First Committee, 17th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 81st session
Thematic discussion on specific subjects and introduction and consideration of all draft resolutions and decisions submitted under agenda items (from 92 to 109)
First Committee, 17th meeting of the 81st session. Agenda item taken up: “Thematic discussion on specific subjects and introduction and consideration of all draft resolutions and decisions submitted under agenda items (from 92 to 109)”. 56 speakers were heard, representing 56 delegations.
Points of disagreement
Norway condemned attacks that kill and injure humanitarian personnel, noting that in June an attack on a Norwegian People's Aid D mining team in Kherson killed two employees and injured four others, and that Russia's attacks pose growing risks to humanitarian actors in Ukraine.
Montenegro called for Russia to cease what it called its unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, which it said violates the UN Charter, and to fully respect international humanitarian law.
Bulgaria condemned Russia's use of antipersonal landmines and cluster munitions on Ukrainian territory, which it said cause indiscriminate killings of civilians, and stated that these actions must halt immediately.
Spain stated that current conflicts, in particular what it called Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, demonstrate the need to preserve and strengthen norms of humanitarian disarmament, and that it supports the Convention on the Prohibition of Antipersnal Minds and the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Key points
Ireland, on behalf of a group of states, welcomed the final report's confirmation of the human involvement needed for compliance with international law in armed conflict, and the first agreed working characterization of lethal autonomous weapons systems.
Austria, on behalf of a group of states, stated that protecting civilians is a major challenge in contemporary armed conflicts, and that the use of explosive weapons in populated areas is one of the main drivers of suffering, including damage to civilian infrastructure that disrupts essential services.
Jamaica, on behalf of fourteen member states of the Caribbean community, underscored the profound humanitarian and security challenges posed by the widespread availability and illicit trafficking of conventional weapons, and stressed the need for their production, use and transfer to be effectively regulated in strict compliance with existing international legal instruments and regional frameworks.
Statement by statement · 56 speakers
🇧🇫 Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso stated that small arms and light weapons continue to fuel conflicts, transnational organized crime and terrorism, and that effective international action must tackle supply chains, trafficking networks, diversion of national stockpiles and the financing of armed groups.
🇧🇪 Belgium
Belgium called for adoption of a substantive negotiating mandate for a legally binding instrument on autonomous weapon systems at the upcoming CCW RefCON, saying failure to do so would undermine progress already made.
Belgium stressed that arms control must keep pace with evolving technologies in small arms and light weapons, and that responsible transfers of arms and dual use goods and export controls remain important, calling on all states that have not yet done so to join the arms trade treaty.
🇮🇹 Italy
Italy stated that Italy firmly believed international humanitarian law must remain a cornerstone of collective efforts to regulate conventional weapons, adding that the principle that even wars have rules remained as relevant as when the Geneva Conventions were conceived.
Italy condemned the indiscriminate use of cluster munitions by any actor, and welcomed the Vientiem Capital Action Plan.
🇰🇷 Republic of Korea
Republic of Korea welcomed the adoption of the final report of the LOS GGE, calling its consensus report a remarkable milestone, and reiterated that the GGE remains the most appropriate forum for laws and that future discussion should continue within the CCW framework.
Republic of Korea reaffirmed its call on the DPRK to fully respect the Korean Armistice Agreement and engage in dialogue, recalling its October 8 statement on the landmine explosion in the demilitarized zone on September 21.
🇪🇬 Egypt
Egypt stressed the need to preserve the sovereign right of states to acquire, manufacture and export conventional arms and ammunition for self-defense and security needs, in line with the UN Charter, with supply of arms and light weapons limited to governments or entities duly authorized by them.
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Costa Rica welcomed the results of the ninth biannual meeting of states on small arms and light weapons.
Costa Rica underscored the importance of the global framework for through life conventional ammunition management, and called on states to move from political commitments to effective implementation.
🇮🇪 Ireland · on behalf of a group of states
Ireland, on behalf of a group of states, welcomed the final report's confirmation of the human involvement needed for compliance with international law in armed conflict, and the first agreed working characterization of lethal autonomous weapons systems.
🇩🇪 Germany
Germany stressed the importance of upholding the norms of the International Humanitarian Arms Control Architecture, strengthening their implementation and universalization, and noted that in 2025 alone Germany allocated nearly 50 million euros for risk education, victim assistance, clearance, and explosive ordnance disposal.
