. Estonia is committed to support the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund and its Technical Cooperation Programme.
Mr President,
The NPT is the foundation of global disarmament and non-proliferation regime. We have to do our utmost to uphold this major multilateral treaty of international security and stability. We hope that all States Parties will constructively and in good faith engage to identify common ground that would enable us to achieve a successful outcome at the 2020 Review Conference and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the NPT. There is more that unites than divides us. We have a collective responsibility to find that common ground.