First Committee, 15th 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)
Rights of reply
7 replies by 6 delegations · 3 rounds
🇷🇺 Russian Federation, 🇺🇦 Ukraine, 🇮🇷 Islamic Republic of Iran, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇸🇪 Sweden
Round 1
🇷🇺 Russian FederationSecond replyin response to Republic of Korea
Thank you, mister Chairman. Uh first and foremost, we would like to repudiate the latest uh unsubstantiated allegations against us from the delegation of the Republic of Korea. They are entirely divorced from reality. Furthermore, we also wish to repudiate the baseless insinuations uh against the Russian Federation from Western states regarding the Budapest memorandum. Frankly speaking, the inadequate attempts by Western states to uh levy to to to have unsubstantiated baseless allegations against Russia have in recent years are really have uh reached staggering levels. In recent years, we have uh provided detailed repeated uh uh commentary about this, which uh shows uh the flimsiness of these fabrications and they show that the reality is such that there are serious uh concerns about the Budapest uh memorandums in implementation by uh Kiev and its uh Western patrons. For those in the West who are unable to uh to uh hear our ironclad argumentation, we would like to call upon you to uh listen and familiarize yourselves from uh with statements uh delivered by uh Russian representatives at International Forum, including the first uh committee and the texts that are published uh uh uh the relevant uh web resources are not hard to find. Wasting time on uh allegations about this uh obsolete subject is something which we no longer view as appropriate. Thank you.
Round 2
🇺🇦 UkraineFirst replyin response to Russian Federation
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh the delegation of Ukraine uh wanted to uh exercise the right of reply under cluster one. If uh it's uh already already closed, just uh question. Uh if not possible, then we would like to make uh statement uh later. So you yeah you can you can make this. Uh the right of reply to the statement by the Russian Federation uh made earlier. Just as Secretary just you know clarified to me that the the Ukraine has already pressed you know the when I was reading to the uh moving to the second cluster cluster on the weather weapons of mass destruction. So in that case I think you know it is better to to
🇺🇦 UkraineSecond replyin response to Russian Federation
Thank you, thank you, Mr. Chair, for clarifications. Thank you. We would like to exercise the right of reply to the statement made by the Russian Federation earlier in our proceedings. So just want uh we just want to uh reject Russia's claims that the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant is a Russian nuclear facility. Uh the ZNPP is and will remain an integral part of Ukraine's of Ukraine, under Ukraine's sovereignty and jurisdiction, and uh also Russia's shame referendums and the so called treaties signed in. September 2022, Ukraine considers as null and void. They have no legal effect whatsoever on the status of the Zaporizhia region of Ukraine. Also, as we mentioned before, the General Assembly has made this unequivocally clear in its resolutions that which reaffirmed Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and rejecting Russia's attempted illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories. Regarding military activities near the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, Russia tells the The IAA that the military personnel present at the ZNPP are there to protect the facility. At the same time, Ukrainian defense and intelligence authorities continue to document Russian military activity at and around the ZNPP and occupied Enerhodar, including the deployment of military equipment and infrastructure, and the launch and support of Russian UAV operations against Ukrainian controlled communities on the opposite bank of the Dnipro River. Ukraine has regularly provided relevant information to the IAA Secretariat because such activity directly affects the implementation of the IAA Director General's five concrete principles and the nuclear safety and security of the plant. The contradiction is increasingly difficult to conceal. Russia describes its military personnel as being present solely to protect a civilian nuclear facility, while Ukrainian forces document military operations being conducted from the area in which the facility that facility is located. The military logic behind Russia's continued occupation is therefore becoming clearer that the ZPP provides Russian forces with an exceptionally protected environment. Precisely because it is a nuclear power plant. Moscow knows that Ukraine must exercise extraordinary restraint around the facility and take into account not only an immediate military threat, but also the potentially catastrophic consequences of any action affecting nuclear safety. In other words, Russia is exploiting the special protection that a civilian nuclear facility should enjoy in order to provide protection for its. Own military activities. The development of joint warfare makes this issue even more important. Military use of a nuclear site today cannot be assessed solely by looking for tanks or artillery pieces. UAV launch