The risk of nuclear weapons use is real and it is crystal clear that as long as they exist, the world will never be a safer place, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) heard today, as it continued its wide-ranging general debate.
Amid rising geopolitical tensions and the peace and security architecture under unprecedented strain, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) has a key role in ensuring disarmament will be at the centre of broader multilateral efforts at this critical moment in history, the body heard today at the start of its 2023 general debate.
The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) elected Rytis Paulauskas (Lithuania) Chair on 1 June.
The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today approved its work programme f
Acting on the recommendations of its First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) and Sixth Committee (Legal), the General Assembly today adopted a total of 86 resolutions and 17 decisions on items ranging from the threat posed by nuclear weapons in a deteriorating international security environment to the restoration of confidence in the rule of law as a key element of multilateral and transitional justice.
The world is “on the brink of a third world war”, the Chairman of the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) said today upon conclusion of the body’s work for the session, reminding diplomats that they are, first and foremost, men and women of peace and pleading with them to “reignite the torch”.
The General Assembly would encourage Member States to better understand the impact of armed violence, in particular the impact of the illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons on women and girls, according to one of the 14 draft resolutions and one draft decision approved today by the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security).
The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security), having approved nearly 50 drafts thus far on nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, outer space (disarmament aspects), and conventional weapons, focused today on positions regarding other disarmament measures and international security, on which voting is set for Thursday, 3 November.
A draft resolution introduced by the Russian Federation entitled “Secretary-General’s Mechanism for Investigation of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons” drew intense debate in the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today and was ultimately defeated in a recorded vote.
The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today approved a wide-ranging draft resolution, entitled “Steps to building a common road map towards a world without nuclear weapons”, which drew extensive debate and 18 separate recorded votes for approval.
