Mr. Chairman,
At the outset, I would like to congratulate Mr. Gustavo Zlauvinen, on assuming the Chair of the 2022 NPT Review Conference. Let me assure you of our full support and cooperation in fully implementing your mandate.
Despite the challenges that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) has been facing, it undoubtedly remains a key cornerstone of the international security architecture and global non-proliferation regime. Kazakhstan has been a firm supporter of all the three pillars of the Treaty, standing for their equally effective and fair implementation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has cruelly demonstrated the lethal blow it can inflict, together with challenges of other phenomena with equally devastating effects on humanity. Yet, the threat of nuclear weapons is the deadliest of all, to avert which, the United Nations was founded in 1945. However, this dread has persisted until now, with the UN seeking desperately to eliminate nuclear weapons, but with limited success.
The continuing and growing distrust is observed between nuclear and non-nuclear countries over the effectiveness and unconditional binding character of international agreements. However, the most dangerous factor is the lack of confidence between nuclear powers themselves, leading us to a new round of a nuclear arms race in the future. The NPT was adopted precisely to prevent such foreboding developments.
In this sense, dialogue and cooperation between nuclear-weapon states are more important than ever before to reduce tensions and the risk of escalation. We urge P5 to positively consider concrete measures proposed by the Stockholm Initiative to advance nuclear disarmament and ensure that, in the interest of humanity, nuclear weapons will never be used again.
The decision Kazakhstan made thirty years ago on 29 August 1991, to close the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site contributed to raising the awareness of necessity to eliminate nuclear weapons. Shortly thereafter, other nuclear test sites followed Semipalatinsk’s lead. This paved the way for the adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) five years later after the closure of the Semipalatinsk test site.
We believe that a voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing observed by the nuclear powers, though an important factor of nuclear security, cannot serve as an alternative to a legally-binding document, such as the CTBT. The early entry into force of this Treaty is essential for effectively implementing the NPT. Therefore, we once again call on remaining Annex II States to ratify the Treaty.
Kazakhstan will do its utmost in its capacity as the Chair of the First Committee of the forthcoming 77th session of the UN General Assembly. We will endeavor to facilitate important discussions on the issues of disarmament, as well as global challenges and threats to peace that are impacting global growth and development.
We welcome successful outcomes of the First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) held recently in Vienna. We hope that decisions of the TPNW MSP1 motivated by our political will and deep commitment will contribute for the goal of general and complete nuclear disarmament, which is essential for effectively implementing the NPT. Kazakhstan will preside over the Third Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW and will work tirelessly to achieve our long-cherished aspirations towards a world free from nuclear weapons.
Mr. Chairman,
I also take this opportunity to note that the Universal Declaration on the Achievement of a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World, initiated by Kazakhstan, was adopted by the General Assembly in 2015, and reconfirmed in December 2018 and 2021. The majority of UN Member States have consistently voted in its favor, and I would like to thank all delegations who have supported this Declaration.
The issues of Nuclear-Weapon-Free zones are of increasing importance for Kazakhstan. With our regional neighbors, we created in 2006 a Nuclear-Weapon-Free zone in Central Asia. The relevant Treaty, known as The Semipalatinsk Treaty, marked its 15th Anniversary last year. We express hope that the United States will sign the Protocol on negative security assurances to this Treaty as soon as possible.
We firmly support the further expansion of such zones in other geographic regions, including the Middle East, North-East Asia and Europe.
Mr. Chairman,
Finally, I would like to point out the third pillar of the NPT, namely, the peaceful use of nuclear energy. By establishing the IAEA Low-Enriched Uranium Bank on its territory in 2017, Kazakhstan has made another significant contribution towards our common goal of safe and reliable use of uranium for peaceful purposes.
To conclude, we stress the need for strong political commitment to secure a Nuclear-Weapon Free world despite the current challenges. The beacon of hope should still keep shining, and now allowed to go dim. It is all the more, during these turbulent times for the region and the globe, that we must spare no efforts for peace and implement our solemn commitments.
Kazakhstan will make every effort to ensure that we achieve the anticipated success we hope from this Review Conference. We stand steadfast to uphold and implement the NPT as the sure course towards total nuclear abolition, and non-proliferation of WMDs.
Thank you.