positions, control antennas, communication equipment, and other relatively small infrastructure can directly support combat operations. The five concrete principles must therefore remain capable of addressing the realities of modern warfare. Equipment used to launch, guide, or support attack drones does not become compatible with the protection of a nuclear facility merely because it is smaller or less visible than. Traditional heavy weaponry. Also, I would like to remind that in February 2025, a Russian drone struck the new safe confinement over the destroyed Unit 4 of the Chernobyl MPP, seriously damaging a structure built through decades of international effort and enormous financial and technical contributions from many countries represented. Including in this meeting room. This was not merely damage to Ukrainian infrastructure, it was an attack on one of the most important international nuclear safety proje projects ever undertaken. On 7 June this year, Russia UAV also struck the centralized penned nuclear fuel storage facility near Chernobyl's buildings were damaged, including premises used by IA personnel. So I would like just uh Diane to underscore that um this uh nuclear safety uh threat will continue unless uh until the time that Russia re returned will leave the Z N PP and the nuclear object will return to Ukraine's full control. Thank you.
Round 3
🇮🇷 Islamic Republic of IranFirst replyin response to United States
Thank you, Mr. Chair. My delegation categorically rejects and strongly condemns the baseless and politically motivated accusations made by the representatives of the United States and the Israeli regime under Cluster II and what we just heard in the Israeli regime's right of reply. If there is any entity in our region that possesses both the capacity and the proven willingness to produce and use weapons of mass destruction, chemical, biological, and nuclear, it is none other than the Israeli regime, with the United States fully complicit in its atrocities through its unwavering political, military and financial support. This is the only regime in the region that illegally possesses all types of WMDs and remains outside all international instruments on the prohibition of weapons of mass destruction. And the reason is clear. This is a regime that has even weaponized the most basic necessities of life, water and food. As tools of war and oppression. There is credible and documented evidence of the use of prohibited munitions, including white phosphorus and depleted uranium. Unifell itself has confirmed that its personnel were injured by such weapons in Lebanon and similar reports have emerged from Gaza. The repeated allegations against Iran are a calculated attempt by the Israeli regime. And the US to divert attention from the issues they would rather this committee not confront, namely the Israeli regime's crimes in Gaza, the West Bank, Iran, and across the region. No amount of politically motivated accusation can conceal these realities or relieve the Israeli regime of accountability. The United States is in no position to lecture others while obstructing decades of negotiations on a legally binding BWC compliance and verification protocol, maintaining its reservation to the nineteen twenty five Geneva Protocol, and evading scrutiny of its extensive overseas network of over 120 biological laboratories across more than 30 countries, thereby raising serious accountability concerns under the BWC. I thank you, Mr. Chair.
🇬🇧 United KingdomFirst replyin response to Russian Federation
Thank you, Chair. The United Kingdom rejects in the strongest possible terms the baseless allegations made by the Russian Federation in its most recent statement. The claim that the United Kingdom possesses or employs chemical gas grenades is entirely false and without foundation. Russia's intervention was regrettably characteristic of its ongoing campaign of disinformation and distortion. Which seeks to undermine confidence in the Chemical Weapons Convention and to distract from its own violations. The UK remains a firm supporter of the CWC. Our commitment to the full and transparent implementation of its provisions is unwavering. We recall that the OPCW Technical Secretariat and independent investigations have repeatedly documented and attributed. Instance of instances of chemical weapons use by the Russian Federation in Salisbury, in Syria, and in Ukraine. Russia's attempts to invert this reality are an affront to the integrity of the Convention and to this committee. We also note Russia's cynical misuse of technical discussions within the OPCW to obfuscate clear obligations. There is no ambiguity in the Convention's prohibition on the use of riot control agents as a method of warfare. The UK calls on all states parties to reaffirm that prohibition, and to reject any effort to reinterpret or erode it. Finally, we urge all delegations not to be distracted by these fabrications, but to focus instead on restoring trust, accountability, and compliance within the CWC framework. Principles that Russia itself continues to undermine through its words and its actions. Mr President, I would also like to align myself with the comments of the distinguished Ambassador of the Netherlands on Russia's use of epibatidine against Alexander Navalny. Thank you.
