The challenges and prospects of regional security architecture in Europe, Middle East and East Asia were in focus as the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) continued its general debate today, with delegates presenting contrasting views on nuclear deterrence, non-proliferation and the humanitarian dimensions of nuclear weapons.
Conflicts and wars in various parts of the world have consequences that extend far beyond their regions, with their impact felt globally, particularly when international waterways are threatened, several representatives told the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) during today’s general debate.
At a time when many States warn that the global disarmament architecture is failing, an area of convergence emerged during the First Committee’s (Disarmament and International Security) general debate today: countries across geopolitical divides increasingly agree that humans, not algorithms, must retain ultimate control over the use of force.
Nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, challenges to international peace and security, geopolitical tensions and armed conflicts, as well as possible threats from artificial intelligence, remained central topics of the general debate today in the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security).
Speakers lamented the failure to reach consensus on non-nuclear proliferation and small arms treaties as well as the uptick in related rhetoric, also condemning the continuous brutal attacks on civilian architecture in Ukraine, as the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) continued its general debate today. Underscoring the cornerstone status of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the representative of the Philippines stressed that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is also a historic milestone, complementing other nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation instruments.
The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today approved its programme of work and opened the general debate, with speakers stressing the need to abide by nuclear non-proliferation and similar arms treaties, as well as to create nuclear-weapon-free zones.
Nuclear risks persist, arms-control arrangements are under pressure and new technologies are transforming the character and speed of conflict, Khalilur Rahman, President of the UN General Assembly, told the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today, as it began its general debate.
The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) elected Lok Bahadur Thapa (Nepal) Chair on 2 June.
The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today failed to approve its work programme for the eighty-first session, but held a debate on revitalization of the the Gemeral Assembly’s work as well as programme planning.
Pursuant to its veto initiative, speakers in the General Assembly today weighed in on the vetoes recently cast by China and the Russian Federation concerning a Security Council resolution that would have extended the mandate of the Panel of Experts tasked with monitoring implementation of United Nations sanctions on Iran.