Germany welcomed the consensus on the substantive report of the group of governmental experts of the CCW on lethal autonomous weapons systems, and advocated a new mandate for the GGE laws, with a negotiating mandate as the next logical step.
🇦🇲 Armenia
Armenia stressed that effective functioning of the conventional arms control regime is essential for maintaining peace and security at international, regional and subregional levels, and that weapons must never be used to deliberately or indiscriminately harm civilian populations.
Armenia welcomed the progress achieved through the work of the group of governmental experts within the CCW on lethal autonomous weapon systems, especially in reaching consensus on substantive elements.
🇦🇹 Austria · on behalf of a group of states
Austria, on behalf of a group of states, stated that protecting civilians is a major challenge in contemporary armed conflicts, and that the use of explosive weapons in populated areas is one of the main drivers of suffering, including damage to civilian infrastructure that disrupts essential services.
Austria, on behalf of a group of states, called for UN member states to strengthen the protection of civilians in armed conflict, including by continuing to exchange experiences and good practices.
🇳🇴 Norway
Norway condemned attacks that kill and injure humanitarian personnel, noting that in June an attack on a Norwegian People's Aid D mining team in Kherson killed two employees and injured four others, and that Russia's attacks pose growing risks to humanitarian actors in Ukraine.
Norway called for all states to join and fully implement the Anti Personnel Mind Band Convention, the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Arms Trade Treaty, and expressed deep concern over reported increasing use of anti personnel mines and cluster munitions.
🇨🇦 Canada
Canada expressed concern about mounting pressure on the disarmament and arms control architecture and the erosion of established norms, and noted that five states have withdrawn from the anti-personnel mine ban convention since last year.
Canada called for all states to uphold international humanitarian law and stay committed to the convention's humanitarian objectives, and to uphold and strengthen the norms built together.
🇯🇲 Jamaica · on behalf of fourteen member states of the Caribbean community
Jamaica, on behalf of fourteen member states of the Caribbean community, underscored the profound humanitarian and security challenges posed by the widespread availability and illicit trafficking of conventional weapons, and stressed the need for their production, use and transfer to be effectively regulated in strict compliance with existing international legal instruments and regional frameworks.
Jamaica, on behalf of fourteen member states of the Caribbean community, reaffirmed unwavering support for the Arms Trade Treaty, called for its full implementation and urged all states, especially exporting states, to strengthen national control systems to assess and mitigate risks of diversion.
Jamaica stated that Jamaica pursued a multi pronged approach combining legislative and regulatory measures and strengthened enforcement, and that states exporting significant quantities of arms must strengthen export controls, conduct rigorous end-use assessments and ensure effective post-delivery verification.
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan stated that for nearly three decades part of its territory had been under occupation and served as a gray zone conducive to illicit trafficking of conventional arms, ammunition and related material, and that border controls in these areas were strengthened following the restoration of its sovereignty.
Azerbaijan noted that Azerbaijan has an estimated 1.5 million landmines and an unknown number of explosive remnants of war, that 443 Azerbaijani citizens have been killed or injured since November 2020, and that contamination impedes reconstruction and the return of IDPs.
🇰🇪 Kenya
Kenya stated that legal autonomous weapon systems must comply fully with international law, particularly international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and called for prohibitions on systems that operate without meaningful human control.
Kenya said it supported multilateral cooperation on military artificial intelligence and autonomy but did not advocate negotiating a new treaty, calling instead for full implementation and an authoritative clarification of existing international law, including the Geneva Convention and Article 36.
🇹🇬 Togo
Togo underscored the need to control weapons at all stages of their life cycle, in particular through control of transfer, marking and tracing and by securing stockpiles against diversion, in accordance with the program of action and the international tracing instrument.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka · on behalf of NANALINE Movement
Sri Lanka, on behalf of NANALINE Movement, stated that Sri Lanka continues to strengthen institutional and operational measures to prevent small arms and light weapons from reaching terrorists, armed groups and organized crime networks, and that just under 21 square kilometers of land remain to be cleared of mines, with international assistance essential.