🇯🇵 JapanFirst reply
Thank you Mr Chair. The as I stated, Japan remains fully committed to multilateral efforts for arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, including the CWC. Japan has continued to expand its utmost efforts to make progress in the destruction of abandoned chemical weapons in China by investing in human and financial resources in line with the CWC. Also, as I stated, the ACW project is a joint project between Japan and China, and as Japan is proceeding with this project, it is sharing perceptions with the Chinese side on various issues, and appropriate and timely cooperation from the Chinese side is also necessary to advance the project as planned. Japan has also provided information that indicates the location of the ACWs to the extent possible. Also, to ensure the safety of people and the protection of the environment is the most important matter, and it is a top priority for Japan, and Japan's measures meet the requirement of the CWC and Chinese domestic laws and regulations in destroying chemical weapons. Also, as I already stated, Japan and China jointly submitted destruction plans through the discussion to seek a feasible plan. And in accordance with this destruction plan, Japan has been making the best possible efforts to complete the destruction with necessary cooperation by China. We will continue to make our utmost efforts based on the destruction plan beyond 2022. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
🇸🇪 SwedenFirst reply
Thank you, Chair. We reject the attempt by the Russian Federation to dismiss serious concerns regarding their breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention by obscuring facts or trying to reallocate responsibility to others. The matter at hand is serious. It concerns compliance with international law and obligations freely undertaken by the Russian Federation under the Chemical Weapons Convention. The Russian Federation has an obligation to address legitimate concerns and to abide by the fundamental norm that the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere, at any time, under any circumstance is unacceptable. Traces of the lethal toxin Apibatidine were confirmed in biological samples from Mr Alexei Navalny. Only Russia had the means, motive and opportunity to carry out this poisoning. Three OPCW technical assistance visits have confirmed the presence of the riot control agent CS in battlefield samples in Ukraine. Repeating alternative theories is not the same as providing proof. Obscuring facts does not absolve the Russian Federation from its obligation to answer legitimate questions. Attempts to create doubt does not invalidate evidence, I thank you.
Verbatim from the transcript. A reply is identified from its own words, the Chair's grant, or its place in the right-of-reply sequence; delegations and addressees follow the transcript's attribution.
First Committee, 15th 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)”. 41 speakers were heard, representing 39 delegations. Rights of reply were exercised 7 times.
Rights of reply · 7
🇷🇺 Russian FederationSECOND REPLY · in response to Republic of Korea
“Thank you, mister Chairman. Uh first and foremost, we would like to repudiate the latest uh unsubstantiated allegations against us from the delegation of the Republic of Korea. They are entirely divorced from reality. Furthermore, we also wish to repudiate the baseless insinuations uh against the Russian Federation fro…”
🇺🇦 UkraineFIRST REPLY · in response to Russian Federation
“Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh the delegation of Ukraine uh wanted to uh exercise the right of reply under cluster one. If uh it's uh already already closed, just uh question. Uh if not possible, then we would like to make uh statement uh later. So you yeah you can you can make this. Uh the right of reply to the s…”
🇺🇦 UkraineSECOND REPLY · in response to Russian Federation
Ukraine rejected Russia's claims that the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant is a Russian nuclear facility, stating that the ZNPP is and will remain under Ukraine's sovereignty and jurisdiction and that the September 2022 referendums and so-called treaties are null and void.
Ukraine stated that Ukrainian defense and intelligence authorities continue to document Russian military activity at and around the ZNPP and occupied Enerhodar, and that Russia was exploiting the special protection of a civilian nuclear facility for its own military activities.
