Statement by H.E. Gary Quinlan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative
of Australia to the United Nations Disarmament Commission General Debate, as delivered on 29 March 2010.
(as delivered)
Mr Chairman
Australia has a long history of activism on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and conventional arms control issues. We have adopted a multi-dimensional approach and are active supporters of the work done in the United Nations and other multilateral bodies to strengthen the existing regimes and to bring into force new, complementary agreements needed to address future disarmament and proliferation challenges.
Multilateral engagement, particularly with the United Nations, is a key pillar of our foreign policy and we believe that the Disarmament Commission plays an important role in discussing crucial international security issues, particularly this year ahead of a very busy agenda.
Mr Chairman
Nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation are inextricably linked. Preventing the spread of nuclear weapons creates an environment conducive to nuclear disarmament, while progress on disarmament sends positive messages to countries that have chosen not to develop nuclear weapons.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime. It is crucial that the upcoming NPT Review Conference achieves strong outcomes which will strengthen the treaty and reaffirm its central role – one that has delivered global security benefits for 37 years.
Forging agreement at the Review Conference on practical outcomes under each of the NPT’s three pillars – disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy – would represent substantive progress towards the ultimate goal of a nuclear weapons-free world. It is imperative that the disappointing outcome of the 2005 Review Conference be avoided at all costs.
Australia wants the Review Conference to reaffirm the commitments made under the treaty and at previous Review Conferences. These include the Principles and Objectives for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament adopted at the 1995 NPT Review Conference and the Thirteen Practical Steps agreed at the 2000 Review Conference – updated in light of contemporary circumstances, where required.
As our own contribution Australia and Japan have developed a package of practical disarmament and non-proliferation measures for the NPT Review Conference. The joint package includes a renewed call on nuclear-armed states to immediately begin reducing the number and strategic role of their nuclear arsenals, and work towards the ultimate goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons. It also urges states to negotiate other complementary agreements and commit to further practical measures which would strengthen the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. In consultation with other partners, Australia and Japan will work to ensure that this package is embodied in the final document of the Review Conference.
Australia and Japan have also established the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament which has recently issued its independent report, based on consensus of its 15 international commissioners. The report contains timely recommendations to reinvigorate global disarmament and non-proliferation efforts for consideration by governments in the lead-up to the NPT Review Conference.
Mr Chairman
With respect to action on nuclear disarmament, Australia welcomes the steps taken by the nuclear-weapon states, and calls on all states possessing nuclear weapons to pursue negotiations on nuclear disarmament – bilaterally or multilaterally, or both.
We welcome advice that the United States and Russia have reached agreement on the terms of a follow-on agreement to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. Australia applauds the leadership on disarmament demonstrated by Russia and the United States. This is a strong signal of commitment. We hope all the nuclear-weapon states make such commitments for irreversible and verifiable disarmament of all types of nuclear weapons.
Mr Chairman
Australia considers that balanced and progressive steps towards nuclear disarmament – notably a fissile material cut-off treaty (FMCT) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) – are vital to the continued political strength and vitality of the NPT.
We are deeply disappointed that the Conference for Disarmament (CD) has been unable to commence negotiations for a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons. An FMCT – capping the production of weapons-grade fissile material at current levels – is an important step towards creating an environment conducive to universal nuclear disarmament. We will continue to urge all members of the CD to adopt a working plan to place priority on the immediate negotiation of a verifiable FMCT.
The CTBT is another crucial international agreement which complements existing disarmament and non-proliferation regimes.
Entry into force of the CTBT is also paramount. We welcomed sponsorship by all the NPT Nuclear Weapon States of the CTBT resolution in the 64th UN General Assembly, calling for early entry into force of the treaty. Co-sponsorship by the five states sent a strong normative signal about the importance of this treaty. We also welcomed the support for the CTBT contained in UN Security Council Resolution 1887.