🇧🇩 Bangladesh
Bangladesh expressed concern about the growing development of lethal autonomous weapon systems, and said it hoped the seventh review conference of the CCLW in November 2026 would pave the way for negotiations on a legally bending instrument on such systems.
Bangladesh supported effective implementation of the UN program of action on small arms and light weapons and the international tracing instrument, and called for stronger cooperation to prevent illicit trafficking and diversion.
🇬🇹 Guatemala
Guatemala reiterated the importance of the full implementation and universalization of the arms trade treaty as a fundamental instrument for promoting transparency, accountability, and responsibility in international transfers of conventional weapons.
Guatemala reaffirmed its commitment to the preparatory work leading to the first meeting of states on the global framework for through life conventional ammunition management, which it said would help reduce risks from inadequate stockpile management, diversion, and illicit trafficking.
🇦🇷 Argentina
Argentina reaffirmed its commitment to a responsible conventional weapons sector subject to strict controls that prevent diversion and illicit trafficking, and described the arms trade treaty as a fundamental instrument to regulate illicit trade.
Argentina supported the work of the group of government experts on lethal autonomous weapons systems and hoped the next review conference would enable substantive discussions on the topic.
🇨🇳 China
China stated that China is a state party to the arms trade treaty, fair arms protocol, and convention on certain conventional weapons and its five protocols, strictly implements its international obligations, and has provided donations to the CCW sponsorship program for years.
China stated that China advocates that international humanitarian law be adhered to, that relevant weapon systems remain under human control, and that CCW is the most appropriate platform to discuss the lethal autonomous weapon system.
🇮🇶 Iraq
Iraq expressed concern over the increasing catastrophic consequences of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, and stressed that measures taken must not run counter to the security needs and the legitimate and inherent rights of states to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Iraq said Iraq is affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war, is implementing its national strategy for the period 2023-2028, and that support must be strengthened further in a manner commensurate with the scale of existing challenges and needs.
🇲🇪 Montenegro
Montenegro called for Russia to cease what it called its unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, which it said violates the UN Charter, and to fully respect international humanitarian law.
Montenegro reaffirmed commitment to full and effective implementation of the anti-personnel mines convention and support for the CCW and its protocols, AMPBC, ATT and other relevant international documents.
🇻🇳 Viet Nam
Viet Nam welcomed the outcome of the BMS 9 and supported its full and effective implementation, particularly on capacity building in advancing the UNPOA on small arms and light weapons.
🇸🇬 Singapore
Singapore reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that conventional weapons are used responsibly and in accordance with international law, given the serious humanitarian consequences of their indiscriminate use on innocent civilians.
Singapore stated that Singapore has maintained an indefinite moratorium on the export of anti personnel landmines and cluster munitions since 1998 and 2008, respectively, and has submitted national reports to the UN Register of Conventional Arms since 1993.
🇨🇱 Chile
Chile stated that the illicit traffic of firearms or parts, components, and munitions represents a threat to peace and security at the national, regional, and international level, and that the flow of illegal weapons to countries in conflict fuels armed violence.
Chile rejected any use of cluster munitions anywhere and under any circumstances, and reiterated that the use of anti personal mines is unacceptable.
🇳🇱 Kingdom of the Netherlands
Kingdom of the Netherlands welcomed the Vientian Capital Action Plan and the Vientian Political Declaration as important outcomes of the CCM review conference, and stated that protection of civilians must remain at the heart of arms control and disarmament efforts.
Kingdom of the Netherlands stated that the Netherlands remains committed to both the APMBC and the CCM, including financial support of a total of 146 million US dollars for the period 2025 2030 for mining operations worldwide.
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
Bulgaria condemned Russia's use of antipersonal landmines and cluster munitions on Ukrainian territory, which it said cause indiscriminate killings of civilians, and stated that these actions must halt immediately.
🇨🇮 Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire expressed concern that conventional weapons remain those that most directly affect populations, particularly in West Africa and the Sahel, where porous borders and transnational terrorist and criminal organizations have fueled illicit trafficking of weapons and ammunition.
Côte d'Ivoire called for implementation of the POA on small arms and light weapons, the International Tracing Instrument, the Arms Trade Treaty, and the ECOAS Convention on small arms and light weapons.
