Madam President, allow me to thank you for organizing this thematic panel discussion under agenda item 2, Prevention of nuclear war, including all related matters. Let me also thank the panelists for the historical overview and their thought-provoking presentations.

In addition to the statement by the European Union and the joint statement by Ukraine, I would like to contribute to the interactive discussion with some remarks and a question to the panel in my national capacity.

Madam President, as recently as 7 December last year the General Assembly voted with 171 to 3 and 8 abstentions in favour of the resolution co-sponsored by Canada, Germany and the Netherlands, urging the Conference on Disarmament to immediately commence negotiations on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices on the basis of document CD/1299 and the mandate contained therein.

So far this has not happened and worse, nobody in this room expected something to happen. In the current geopolitical climate, with increased tensions and risks, this is of great concern to my capital and I hope to all member states represented in this room.

Mrs. Emmanuelle Maître referred to it in her presentation, thirty years have now lapsed since the adoption of the consensus resolution by the UN General Assembly recommending the negotiation of a treaty banning the production of fissile material. What can we do to break the deadlock? A lot has been said about this. Time has come to move from words to deeds. So, what can we do and what can we do now?

What I am going to say is not new, something that is next to impossible after thirty years, but Madam President, please allow me to propose three steps on a way forward out of the deadlock.

1. The Nuclear Weapon States under the NPT have a special responsibility to live up to. So far, four out of five have declared a moratorium on the production of fissile material, so we call upon China to do the same. It is all about political will, it can be done, and it can be done here and why not today? Thus, the P5 would set an example for others who have not yet done so, to follow their example.
2. Furthermore, to create the necessary climate among nations for nuclear disarmament, we need to intensify our work towards increased transparency on both doctrines and nuclear arsenals. It helps also to establish a common ground for dialogue and negotiation. We also need to think about strengthening verification. The proverb “Trust, but verify’’ has been overtaken by events, but what about ‘’Verify to rebuild trust’’?
3. Finally, why try to sort out all outstanding issues before opening negotiations on a treaty banning the production of fissile material? Why can’t we start negotiations and try to solve these issues during negotiations? It has been done before, why not do it again: “Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.” This was said more than sixty years ago, to be precise on January 20th, 1961, but still valid in 2023.

Madam President, may I invite the panellists and delegates in the room to give their views on such a way forward and thank you for giving me the floor.