Ukraine underscored that the nuclear safety threat will continue until Russia leaves the ZNPP and the plant returns to Ukraine's full control.
🇮🇷 Islamic Republic of IranFIRST REPLY · in response to United States
Islamic Republic of Iran categorically rejected what it called baseless and politically motivated accusations by the United States and the Israeli regime, and condemned them; it stated that the Israeli regime, with the United States complicit through its support, is the entity in the region with the capacity and willingness to produce and use WMDs.
Islamic Republic of Iran stated the United States was in no position to lecture others while obstructing negotiations on a legally binding BWC compliance and verification protocol, maintaining its reservation to the 1925 Geneva Protocol, and evading scrutiny of over 120 biological laboratories across more than 30 countries.
🇬🇧 United KingdomFIRST REPLY · in response to Russian Federation
United Kingdom rejected the Russian Federation's allegations in what it called the strongest possible terms, stating that the claim that the United Kingdom possesses or employs chemical gas grenades was entirely false and without foundation.
United Kingdom called for all states parties to reaffirm the Chemical Weapons Convention's prohibition on the use of riot control agents as a method of warfare and to reject any effort to reinterpret or erode it.
🇯🇵 JapanFIRST REPLY
Japan stated that Japan remained fully committed to multilateral efforts for arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, including the CWC, and had continued to expand its utmost efforts to destroy abandoned chemical weapons in China.
Japan noted that the ACW project was a joint project between Japan and China, that appropriate and timely cooperation from the Chinese side was necessary to advance it as planned, and that Japan would continue its utmost efforts based on the destruction plan beyond 2022.
🇸🇪 SwedenFIRST REPLY
Sweden stated that traces of the lethal toxin Apibatidine were confirmed in biological samples from Mr Alexei Navalny, and that three OPCW technical assistance visits confirmed the presence of the riot control agent CS in battlefield samples in Ukraine.
Points of disagreement
Indonesia, on behalf of Non-Aligned Movement, rejected the declaration by the United States in 2018 that space is a warfighting domain or the next battlefield, and reemphasized the urgent need for substantive negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a legally binding and multilaterally verifiable instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space.
China firmly opposed what it called unfounded US accusations of a Chinese threat in outer space, and stated that China has neither a military strategy nor a plan to dominate outer space.
Russian Federation rejected what it called baseless allegations by Western countries, including the Netherlands, of violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the BWC, and said the Russian Federation fully complies with its obligations.
Sudan rejected what it called false allegations by the United States and other delegations regarding the claimed use of chemical weapons in Sudan, stating that Sudan adheres to its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and rejects the use of chemical weapons by any party under any circumstances.
Key points
Libya, on behalf of Arab group, reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that the use of outer space remains exclusively for peaceful purposes, and stressed the importance of prohibiting all forms of armament and conflict there, citing the outer space treaty of the year 1967.
European Union, on behalf of European Union and its Member States, reaffirmed the applicability of international law, including international humanitarian law, to outer space, and said all space activities must be conducted in accordance with the existing international legal framework.
Namibia, on behalf of African group, stressed the importance of preventing an arms race in outer space through a legally binding instrument, and that outer space must remain a common heritage of humankind used for peaceful purposes for the benefit of all member states.
Statement by statement · 40 speakers
🇮🇩 Indonesia · on behalf of Non-Aligned Movement
Indonesia, on behalf of Non-Aligned Movement, rejected the declaration by the United States in 2018 that space is a warfighting domain or the next battlefield, and reemphasized the urgent need for substantive negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a legally binding and multilaterally verifiable instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space.
Indonesia, on behalf of Non-Aligned Movement, welcomed the consensual adoption on 16 August 2024 of the report of Governmental Experts GGE on substantive elements of a legally binding instrument, calling it a key opportunity and a good basis for further negotiations.
