Mr. President [Mr. Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramírez (Mexico)],
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon.
Let me begin by congratulating you, Mr. President, on your assumption as the President of the Second Meeting of the State Parties to the TPNW. My delegation commends you and your team, in stewarding our efforts for the preparations and lead up to this very important meeting.
Let me also express my delegations’ appreciation to Ambassador Alexander Kmentt of Austria for successfully guiding the First State Party Meeting in 2022, laying a strong foundation for our ongoing discussions.
Mr. President,
General and complete disarmament is a constitutional commitment for Bangladesh. Our Founding Father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in his historic maiden speech at the UN General Assembly in 1974, made a clarion call to free the world from the scourge of nuclear war. That forms the cornerstone of Bangladesh’s total and unwavering commitment and adherence to the general and complete disarmament especially nuclear disarmament.
Yet nuclear weapons continue to pose the most significant threat to humanity, and the consequences of their use are catastrophic. Our present and future generations live under the constant shadow of nuclear catastrophe. As the haunting lessons of Hiroshima and Nagasaki slip from memory, the presence of over 13,000 weapons worldwide amid escalating geopolitical tensions remains an imminent threat. We cannot afford to let the nuclear arsenals of a few states jeopardize the very existence of life on Earth.
Mr. President,
The historic milestone reached on 22nd January 2021, with the entry into force of the Treaty, signifies the culmination of a 75-year-long aspiration for a world free of nuclear weapons, offering a beacon of hope for humanity. We firmly believe that TPNW will make significant progress toward achieving the universally agreed goal of complete elimination of nuclear weapons. To that end, we urge all states to join the treaty which have not yet done so, to contribute to our collective commitment to building a safer and more secure world.
We strongly believe that the political declaration of this Meeting will act as a guiding document to fulfil our obligations for the success of the Treaty. My delegation underscores the imperative of its thorough implementation by all.
Mr. President,
Today, as we reiterate our commitment for the elimination of
nuclear weapons, I would like to make the following points:
First, let us make no mistake; the ultimate guarantee of security lies only in the total elimination of nuclear weapons. Our shared objective, as we convene here, is to eliminate nuclear weapons. The global community must unequivocally reject, the use of nuclear weapons while actively supporting the peaceful application of nuclear technology for the collective benefit of humanity.
Second, for the total abolition of nuclear weapons, the international community must recognize the devastating humanitarian and environmental consequences of nuclear weapons. We strongly emphasize that the use or threat of nuclear weapons constitutes a clear violation of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. We must stand against nuclear deterrence in military and security concepts, doctrines, and policies.
Third, in a world grappling with persistent and interlocking challenges in fulfilling basic human needs, allocating significant financial resources to modernize and expand nuclear arsenals is unjustifiable. Sadly, these resources could otherwise be better used to protect our planet and people, guarantee peace, and prevent conflicts.
Finally, the success of the treaty depends on its universality and effective implementation. We welcome the States that have recently signed or ratified the treaty. The presence of numerous Observer States and large number of civil society members today, underscores the shared responsibility of the international community in pursuing nuclear disarmament. We look forward to the meaningful outcome of this meeting and achieving progress within and beyond the TPNW framework. To that end, we should continue to engage constructively with all relevant parties.
Mr. President,
To conclude, let me remind that our work is far from over. We must step up and continue our efforts towards the goal of a peaceful and nuclear weapons free world. Bangladesh stands ready to play its part towards that goal.
I thank you, Mr. President.