Statement by Dr. Md. Monwar Hossain, Deputy Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in New York at the 2023 substantive session of the UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC), 03 April 2022 at CR-3, UNHQs

Mr. Chair,

My delegation joins others in congratulating you on your assumption of the Chair and other members of the bureau of the 2023 substantive session of the UNDC. We are confident that under your able stewardship, we will have a productive session.

My delegation assures you and the bureau of our full support.

Bangladesh aligns itself with the statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Allow me to share our national position:

Bangladesh expresses its deep concern over the current difficult and complex situation in the field of disarmament and international security. The increasingly unstable global security environment underscores the urgent need to revitalize the entire disarmament machinery, including the UNDC.

My delegation recognizes and attaches great importance to the work of the UNDC as the sole deliberative body with universal membership in building consensus on crucial issues related to general and complete disarmament, including nuclear disarmament.

It is our hope that we will collectively be able to prepare consolidated draft reports of both working groups and their adoption during this third and final year of the current cycle of the UNDC. To that end, we urge all Member States, in particular Nuclear Weapon States (NWS), to show genuine political will and flexibility.

Mr. Chair,

The UN envisioned a world free of nuclear weapons in its very first resolution. Sadly, the promise of disarmament remains elusive. Our present and future generations continue to live under the constant fear of nuclear catastrophe. We must be united against the perpetual holding of nuclear weapons by a handful of states in total disregard of the safety and security of humanity.

Bangladesh’s commitment to general and complete disarmament is total and unwavering. It is our constitutional obligation and remains a fundamental tenet of our peace-centric foreign policy objectives. Guided by this principle, we firmly believe that the ultimate guarantee of international peace and security lies in the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

It was from that conviction that we ratified the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).  We welcome the First Meeting of States Parties in 2022, which adopted a political declaration and an action plan. We would like to see, as a matter of priority, its full implementation by all, including the Nuclear-Weapon- States.

 

Mr. Chair,

We consider NPT as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and the fundamental foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. We call upon all Nuclear Weapon States to fulfil their commitments made at the 1995, 2000 and 2010 Review Conferences of the Treaty without any delay.

My delegation expresses deep disappointment over the consecutive failure of the 9th and the 10th NPT Review Conferences to adopt a consensual outcome document. We reiterate our call to the Nuclear Weapons States to demonstrate strong resolve to enable the 11th Review Conference, to produce a meaningful, tangible and sustainable outcome to further strengthen the NPT regime.

We reaffirm the inalienable right of each Member State to pursue peaceful uses of nuclear energy in compliance with the relevant safety, safeguard and security measures. In our national context, we remain committed to further deepening our existing cooperation with the IAEA in enhancing our capacity for such compliance.

Mr. Chair,

We share our profound frustration and concerns over the prolonged state of paralysis of the Conference on Disarmament (CD) as the sole multilateral disarmament negotiating body.  The protracted deadlock in the CD reflects lack of political will of the States. This situation must be addressed carefully and urgently.

We urge member states to intensify their efforts towards achieving the rapid entry into force of the CTBT and its universal adherence, particularly by Nuclear Weapon States (NWS). Additionally, we call upon all member states to commence negotiations in the CD on a FMCT.

 

Mr. Chair,

In today’s world, space assets have transformed the way we live and outer space systems are vital for understanding and solving global problems, such as implementation of SDGs and climate action. It is therefore imperative that all activities in the outer space be done in accordance with international law. We reaffirm our call to have a legally binding and multilaterally verifiable instrument on PAROS.

Bangladesh emphasizes the inalienable right of all Member States to exploration and use of outer space exclusively for peaceful purposes. [And] from that conviction, we have become member of COPUOS. We believe states, regardless of their level of capacity in space science, ought to be able to bring their perspectives and concerns when defining the future rules for the outer space.

We also highlight the importance of capacity-building for developing countries in reducing disparities in terms of access to outer space as a common heritage of mankind.

 

Mr. Chair,

We are confident that, under your able stewardship, this UNDC session will produce desired outcome to advance global disarmament and non-proliferation.

I thank you.