Indonesia, on behalf of Non-Aligned Movement, underscored that voluntary TCBMs may partially contribute to reducing mistrust in the short term, but can neither substitute for nor be a precondition for the early conclusion of a legally binding instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space.
ASEAN
ASEAN expressed concern over the possible weaponization of outer space or turning it into a domain for warfare and armed conflicts, and reaffirmed the vital importance of preventing an arms race in outer space.
ASEAN supported advancing PAROS through non legally binding instruments such as norms, rules, principles of responsible behavior and transparency and confidence building measures, which should not substitute, prejudice or delay negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a legally binding, verifiable instrument.
🇱🇾 Libya · on behalf of Arab group
Libya, on behalf of Arab group, reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that the use of outer space remains exclusively for peaceful purposes, and stressed the importance of prohibiting all forms of armament and conflict there, citing the outer space treaty of the year 1967.
Libya, on behalf of Arab group, proposed developing the legal framework on two parallel tracks: continuing rules and principles for responsible behavior, and launching a process to discuss a legally binding instrument to prevent an arms race in outer space, pursuant to GA resolution 72/250.
Libya, on behalf of Arab group, stressed that the envisaged instrument must prohibit the deployment of weapons in outer space, armed attacks against or deliberate damage to objects there, and the development or testing of weapons intended for such attacks, and include verification mechanisms.
European Union · on behalf of European Union and its Member States
European Union, on behalf of European Union and its Member States, reaffirmed the applicability of international law, including international humanitarian law, to outer space, and said all space activities must be conducted in accordance with the existing international legal framework.
European Union, on behalf of European Union and its Member States, welcomed the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution 79/20, and deeply regretted Russia's veto in the Security Council on a similar resolution.
European Union, on behalf of European Union and its Member States, said developing norms, rules and principles of responsible behavior was the most pragmatic way to make progress on PAROS, and that non-legally binding measures did not preclude future negotiations on legally binding measures.
🇮🇹 Italy
Italy reaffirmed the centrality of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, stating that outer space must be explored and used for the benefit of all countries without national appropriation, with no weapons of mass destruction in orbit and the moon and other celestial bodies used exclusively for peaceful purposes.
Italy stated that preventing an arms race in outer space requires a pragmatic and progressive approach, with norms, rules and principles that are complementary, and stressed strengthening synergies among international fora, including Geneva and Vienna, while avoiding unnecessary duplication.
Italy reiterated support for the commencement of negotiations on a legally binding instrument prohibiting destructive direct-ascent anti-satellite missile testing.
🇦🇴 Angola
Angola stated that outer space must remain a domain of peace, cooperation and scientific advancement serving all humanity, and that the increasing militarization of outer space presents a serious threat to international peace and security.
Angola called for strengthened multilateral cooperation to prevent an arms race in outer space, and for the benefits of space exploration to be accessible and equally shared by all nations.
🇳🇦 Namibia · on behalf of African group
Namibia, on behalf of African group, stressed the importance of preventing an arms race in outer space through a legally binding instrument, and that outer space must remain a common heritage of humankind used for peaceful purposes for the benefit of all member states.
Namibia expressed concern about the growing number of military doctrines, capabilities and activities risking turning outer space into a theater of conflict, including the testing of destructive anti satellite weapons and the absence of legally binding norms.
Namibia called for negotiations of an international legally binding instrument prohibiting the placement of any weapon in outer space and strengthening transparency and confidence building measures, and for removal of discriminatory barriers to developing countries' access to space related technologies.
🇪🇬 Egypt
Egypt highlighted the centrality of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, stressing that outer space should remain a platform used exclusively for peaceful purposes and for the benefit of all humanity, and that states refrain from installing weapons in outer space regardless of their nature and purpose.
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Costa Rica stressed that space must be preserved for peaceful, safe and sustainable purposes, and that preventing an arms race requires moving beyond statements of principles towards concrete measures.
