Iranian Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, Reza Dehqani, made the remarks at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva on August 11, stressing the need for universal and legally binding measures against new types of weapons of mass destruction, including radiological weapons.

Dehqani also warned that attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities could cause consequences comparable to the use of radiological weapons, while criticizing the continued possession and modernization of nuclear arsenals and the transfer of arms to the Israeli regime.

He also emphasized that disarmament efforts must be balanced, non-discriminatory and comprehensive, while respecting states’ legitimate right to self-defense.

What follows is the full text of his speech:

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Thank you, Mr. President.

My delegation would like to thank you for convening this meeting under agenda items 5, 6 and 7 of the Conference. We also join previous speakers in thanking the distinguished presenter for his valuable contribution to our discussions today.

We join others in extending a warm welcome to the new Ambassador of China to the Conference on Disarmament, Ambassador LI Chijiang. We wish him every success in his new assignment, and look forward to working closely with him.

The issue of new types of weapons of mass destruction, including radiological weapons, is among the important issues on the agenda of the Conference. The necessity of elaborating a universal and legally binding instrument prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling and use of such weapons has been repeatedly discussed in CD and the UN General Assembly.

In this regard, discussions on radiological weapons, without prejudice to the legitimate rights of States to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, should address the entire life cycle of such weapons, including their development, production, stockpiling and use, and should not be confined merely to the prohibition of their use.

Furthermore, attacks against peaceful nuclear facilities, which may result in the release of radioactive materials and cause serious and indiscriminate harm to human life and the environment, can produce consequences comparable to those associated with the use of radiological weapons. Such attacks constitute grave violations of international law, including the Charter of the UN, IHL, the NPT and relevant IAEA General Conference resolutions, and must be categorically condemned.

The emergence of new technologies presents both risks and opportunities. At the same time, such technologies may increase the risk of new arms races. Managing and mitigating these risks requires a balanced and proportionate approach that duly takes into account the opportunities and capacities that these technologies can offer. In this process, the inherent right of States, particularly developing countries, to benefit from and have access to new technologies and scientific advancements must be ensured. Any attempt to monopolize such technologies in the hands of a limited number of States, as well as double standards and discriminatory practices, must be rejected. Accordingly, discussions on emerging technologies will be balanced and meaningful only when due attention is given to capacity-building, technology transfer and international cooperation.

In this context, the implications of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, for each of these areas should be considered within their respective frameworks. Strengthening and universalizing existing regimes governing weapons of mass destruction, including the biological, chemical and nuclear weapons regimes, is essential to managing and mitigating the risks associated with emerging technologies. In this regard, we will continue our engagement in the Working Group on Strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention. In the nuclear sphere we reiterate the need for the fulfilment of existing commitments towards the complete, irreversible and verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons. Ultimately, until this objective is achieved, nuclear disarmament will remain the highest priority of the international community and the Conference on Disarmament.

Mr. President,

Against this broader backdrop, nuclear disarmament must remain at the core and constitute the highest priority of any comprehensive program of disarmament. The continued possession and modernization of nuclear arsenals are fundamentally incompatible with the objective of their total elimination. Consequently, the lack of progress towards nuclear disarmament would make meaningful progress in other areas of disarmament more difficult to achieve.

At the same time, a comprehensive program of disarmament should not prejudice the legitimate right of States to maintain the means necessary for their legitimate self-defense, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. Accordingly, disarmament efforts should be pursued in a balanced, non-discriminatory and comprehensive manner, while fully respecting the inherent right of States to self-defense.

Equally important, universal adherence to and full compliance with multilateral treaties and regimes governing weapons of mass destruction are essential. In our region, the Middle East, the Israeli regime remains the only side that is not a party to any of the major multilateral treaties governing weapons of mass destruction, while continuing its weapons of mass destruction activities, owing to the persistent inaction of the international community.

Against this reality, the continued transfer and supply of arms to Israeli regime by some states, is of grave concern, particularly given their use in the commission of serious violations of international humanitarian law. Such transfers, which have enabled and sustained Israel’s crimes, contribute to regional arms races and instability and undermine international disarmament efforts.

To conclude Mr. President, transparency can play a useful role when pursued as part of a genuine disarmament process. However, it can never substitute for the fulfilment of disarmament obligations. Transparency should be pursued in a universal, balanced and non-discriminatory manner and should apply equally to all States.

Thank you.