1C: Thematic debate - other weapons of mass destruction

Statement delivered by Senior Adviser Maria Hunskaar in the thematic debate on other weapons of mass destruction.

Chair,

As global tensions rise, we are confronted with a complex set of interconnected threats and risks to international peace and security. This places increasing pressure on our existing security architecture, making it more critical than ever to uphold established norms for maintaining international peace and stability.

Addressing the rising challenges does not mean stifling economic, social, or scientific progress. The peaceful application of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials and technologies plays a vital role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. These technologies contribute significantly to promoting peace, improving health, fostering prosperity, and combating climate change. Norway firmly recognizes that the responsible and peaceful use of such science and technology is an inalienable right of all states.

Through the full and effective implementation of the chemical and biological weapons conventions, the NPT and IAEA safeguards, as well as Security Council Resolution 1540, states can gain access to materials and technologies, while ensuring that they are not diverted for non-peaceful purposes.

The importance of effective and transparent export controls cannot be overstated. Such controls are vital to two key objectives: preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and enabling peaceful cooperation and trade in sensitive goods and technologies. By ensuring that transfers of these materials are solely used for their intended peaceful purposes, we bolster global security. (Norway supports The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Zangger Committee, the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement.)

Strong partnerships with civil society, the private sector, scientific communities, and other stakeholders are also key. It is the sum of all our efforts that help us build prosperous societies, free from weapons of mass destruction.

Chair

It is with deep concern we note the resurgence of chemical weapons. The use of Chloropicrin and Riot Control Agents as methods of warfare flagrantly violates the Chemical Weapons Convention. The frequency of Russia’s chemical attacks against Ukrainian forces is reportedly increasing, as is the variety of chemical munitions that Russian forces are using on the battlefield. Such blatant assaults on international law should concern all of us and deserve our strongest condemnation.

We continue to urge the Russian Federation to conduct a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the poisoning of Mr. Alexei Navalny, share the findings of the investigation with states parties to the CWC and bring those responsible to justice.

The OPCW and the UN have attributed nine instances of use of chemical weapons to Syrian authorities and two instances to the so-called Islamic State. We remain deeply concerned about the continued failure of the Syrian Arab Republic to close the 20 outstanding issues from its initial declaration on its chemical weapons programme.

Norway remains steadfastly confident in the work of the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW and its Director General. We firmly reject any attempts to discredit their important work.

Chair,

Let me underline the importance of upholding the independence of the UN Secretary General’s Mechanism for the investigation of alleged uses of chemical, biological or toxin weapons. Its impartiality and independence are essential. The Secretary General has ample opportunity to update the guidelines for the mechanism, should he see the need. Norway therefore sees no reason for member states to initiate an update procedure. We would further underscore the need to properly resource, equip and operationalize the mechanism.  

Chair,

Let me end on a positive note.

We welcome the first Open briefing held by the 1540 Committee in New York this month. The 2022 renewal of the mandate was a welcome example of Council consensus on non-proliferation issues. We must continue to promote its effective implementation if we are to tackle the threat posed by non-state actors.

The BWC Working Group provides us with a unique opportunity to make real and meaningful progress to strengthen the Convention. We must accelerate efforts to act on our mandate. This includes the creation of mechanisms to review scientific and technological developments, and to promote international cooperation and assistance. Next year is the 50th anniversary of the Convention. Let’s mark this milestone by hosting a Special Conference to formalize agreements and build a more robust institutional framework.

Thank you