UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK- Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative Maria Teresa T. Almojuela of the Philippine to the United Nations in Geneva demanded that Nuclear Weapon States undertake negative security assurances to Non-Nuclear Weapon States as the Philippines delivered its remarks during the meeting of the Main Committee II that deals with Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons during the 10th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty held at the United Nations Trusteeship Council Chamber on 8 August 2022.
Ambassador Almojuela made reference to the decision of some Nuclear Weapon States to upgrade the role of nuclear forces in their security doctrines, the lack of transparency in declaring their nuclear weapons stockpiles, and the continued risks of instability in the geopolitical environment. She said that these are the main reasons to demand such assurances from Nuclear Weapon States.
On the Nuclear Weapons Free Zones, Ambassador Almojuela highlighted the need for Nuclear Weapon States to accede to the Nuclear Weapons Free Zone treaties including the Bangkok Treaty and its relevant protocols. She also emphasized the need to implement the Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in Middle East as crucial building blocks of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation framework.
At the same meeting, Ambassador Almojuela also highlighted the Philippines efforts in complying with non-proliferation obligations, specifically the Philippines enactment of the Strategic Trade Management Act which established the Strategic Trade Management Office in 2015 to fulfill its non-proliferation obligations.
See full statement HERE.
With the current challenging geopolitical environment, States Parties are faced with a daunting task of reviewing the effectiveness of the treaty in order to advance States Parties’ obligations to the treaty and reverse actions that undermine it. The 10th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is being held from 1 to 26 August 2022 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
For more information, visit https://www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/.
Source: Republic of Philippines Department Of Foreign Affairs