Statement at the Thematic Discussion on Nuclear Weapons
in the First Committee of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
New York, 17 October 2023
Mr. Chair,
The Holy See is glad to join the discussion on the urgent need to advance progress on nuclear disarmament at a time when the risk of nuclear war becomes again a reality. Regrettably, the international community has collectively moved in the wrong direction, discarding important treaties on arms control, disarmament and transparency and with the international disarmament machinery remaining in deadlock.
In this regard, the Holy See expresses disappointment at the increased levels of polarization and mistrust at the First Session of the Preparatory Commission for the 11th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). At a time when flexibility is most needed, the lack of a chair’s summary will be detrimental in working towards consensus at the next Review Conference in 2026. At this stage, the Holy See calls on all States Parties to spare no effort to reverse the current downward spiral of arms control and disarmament policies and to rededicate themselves to renewing arms reduction mechanisms leading toward the total elimination of nuclear weapons.
Furthermore, my delegation regrets the continued inability of the Conference on Disarmament to adopt a program of work and the failure of the UN Disarmament Commission to reach consensus on “recommendations for achieving the objective of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons”.[1] In response to these stumbling blocks, it is imperative to recall the responsibility under the Charter for Member States, especially those with nuclear weapons, “to take effective collective measures for the preservation and removal of threats to peace”,[2] a responsibility that must extend to the elimination of nuclear weapons, given their catastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequences. A responsibility that must guide a “dialogue that is truly directed to the common good and not to the protection of veiled or particular interests; such dialogue, as far as possible, should include all: nuclear states, countries which do not possess nuclear weapons, the military and private sectors, religious communities, civil societies, and international organizations”.[3]
Mr. Chair,
The Holy See renews its unequivocal condemnation of all rhetoric that threatens the use of nuclear weapons. Such threats increase tensions and elevate the risk of both intentional and unintentional use, placing humanity at the precipice of calamity. Working toward a world free from nuclear weapons leaves no space for such rhetoric, nor for nuclear explosive testing, which can lead to serious danger for various forms of life on earth. In light of such dangers, my delegation commends efforts to assist victims of nuclear testing, as well as those aimed at precluding a return to testing.
Mr. Chair,
Amid the dark clouds of growing conflict and escalatory rhetoric, there is ample space for hope. In this regard, the Holy See looks forward to the convening of the Second Meeting of States Parties (2MSP) of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and hopes for widespread participation among those not yet party to the treaty. It is the desire of my delegation that the 2MSP adopt an ambitious program of work, building upon the Vienna Action Plan and providing a lodestar for the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.
Likewise, the Holy See welcomes the rich deliberations held at the NPT Working Group on Further Strengthening the Review Process. While a substantive outcome remained out of reach, my delegation is confident that such deliberations will eventually bear fruit in producing concrete steps that result in more effective treaty implementation. While slow going, efforts to promote genuine dialogue on the basis of consensus sow the seeds of trust that may underpin future arms control and disarmament instruments.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
[1] United Nations, Report of the Disarmament Commission for 2023, 27 April 2023, A/78/42.
[2] United Nations, Charter of the United Nations, 24 October 1945, 1 UNTS XVI.
[3] Pope Francis, Message to the United Nations Conference to Negotiate a Legally Binding Instrument to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons, Leading Towards Their Total Elimination, 23 March 2017.