Secretary-General Commends ‘Constructive Engagement’ towards Future Treaty on Nuclear-Weapon-Free Middle East

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

The Secretary-General welcomes the successful conclusion of the fifth 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 18 to 22 November at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The work of this Conference is critical to building a more peaceful future for all people — in the Middle East and around the world.  The Secretary-General commends the participating States of the Conference, under the presidency of Mauritania, on their constructive engagement towards the elaboration of a future treaty and their commitment to diplomacy and multilateral solutions at a time of ongoing heightened tensions and the acute humanitarian crisis in the Middle East region.

He encourages the participating States to continue working constructively 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.  He congratulates Morocco, with best wishes for success, on its endorsement as the President of the sixth session.