Costa Rica supported the universalization of norms against the use and destructive testing of direct ascent and anti-satellite missiles, as well as efforts toward their legally binding prohibition.
🇩🇪 Germany
Germany stated that maintaining stability and avoiding escalation in outer space is an absolute priority for Germany, and that it is imperative to drive forward work on measures to reduce risks and preserve stability in, and access to, outer space for all.
Germany reaffirmed that Germany remains firmly committed to the open-ended working group on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, with its mandate laid down in Decision 79-512, and to a comprehensive approach combining binding and non binding measures.
🇨🇦 Canada
Canada supported the open ended working group on Paros, and welcomed the engagement and concrete proposals advanced during its most recent session.
Canada stated that legally binding and non-legally binding measures are mutually reinforcing and complementary in advancing objectives related to preventing an arms race in outer space, and that practical risk reduction measures should be adopted alongside discussions of legally binding instruments.
🇳🇴 Norway
Norway expressed concern about the growing development of counter space and anti-satellite systems and the lack of transparency around such activities.
Norway stressed that greater transparency and confidence building measures should be an integral part of efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space, and encouraged broader adherence to The Hague Conduct.
🇰🇪 Kenya
Kenya noted that limited access to space situational awareness capabilities hampers the ability to monitor and respond to hazards such as orbital debris and uncontrolled re-entries, and said these challenges underscore the need for enhanced international cooperation and capacity building.
Kenya supported the development and implementation of norms, rules and principles of responsible behavior, including legally binding instruments, and stronger international and regional cooperation, including through the African Space Agency.
🇦🇷 Argentina
Argentina reaffirmed that the 1967 Outer Space Treaty is the cornerstone of the international legal regime governing space, and that its Article 4, which prohibits placing nuclear arms or other weapons of mass destruction in space, should be fully upheld.
🇨🇳 China
China stated that the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space had become a real threat, and that the United States had defined outer space as a warfighting domain and openly acknowledged deploying space control weapons on orbit.
China firmly rejected what it called Japan's sophistry on Japanese ACWs, and urged Japan to fully implement its destruction plan and accelerate disposal, noting that a fifth missed deadline appeared inevitable.
China firmly opposed what it called unfounded US accusations of a Chinese threat in outer space, and stated that China has neither a military strategy nor a plan to dominate outer space.
🇨🇱 Chile
Chile expressed concern about threats to international peace and security derived from a possible militarization of outer space, and rejected any placing of any kind of weapons in outer space as primordial to prevent an arms race.
Chile called for continued open discussions to move towards binding and non-binding norms for a peaceful and safe outer space, and for strengthening the existing international legal framework to address space security concerns.
🇳🇱 Kingdom of the Netherlands
Kingdom of the Netherlands stated that the open ended working group on the prevention of an armed race in outer space should focus on strengthening the normative framework by promoting responsible behavior, with a first step of addressing destructive debris-generating counter space activities.
Kingdom of the Netherlands stressed that international law already applies to activities in outer space, including the five UN treaties on outer space, the Charter of the United Nations and international humanitarian law, and highlighted Article 4 of the Outer Space Treaty.
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Malaysia reiterated the urgent need for an international legally binding instrument to prevent an arms race in outer space, stating that confidence-building measures must complement, not replace, legally binding commitments.
Malaysia expressed concern over the risk of an arms race in outer space and opposed the placement of weapons in outer space and the threat or use of force against space objects.
🇦🇺 Australia
Australia welcomed this year's work in the open ended working group on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, saying its discussions demonstrated the value of an inclusive forum to examine space security challenges.
Australia supported efforts to clarify how existing international law applies to space activities, develop common understandings where uncertainty remains, and consider additional measures where genuine gaps are identified, and said practical, non binding measures can make an immediate difference.
🇮🇪 Ireland
Ireland emphasized that civilian space based services must be protected, including in situations of armed conflict, in accordance with international humanitarian law, and that voluntary, pragmatic measures and legal instruments are complementary approaches.
