New York - Information Office - 23 October 2019

The State of Qatar has reiterated its commitment to continue efforts towards elimination of nuclear weapons and non-proliferation to achieve security and stability in the region and the world.

This came in a statement by the delegation of the State of Qatar, delivered by Abdulrahman Salim Al Ali, member of the delegation of the State of Qatar participating in the First Committee of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly on the item "nuclear weapons".

The State of Qatar's statement noted that the international community's efforts to eliminate the threat posed by nuclear weapons to international peace and security have continued since the adoption of the first General Assembly resolution on disarmament, which was followed by the adoption of the document of the first special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament and the Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968.

"Given the inability to establish a specific time frame for nuclear disarmament and the implementation of article VI of the Treaty as a result of the insistence on the possession of nuclear weapons, the strict and full compliance with all the obligations contained in the international instruments on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation is a non-negotiable international legal obligation," the statement said. "

The State of Qatar's statement said that the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East contributes to the increased risks arising from tensions and conflicts in the region, noting that it is still the only region in the world that has not made progress on the denuclearization.

He stressed that complete and comprehensive nuclear disarmament would not be possible without the Middle East being free of nuclear weapons, as confirmed by the annual General Assembly resolution and the resolution of the Infinite Tide Conference and the 1995 Review of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which considered this issue to be one of the fundamental pillars of the tide deal of the Infinite Treaty.

Abdulrahman Salim Al Ali said that Qatar renews its support for holding a UN conference next November under the chairmanship of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on establishing a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution 546/73.

He stressed the importance of implementing the legal obligations of international conventions in the field of nuclear disarmament, the importance of responsible development of peaceful nuclear energy programs and adherence to comprehensive safeguards measures in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, in order to ensure the highest standards of safety and security in a world where nuclear proliferation is a big concern for all.