A soldier stands over seized weapons in Mogadishu, Somalia. UN Photo/Stuart Price
Disarmament and arms control have played an intrinsic role in easing international tensions and maintaining peace and security, and the Organization’s advocacy for disarmament is more vital than ever.
Conventional arms are the predominant means of killing and destruction
While we rightly fear the use of weapons of mass destruction, conventional arms are the predominant means of killing and destruction. The Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects remains the leading instrument for facilitating cooperation between States to prevent the diversion and proliferation of these weapons. As an example of collective action, in April 2017, after nearly two decades of inaction, the Disarmament Commission adopted recommendations on practical confidence-building measures in the field of conventional weapons.
Through its regional centres for peace and disarmament, the United Nations continues to build the capacity of States to tackle illicit arms trade through practical measures, such as stockpile management and legal assistance. Since February 2017, the regional centre in Latin America and the Caribbean has provided technical and logistical planning assistance for the laying down of arms in Colombia, including methods and techniques for their deactivation.
The past months show increased use of weapons against civilian populations
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?An upsurge in the use of weapons against civilian populations includes horrific reports of chemical weapon attacks. Through the Joint Investigative Mechanism, the United Nations and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons were able to reach conclusions on four of the chemical attacks. I welcome the Security Council decision to renew the mandate of the Mechanism and fully support the continuation of its impartial, independent and professional work.
Negotiations on a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons were held at Headquarters in July 2017, with my full support, as a step towards the universally desired goal of a nuclear weapon-free world. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, adopted on 7 July 2017 (see ), will be open for signature by States on 20 September and must be ratified by at least 50?countries before it can enter into force. The Treaty requires its parties to maintain their safeguard arrangements with the International Atomic Energy Agency or to accept Agency safeguards if they have not already done so.
The growing tensions over nuclear testing and ballistic missile activities undertaken by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea undermine global and regional security and underscore the need for a robust international disarmament and non-proliferation regime. I welcome the united commitment to strengthen the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as preparations begin for the 2020 Review Conference of Parties to the Treaty.
The United Nations now faces the additional challenges of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and the potential harmful use of outer space. In an age of technical revolution, it is vital that the international community stay ahead of the curve to ensure that technology is not used for malicious purposes.?
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