1C: National Statement - General Debate

Statement delivered by Permanent Representative Ambassador Merete Fjeld Brattested in the General Debate of The First Committee

Ambassador Chan, congratulations on your election. We are pleased to see a woman chairing this committee again. Only two women have had that position – yourself and my colleague Mona Juul 18 years ago. It is a reminder of the work that remains to ensure the full and meaningful participation of women, youth and diverse groups in disarmament diplomacy.

UN Security Council resolution 1325 recognises the vital importance of women’s participation in the maintenance of international peace and security. It recognises that armed conflict affects women and men differently. We know that arms and weapons of mass destruction have gender-differentiated impacts. Disarmament and arms control intersect with all four pillars of the women, peace and security agenda: participation, protection, prevention, and relief and recovery.

Congratulations are also in order to Nihon Hidankyo. They were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 for their tireless and influential work to ensure that successive generations never forget the horrors of nuclear war and that nuclear weapons are never used again. 

Chair,

The global security environment is under immense pressure. The past three years were the most violent in three decades, according to analysis by the Peace Research Centre in Oslo. The work of the First Committee is as urgent as ever.

Russia must end its illegal, unprovoked and brutal war of aggression in Ukraine. We deplore Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, its stationing of nuclear weapons in Belarus and the suspension of its participation in the New START Treaty. We are horrified by Russia’s use of chemical weapons in Ukraine.

The conflicts in the Middle East are closely interlinked. All parties must now contribute to de-escalation and ceasefires, in Gaza as in Lebanon. Military force alone cannot solve any of the conflicts in the region. We need lasting political solutions.

Chair,

The NPT remains the cornerstone of our efforts on disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses. Any use of nuclear weapons would have global ramifications. The humanitarian and environmental consequences would be catastrophic. Yes, it is in the interest of the very survival of humanity that nuclear weapons never be used again. A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. The consequences for humanity itself should guide our efforts for nuclear disarmament. We remain committed to work for a world free of nuclear weapons.

Indeed, the Pact for the future recommits us all to the goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons. We must persist in our efforts to reduce the risks and to pave the way for future disarmament and arms control agreements. We call on Russia and China to engage in a substantial dialogue on nuclear arms control and risk reduction measures. This is all the more pressing in light of China’s rapid and non-transparent nuclear weapons build-up, and Russia’s irresponsible nuclear conduct.

Norway will continue to promote work that can progress the nuclear disarmament agenda and prepare us for the future. Nuclear disarmament verification (NDV) is a case in point. Two UN Groups of Governmental Experts on NDV have successfully adopted consensus reports, in 2019 and 2023. Together with Brazil we are tabling a new resolution continuing the work on NDV and the proposal for a Group of Scientific and Technical Experts (GSTE) within the UN. We welcome support and engagement from all states.

Chair,

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and its international monitoring system are key to achieving nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. We deeply regret Russia’s decision to withdraw its ratification last year. As co-president of the Article XIV-process with Panama, Norway is convinced that the universalization and entry-into-force of the CTBT is in the national interest of all states. It is long overdue. We urge those who have not ratified the treaty to do so without delay, particularly the Annex II-states.

The absence of a treaty on fissile materials for nuclear weapons, with effective verification measures, is a gaping hole in the path to nuclear disarmament. The Conference on Disarmament (CD) was on the threshold of starting negotiations 29 years ago. Let us mark 30 years with progress, at last.

Chair,

We are alarmed by the weapons transfers to Russia from the DPRK and Iran, as well as the extensive exports of dual use items from China. This only serves to prolong Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, and is truly destabilizing. 

Norway urges the DPRK to abandon its nuclear and ballistic programmes completely, verifiably and irreversibly and to agree to meaningful negotiations towards this end.

We are deeply concerned by Iran’s lack of cooperation with the IAEA. We urge Iran to return to compliance with its nuclear-related commitments.

Chair,

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) are foundations in our non-proliferation architecture. Some states seek to undermine them through disinformation campaigns, obstructionism and blatant violations. Russia’s reported use of Riot Control Agents and chloropicrin as methods of warfare in Ukraine, is abhorrent. We must push firmly back. Norway reiterates its firm support to the OPCW’s Technical Secretariat, and the UN Secretary General’s Mechanism. We encourage all states to actively participate in the ongoing Working Group Meetings in Geneva to strengthen the BTWC.

Norway remains committed to the prevention of an arms race in outer space. We staunchly support the Outer Space Treaty and its principles. Space must remain a peaceful, safe, stable, secure and sustainable environment, accessible to all. Elaborating norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviour is key.

Chair,

All States have agreed that international law is applicable and essential to maintaining peace, security, and stability in cyberspace. We must continue to expand on how international law applies in cyberspace, and cooperate to strengthen compliance with the globally agreed framework.

Chair,

Humans must retain accountability and control over the development and use of autonomous weapons systems. Effective regulation to that end is necessary. Systems that cannot be used in accordance with international law must be prohibited. Norway remains committed to this two-tiered approach. The GGE on LAWS is tasked to formulate elements of an instrument to this end. We must support and complement its work.

Chair,

Anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions have unacceptable humanitarian consequences. Clearance of explosives and destruction of stockpiles has saved countless lives and allowed productive use of previously contaminated land.  Upholding the norms of the conventions banning these weapons is crucial.  

The manner in which wars are fought matters. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas has significant humanitarian consequences. The civilian suffering in Gaza, in Ukraine and Sudan (to name just a few) are stark reminders. The EWIPA declaration is an important step in strengthening international humanitarian law and improving how we conduct our military operations. We encourage our fellow states to endorse the declaration.

Finally, chair, we strongly support the universalisation of The Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC), which contributes to transparency and confidence building on ballistic technology development.

Thank you.