Vietnam calls for nuclear non-proliferation based on three pillars

Vietnam, 6 October 2023, at the meeting of the Disarmament and International Security Committee of the United Nations General Assembly.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, called for stepping up the implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) across all three of its pillars, namely nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Pictures from the meeting

Speaking at the meeting of the Disarmament and International Security Committee (First Committee) of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 6 October, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang said that the field of disarmament had not made the significant progress expected, and that the international community needed to step up its efforts to promote general and complete disarmament, with nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation as the top priorities.

Reaffirming Vietnam’s consistent policy of supporting international efforts towards general and complete disarmament, especially of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction, he called on the remaining countries to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) so that the Treaty can enter into force as soon as possible.

The Ambassador reiterated Vietnam’s commitment, together with the other ASEAN Member States, to maintaining South-East Asia as a region free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

He also welcomed the signing and ratification by the nuclear-weapon States, without reservations, of the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ).

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang emphasised the need for a high level of attention and a balanced approach to conventional weapons issues. He expressed support for the use of outer space for peaceful purposes and for ensuring the right of States to access, explore and use outer space in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law.

On solutions to the current situation, the Ambassador stressed the importance of building trust and effectively reducing tensions between large and small countries, and of adhering to the fundamental principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. In multilateral negotiations on issues related to peace, security and disarmament, he said that strong political commitments, confidence-building measures and transparency are essential.

On this occasion, the Ambassador reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to contributing actively to the work of the First Committee in promoting peace, security and development.

Delegates at the event also stressed the importance of multilateralism and called for strengthening disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation mechanisms for global peace and security.

The meeting is expected to last until early November, with discussions on seven agenda items, including key issues such as nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, reform of the disarmament machinery, the strengthening of international security, and ensuring security and safety in outer space.

(Source: Newswires – translated by Thu Ha)