Statement by Pakistan on Thematic Debate on Nuclear Weapons
Mr. Chair,
1. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.
2. The international nuclear landscape continues to be characterized by negative developments. Foremost among them is the failure of the largest nuclear weapon states, which have amassed several tonnes of fissile material and thousands of nuclear weapons, to comply with their nuclear disarmament obligations and commitments.
3. The nuclear weapons arsenals continue to be modernized. The prospects of resumption of nuclear testing by some states is back within the realm of possibility. The salience of nuclear weapons in military doctrines, and risks of escalation in conflicts is growing.
4. Despite several conceptual approaches, draft treaty texts, working papers, declarations, GA resolutions, exhortations from world leaders and civil society on achieving a nuclear weapons free world, this global priority has not seen progress at the multilateral level. In fact, we have witnessed regression in past few decades.
5. Several decades ago, the strategic implications of nuclear weapons had their own unique identity. Now with weaponization of new and emerging capabilities and their integration with nuclear domain, we are witnessing an exceedingly precarious security landscape.
6. Nuclear weapons also co-exist with new and advanced conventional arms. This requires a new approach to pursue nuclear disarmament which acknowledges the mutually reinforcing relationship of various weapon systems in tandem with nuclear weapons, and their collective impact on the security of states, particularly in situations of asymmetry in conventional and nuclear capabilities. Left unaddressed or pursued in isolation, the prospects for ending the nuclear arms race or pursuit of nuclear disarmament would remain only a utopia.
5. Similarly, it is important to recognize the varying context for states that possess nuclear weapons. For us, the development of these weapons was and remains solely guided by the imperatives of security and defence.
Mr. Chair,
6. We have once again heard the self-serving mantra of FMCT by some states. We see the messianic zeal to insist on cost free proposals such as quantitative capping of fissile material as “the next logical step”, while resisting inclusion of thousands of tonnes of fissile material stocks in the scope of international treaty.
7. Time to pursue this fundamentally flawed approach has long passed. A treaty which only results in a cut-off in the future production of fissile material would be a non-starter given that it would perpetuate asymmetries and will have no added value for nuclear disarmament. The inefficacy and duplicity of this approach is also laid bare, when states with so-called moratoria modernize and increase their nuclear arsenals. Or when states exercise double standards by engaging in nuclear cooperation with a country in South Asia that has amassed fissile material stockpiles outside safeguards.
8. Therefore, a realistic approach is required which recognizes the importance of developing consensus on a Fissile Materials Treaty that addresses asymmetries in existing stockpiles and results in equal and undiminished security for all states.
9. Until the realization of a world without nuclear weapons, negotiating a legal instrument on assuring non-nuclear weapon states against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons remains the most urgent task. An international convention on Negatives Security Assurances (NSAs) will help in reducing global nuclear risks and would have a transformational impact on creating a conducive international and regional security environment.
10. This year in March, Pakistan submitted a new Working Paper in the Conference on Disarmament (CD/2317) on NSAs. The Working Paper addresses questions on sufficiency and efficacy of unilateral declarations made by some states; it builds the case for credible and effective NSAs as an obligation under international law; elaborates how such a legally binding instrument will uphold the principles of undiminished and equal security; and proposes a framework for general and specific obligations.
11. During this session, Pakistan will also present its traditional draft resolution on NSAs, on behalf of a large number of co-sponsoring states. We look forward to its adoption with the widest possible support.
Mr. Chair,
12. Pakistan remains committed to the goal of a nuclear weapons free world that is achieved in a universal, verifiable and non-discriminatory manner. This goal can be best advanced by faithful implementation of the cardinal principles enshrined in SSOD-I i.e. the primary responsibility of military significant states, the pursuit of disarmament measures in an equitable and balanced manner to ensure that no individual or a group of states obtain advantages over others at any stage, and undiminished security at the lowest possible level of armaments. Towards this end, Pakistan reiterates its call for the commencement of negotiation on a comprehensive nuclear weapons convention without further delay.
I thank you.