Norway is committed to the goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons. The NPT is the cornerstone of our common efforts on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses. Norway is working for its universalisation and full implementation, and urges all states parties to work towards these goals at the 10th Review Conference.
As a member of the Stockholm Initiative, we are pleased by the growing number of alignments of NPT states parties to its recommendations.
Nuclear disarmament verification enables future progress on nuclear disarmament. We are encouraged that this work is gaining momentum, and look forward to the upcoming GGE on this issue.
Chair,
Norway is advocating the rapid entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the negotiation and conclusion of a fissile material cut-off treaty. The Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements and the Additional Protocol constitute the global verification standard, enabling the IAEA to monitor and report on compliance with obligations under the NPT.
Norway is gravely concerned about the DPRK’s stated intentions and continued efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction. We urge the DPRK to abandon its nuclear and ballistic programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, and to re-commit to meaningful negotiations towards this end.
Iran’s lack of cooperation seriously affects the IAEA’s ability to provide credible assurance of the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. Furthermore, ongoing research and development of enrichment and other capabilities have irreversible consequences. We urge Iran to return to full compliance with the JCPOA and to cooperate fully with the IAEA on all its safeguards obligations.
Chair,
We welcome the decision by Russia and the United States to extend the New START treaty, and to resume strategic stability dialogue. Norway supports broadening the participation and scope of such discussions.
Chair,
Norway is appalled by the recurrent use of chemical weapons. Any breach of the global prohibition is unacceptable.
We regret that the Russian Federation has not answered calls to thoroughly and transparently investigate the assassination attempt on Alexei Navalny.
We remain deeply concerned about the continued failure of the Syrian Arab Republic to close the outstanding issues from its initial declaration on its chemical weapons programme.
Norway reiterates its full support for the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW and its Director-General.
The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention remains a crucial pillar of the global disarmament architecture. We are concerned about its difficult financial situation.
Chair,
Cyberspace is increasingly becoming an arena for conflict. Malicious cyber operations by states and non-state actors have increased in scope, scale, severity, and sophistication.
However, the consensus reports of the Open-Ended working Group and of the Governmental Group of Experts demonstrate the commitment of all UN Member States to uphold the international rules-based order in cyberspace.
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Norway remains committed to preventing an arms race in space in order to maintain it as a peaceful, safe, stable, secure and sustainable environment, accessible to all. Therefore, we support the establishment of an Open Ended Working Group on responsible state behaviour as proposed by the United Kingdom.
Chair,
The Mine Ban Convention has been hugely successful. However, there is a worrying increase in the use of improvised landmines. The Lausanne Action Plan for the Convention on Cluster Munitions is an excellent guide to our work in the next review cycle.
Norway continues to support efforts towards effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty in order to establish universal norms for a responsible international arms trade.
Chair,
We underline the importance of including a gender perspective in all arms control efforts, and support the integration of the WPS Agenda into this field.
Chair,
Norway strongly supports the universalisation of The Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC). As more states develop space programs, and ballistic technology continues to proliferate, HCoC contributes to transparency and confidence building.