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Preventing catastrophe: A global agenda for stopping the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by non-State actors

On December 15, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN gave an intervention during the Security Council Open Debate dedicated to “Preventing Catastrophe: A global agenda for stopping the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) by non-State Actors.”   

In its statement, the Holy See said that the increasing involvement of non-State actors in wars and conflicts, particularly through the use of weapons of mass destruction, has had horrendous effects in terms of deaths, injuries and a crisis of refugees in flight from devastation. The Holy See reiterated its firm opposition to the production and use of WMDs, which are against all international humanitarian law. Strengthening relevant laws and conventions to prevent the sale or gifting of arms to unstable countries and regions is needed. There is also a need for a new global ethic addressing the wider security, political, economic and cultural dynamics that lead State and non-State actors toward the production of weapons rather than toward development and respect for human rights. Without a commitment to non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament and to controlling and limiting the production and movement of WMDs, the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will be seriously undermined.

The statement can be found here.