5 October 2016, New York; In its statement at the General Debate of the Disarmament and International Security Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, the Maldives has stressed the need for augmenting efforts to end proliferation of nuclear weapons and called upon signatories of the Non Proliferation Treaty to fulfill their obligations under the Treaty.
Speaking on behalf of the Maldives, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Sareer, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations has stated that the use of nuclear testing by any country is "not only a flagrant violation of international law, but an obstacle to the proliferation of nuclear weapons". The Maldives appealed to the States pursuing the use of nuclear technology for useful ends, to do so under limits of international law and to not develop nuclear weapons. The statement also expressed concern that such weapons could fall into the hands of non-State actors who operate outside the structural and normative framework of international law, including terrorist groups, and therefore States must redouble their efforts against nuclear proliferation.
Noting that the Maldives does not produce any armaments or any weaponry of any type nor do the country has any aspirations to do so in the future, Ambassador Sareer stated that, "While we lack the resources to commit towards strengthening and enforcement of a global disarmament and non proliferation regime, we believe its our moral obligation to pave the path towards lasting peace and security."
Reflecting on the important work being done by member states on disarmament and non-proliferation education, Maldives stated its belief that awareness was 'the key to changing perceptions and paving a path to lasting peace'.
In its statement, the Maldives expressed its commitment for the establishment of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace, since the declaration was adopted by the General Assembly in 1971, to maintain peace and security in the region.
The Maldives further highlighted the link between peace and security and sustainable development, recalling Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, stating that "conflict is the bane of development and the proliferation of weapons, whether conventional or nuclear is the progenitor of conflict."
ENDS