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Malaysia reaffirmed commitment to the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons and its international tracing instrument, and stressed the importance of addressing technological developments in small arms manufacturing, design, and modularity.
Malaysia supported the ongoing discussions on the proposed ATT five year strategy and looked forward to its agreement in 2027, noting that Malaysia is reviewing national legislative frameworks to align with the ATT's provisions.
🇦🇺 Australia
Australia stated that conventional arms control frameworks face unprecedented pressure as technology transforms conflict, must adapt, and that international law, including international humanitarian law, must remain the guide.
🇸🇳 Senegal
Senegal stated that conventional weapons continue to represent a major threat to international peace and security, with tens of thousands of civilians killed or wounded, and that the development of technology related to lethal autonomous weapon systems is a major problem.
Senegal supported efforts aimed at developing legally binding norms guaranteeing that all weapons, whatever their form or technology, are subject to the principles of responsibility and humanity.
🇾🇪 Yemen
Yemen underscored the importance of fulfilling obligations and commitments arising from international agreements, including those governing the transfer and trade of conventional arms, as an essential contribution to international and regional peace and security.
Yemen said Iran continues to support what it called the terrorist Houthi militias with advanced conventional weapons, including ballistic and cruise missiles and drones, as well as technical expertise and assistance in establishing weapons assembly and manufacturing workshops.
🇨🇲 Cameroon
Cameroon stated that priorities should be preventing diversion through marking, tracing and control of transfers, securing stockpiles, anticipating risks of artificial intelligence and lethal autonomous weapons systems, and strengthening cooperation, including the Voluntary Pilot Project in Central Africa.
🇷🇺 Russian Federation
Russian Federation reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and attached great importance to the successful outcome of the seventh review conference of the CCW.
🇿🇦 South Africa
South Africa welcomed the adoption of three key outcome documents and the call for international cooperation and assistance to strengthen states' national capacity on conventional ammunition, including through the fellowship program.
🇫🇷 France
France stated that the elements agreed in September within the framework of the GGE provide an excellent basis for a future instrument to regulate lethal autonomous weapons systems under the CCW, and that a mandate to continue this work should be adopted at the review conference in November.
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Switzerland expressed concern over the continued use of anti personnel mines and cluster munitions, and over the withdrawal by several states from the instruments prohibiting their use.
Switzerland stated that the body of elements developed by the group of government experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems is a sufficient basis for launching negotiations without further delay, on an instrument that should be legally binding or of a hybrid nature.
🇲🇻 Maldives
Maldives highlighted four priorities: strengthening accountability in conventional arms transfer, preventing diversion and illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, reducing humanitarian consequences of conventional weapons, and addressing emerging weapons technology.
Maldives called for full implementation of the arms trade treaty, stating that where the treaties prohibit transfers, commercial and strategic interests must not override those obligations.
🇩🇿 Algeria
Algeria stated that effective and meaningful human control over lethal autonomous weapon systems remains indispensable to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law, and that the need for a legally binding instrument has become urgent and can no longer be deferred.
Algeria called for all states in a position to do so to provide financial, technical and humanitarian assistance for mine clearance and rehabilitation efforts.
🇹🇭 Thailand
Thailand expressed concern over military application of AI and lethal autonomous weapon systems, stressing that human control and judgment must be maintained over the use of force in full compliance with distinction, proportionality, and precaution.
🇵🇹 Portugal
Portugal called for the universalization of the CCW and its protocols, the CCM, the ATT, and the Ottawa Convention.
Portugal welcomed the adoption by consensus of the GGE Law's final report under the leadership of the Netherlands, and said the next step was to adopt an ambitious negotiating mandate.
🇳🇿 New Zealand
New Zealand said New Zealand was pleased to again sponsor the Resolution on Autonomous Weapon Systems, and called on all high contracting parties to the CCW to engage constructively, moving to negotiation of an effective legally binding instrument.
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Pakistan stated that global military spending has risen for the eleventh consecutive year and that advanced weaponry continues to flow into regions of tension, prolonging conflicts; it asked what meaning export criteria hold when their application remains hostage to political and commercial interests.
Pakistan said that the Seventh Review Conference should launch negotiations on a legal instrument containing prohibitions and regulations, as the GGE on laws had successfully concluded its work.
