Welcoming Successful Conclusion of Conference on Nuclear-Free Middle East Zone, Secretary-General Urges Participants to Continue Work Towards Future Treaty

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General welcomes the successful conclusion of the fourth session of the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction, which took place from 13 to 17 November at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

He commends the participating States of the Conference, under the Presidency of Libya, on their constructive engagement towards the elaboration of a future treaty and their commitment to multilateral diplomacy at a time of heightened tensions and the acute humanitarian crisis in the Middle East region.

He encourages them to continue their work during the intersessional period and supports their continuing efforts to pursue, in an open and inclusive manner, the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.