Australia continues to urge states yet to ratify the CTBT to do so without delay, especially the Annex 2 states. Additional signatures and ratifications of the CTBT would provide a potent disarmament and non-proliferation message, particularly in the lead-up to the NPT Review Conference.
Mr Chairman
Australia places a high priority on countering the proliferation of other forms of weapons of mass destruction. We continue in our role as permanent Chair of the Australia Group, ensuring the Group works assiduously to prevent the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons particularly during a time of rapid technological advances in this area. We continue our active contribution to, and give effect to our responsibilities as a member of, the Wassenaar Arrangement, Nuclear Suppliers Group, Missile Technology Control Regime and the Zangger Committee. We should not downplay the critical role the export control regimes have in preventing access to the weapons and technology that have the potential to wreak such widespread destruction.
Both the fourth Biennial Meeting of States and the first meeting of the Preparatory Committee on an Arms Trade Treaty take place in New York in mid-2010. This is a unique opportunity for all states to address the problem of illicit conventional arms transfers through re-committing to a comprehensive and practical Programme of Action, and building on that commitment to set in train a negotiating process that will provide a legally binding basis for combating illicit transfers of conventional arms through treaty action in 2012.
Australia is pleased to have co-authored all resolutions on an Arms Trade Treaty in the General Assembly and to have been a member of the Group of Government Experts. We will continue to apply ourselves, as we did in securing a consensus outcome at the Open-Ended Working Group, to engage in substantive discussions this year. The irresponsible or illicit transfer of conventional arms and their components is of such concern that it can only be addressed through the establishment of a legally binding treaty.
We are also pleased to take up the position to assist the Chair in the important cross-cutting issue of international cooperation and assistance at the Fourth Biennial Meeting of States. Cooperation at the international level is essential if we are to stem the flow of illicit weapons and reduce their devastating impact on peoples’ lives.
In addition to our own national measures to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, we continue to provide practical assistance to affected states in our region. In cooperation with the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs, Australia hosted a Pacific regional workshop in Sydney in June last year to promote the Programme of Action. It was particularly rewarding for all participants that the Chair-designate for the fourth Biennial Meeting of States Parties on the Program of Action – Ambassador Macedo of Mexico – was able to attend and hear personally the experiences of Pacific island states and Timor Leste.
Mr Chairman
As delegations are aware, in 2008 Australia and the Republic of Korea jointly promoted action in the General Assembly to alert member states to the proliferation threat by sponsoring the first ever resolution on illicit brokering. This resolution which applies to weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, and to conventional arms, encourages states to implement the domestic controls necessary to counter illicit trafficking and recognises the key role of regional and subregional cooperation in countering this threat. I am pleased to confirm we will promote the resolution at this year at the 65th UN General Assembly and we look forward to working with states in this regard.
Mr Chairman
Despite the continued efforts of many states, including Australia, explosive remnants of war, particularly anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions, continue to kill and maim innocent people indiscriminately, and impede economic development.
In November last year, Australia’s Foreign Minister, Mr Smith, announced a new $100 million Mine Action Strategy for the period 2010-2014. Under this Strategy, Australia will enhance its long-standing record of support in areas including victim assistance, community education about the dangers of landmines and other explosive remnants of war, and the clearing of contaminated land for agricultural production. Australia congratulates Colombia and Norway for their hosting and chairing of last year’s Cartagena Summit on a Mine-Free World, which was a major step on the path to universalising the Mine Ban Convention and eradicating anti-personnel mines.
In keeping with Australia’s commitment to preventing, and combating the effects of, explosive remnants of war, Australia was one of the original signatories to the Convention on Cluster Munitions in December 2008. Australia is proceeding with its ratification process of this treaty as quickly as possible.
Mr Chairman
The issues discussed in the UN Disarmament Commission are of paramount importance to all states. In view of the significant agenda across both WMD and conventional weapons this year, particularly the NPT Review Conference in May, it is important that this forum not miss the opportunity to make practical and constructive contributions to address contemporary security challenges. It is up to all states here to make this a reality.