🇨🇺 Cuba
Cuba called for the adoption as soon as possible of a legally binding international instrument within the United Nations that prohibits lethal autonomous weapon systems whose critical functions are carried out without a human operator, and regulates systems that require human intervention in those functions.
Cuba stated that double standards persist in disarmament, with some producers transferring conventional weapons to non-authorized non state actors while hindering developing countries from acquiring weapons for legitimate defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
🇮🇩 Indonesia
Indonesia regretted recent withdrawals from the anti-personnel mining band convention and convention on cluster munitions, and encouraged states to join or rejoin these instruments and avoid further setbacks in their universalization.
Indonesia supported a robust, legally binding instrument on laws, building on the work of the CCW group of governmental experts through an inclusive process, stating that growing autonomy in weapon systems demands meaningful human judgment and control.
🇲🇽 Mexico
Mexico reiterated the urgency of negotiating a legally binding instrument on lethal autonomous weapon systems, with clear regulations and prohibitions.
Mexico expressed concern over the weakening of humanitarian disarmament instruments, regretted recent withdrawals and urged the states involved to reconsider their decisions.
🇪🇸 Spain
Spain stated that current conflicts, in particular what it called Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, demonstrate the need to preserve and strengthen norms of humanitarian disarmament, and that it supports the Convention on the Prohibition of Antipersnal Minds and the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Spain welcomed the adoption of the final report of the group of governmental experts on lethal autonomous weapon systems, and said it favoured responsible governance of artificial intelligence in the military sphere.
🇲🇲 Myanmar
Myanmar stated that conventional weapons, including small and light weapons and their ammunition, are the leading cause of violent death globally, and that Member States have a sovereign right to acquire and transfer them for self defense.
Myanmar said that in Myanmar, weapons transfers by some member states to the military hunter were exacerbating violence and abuses against civilians, with over 8,500 people killed since the coup in 2021.
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia underscored the importance of effective measures to prevent the illicit trade in small arms and lightweight weapons and keep them from terrorists and illegal groups, and welcomed international efforts on voluntary measures and norms to regulate trade in conventional weapons.
Saudi Arabia stressed that the UNPOA on small arms and light weapons must not be conflated with conventional ammunitions, that these are two separate tracks, and that managing conventional weapons is a national security issue subject to national sovereignty.
🇬🇷 Greece
Greece stated that the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons should remain the principal forum for discussions on lethal autonomous weapon systems, and expressed the hope that the CCW 7th Review Conference will agree on an ambitious negotiating mandate on laws.
Greece called for all states to ratify or accede to the Arms Trade Treaty without further delay, and for parties to comply with their obligations.
🇲🇱 Mali
Mali said Mali was strengthening legal and regulatory measures on ammunition and weapons and bolstering its defense and security forces' capacity, and that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, in the Alliance of Sahel States, were engaged in coordinated combat against terrorism.
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic stated that the issue of small arms and light weapons and their munitions is of particular importance, as illicit traffic continues to fuel armed violence, organized crime, and other threats to security.
Dominican Republic highlighted the importance of the arms trade treaty to promote responsible international arms transfers, and the need for progress in the secure through life management of munitions to reduce risks of diversion and unplanned explosions.
🇺🇸 United States
United States welcomed the successful completion of the 2024 to 2026 mandate of the group of governmental experts under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons on lethal autonomous weapons systems, and looked forward to the Seventh Review Conference in November, where parties can adopt a mandate for future work on laws.
United States expressed concern about the flow of unsecured conventional weapons from state held stockpiles to criminals, traffickers and terrorists, and about the role of corruption and weak governance in facilitating this diversion.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
United Kingdom announced that the United Kingdom is proud to assume the presidency of the arms trade treaty this year, and that its Presidency will focus on strengthening implementation and developing the treaty's first five-year strategy.
United Kingdom said the seventh CCW Review Conference should build on the GGE on laws consensus on elements of a future instrument by agreeing a substantive mandate to take the work forward.
🇹🇷 Türkiye
Türkiye reaffirmed its commitment to the comprehensive implementation of the United Nations program of action on small arms and light weapons, together with the international tracing instrument, and regarded the arms trade treaty as an important instrument for responsible arms transfers and transparency.
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