New York, 29 April 2025

Mr. Chair,

[Allow me to begin by thanking all of those who have expressed their sympathies following the death of Pope Francis. In the course of his Pontificate, he never failed to raise his voice in support of the urgent call for disarmament.]

[At the outset,] my Delegation would like to congratulate you [Mr. Chair] on your appointment as Chair of the Third Preparatory Committee of the 2026 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

We live in a world increasingly marked by the erosion of international peace and security, widespread political instability, and a growing disregard for multilateralism and international law. Conflicts continue to erupt and to intensify in various regions, further exacerbating global tensions and human suffering, especially among those in the most vulnerable situations.

In these times of instability, my Delegation notes with deep concern that many States have turned to extensive rearmament in response to these challenges, including the expansion and modernization of nuclear arsenals. This troubling development, together with the increasingly strident rhetoric associated with it, are regrettably contributing to a deteriorating climate of mistrust and threat, and dangerously jeopardizing international peace and security.

The logic of fear and deterrence must not determine national defense policies or the way in which perceived security threats are addressed. Indeed, reliance on fear ultimately deepens mistrust, fuels division, and moves the international community further away from the pursuit of lasting and sustainable peace.

Mr. Chair,

My Delegation would like to contribute to this meeting by highlighting the following points for reflection:

First, international peace cannot rest on a false sense of security based on the threat of mutual destruction, total annihilation, or the fragile balance of military powers. There is a clear need to go beyond nuclear deterrence, to move past this illusory logic and to embrace the path of comprehensive disarmament, while definitively rejecting not only the use, but also the immoral possession of nuclear weapons.[1]

To achieve comprehensive disarmament and prevent the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that would result from the use of nuclear weapons, it is essential to resume genuine dialogue in order to establish binding limitations on the possession of these weapons and their delivery systems. In this regard, the Holy See urges all nuclear-armed States to fulfill their obligations under Article VI of the NPT by engaging in good faith negotiations to reduce their stockpiles.

Second, the international community has a moral responsibility to advance disarmament, particularly in light of the rapid evolution of delivery systems and cybertechnologies. These developments have introduced new dimensions of complexity to the risks associated with nuclear weapons, thereby raising concerns about the future conduct of warfare. Innovations such as hypersonic platforms, evasive trajectories, and unmanned submarine vehicles shorten decision-making windows and increase the risk of miscalculation or unintended use. The integration of cybertechnologies into nuclear command, control, communications and early warning systems introduces vulnerabilities that could be exploited. These concerns are exacerbated by the incorporation of autonomous components, prompting critical ethical, humanitarian, legal and security issues.

Third, as military expenditures continue to rise, there is an urgent need for the international community to find constructive ways and incentives to keep disarmament at the forefront of global priorities. It is crucial to generate momentum for the redirection of military spending towards the conversion, diversification and restructuring of military industries for peaceful purposes. In this regard, my Delegation reiterates the proposal to establish a global fund financed by the allocation of a part of the resources otherwise devoted to armaments and military expenditure. This fund could be dedicated to eradicating hunger and promoting development in the most impoverished regions of the world, offering a more compassionate and sustainable approach to addressing global inequalities and promoting human dignity.[2]

Mr. Chair,

Even as the winds of war blow with renewed force and fear threatens to overshadow peace and human fraternity, a world free of nuclear weapons is not only possible, but necessary. In this spirit, my Delegation encourages continued efforts to explore how the NPT and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) can serve to complement and reinforce one another, particularly in the areas of nuclear disarmament verification, environmental rehabilitation, and assistance to victims.

  Peace is not possible without true disarmament!

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[1] Cf. Pope Francis, Address on Nuclear Weapons, Peace Memorial (Hiroshima), 24 November 2019.

[2] Cf. Pope Paul VI, Encyclical Letter, Populorum progressio, n. 51.