🇭🇺 Hungary
Hungary stated the Outer Space Treaty remained the cornerstone of international space law and that outer space must be used for peaceful purposes, with preserving free and equitable access a common responsibility.
Hungary supported a comprehensive approach to space security, including norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviors, and a universal norm against destructive direct ascent anti satellite missile tests; it noted it co-sponsored the relevant GA resolution and joined the US initiative on a voluntary moratorium.
🇮🇶 Iraq
Iraq emphasized the importance of arriving at a legally binding international instrument to prevent an arms race in outer space, prohibiting the placement of weapons, armed attacks against space objects, and development or testing of weapons designed for such attacks, with multilateral verification mechanisms.
Iraq welcomed General Assembly Decision 79 512, which established the open ended working group on the prevention of an arms race in outer space for 2024 to 2028.
🇨🇲 Cameroon
Cameroon stated that the 1967 treaty remains a legal bedrock for action and does not prohibit all military activity in space, so transparency, confidence building measures and consultations need to be enhanced to prevent incidents or risks of escalation.
Cameroon proposed a voluntary initiative for space capacity building and resilience building for developing states, based on three priorities: facilitating access to satellite data, building local capabilities, and developing public policy tools.
🇷🇺 Russian Federation
Russian Federation stated that the Russian Federation consistently advocates keeping space free of weapons of any form, and that the situation in space security is rapidly deteriorating, citing what it described as aggressive outer space ambitions of Washington, including the Golden Dome projects.
Russian Federation called for all states to support and co-sponsor the two draft resolutions and one decision on outer space security that the Russian Federation had submitted to the First Committee.
Russian Federation rejected what it called baseless allegations by Western countries, including the Netherlands, of violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the BWC, and said the Russian Federation fully complies with its obligations.
🇵🇭 Philippines
Philippines expressed concern about growing threats to space security, safety, and sustainability, including security doctrines that consider outer space as a theater of conflict, testing and use of direct ascent anti satellite missiles and other anti satellite weapons, and rocket debris falling into its maritime zones.
Philippines called for a legally binding instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, and stated that voluntary political commitments and responsible behaviors are mutually reinforcing with, and do not substitute for, legally binding instruments.
🇿🇦 South Africa
South Africa urged member states to refrain from unilateral coercive measures, which it said contravene international law and could impede space activities for peaceful purposes by developing countries.
South Africa stated that South Africa remained committed to the eventual negotiation of a legally binding instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, and could accept transparency and confidence-building measures as a temporary stopgap if there was political will.
🇫🇷 France
France stated that France regards the preservation of a safe, secure, stable, and sustainable space environment as the cornerstone of its policy, and that it organized an international space summit last September.
France called for full respect for the United Nations Charter and the 1967 Outer Space Treaty as the legal framework of reference for space governance, adding that transparency and confidence building measures should be supported within the framework of Paros.
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Switzerland expressed concern about plans and announcements on placing weapons in orbit, anti-satellite-like capabilities, and jamming or disruption of signals, which it said undermine stability in orbit and the safety and security of critical civilian infrastructure.
Switzerland stressed the importance of strengthening the international framework governing outer space and preventing an arms race there, noting that the Outer Space Treaty and international law, including international humanitarian law, apply, without legitimizing the use of force.
🇵🇹 Portugal
Portugal rejected the weaponization of outer space, stating that Portugal remained committed to preventing an arms race in space, and said the prohibition on placing nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in orbit must be upheld without ambiguity.
Portugal supported inclusive, substantive work within the open ended working group on preventing an arms race in outer space, and highlighted the UN-Portugal Outer Space Fellowship, whose second edition was held in Lisbon last March.
🇳🇿 New Zealand
New Zealand called for all states to reaffirm their commitment to the Outer Space Treaty's principles and faithfully uphold its provisions, including those contained in Article IV, at a time of growing strategic competition.
New Zealand expressed concern about the growing divergence of views on space security issues, and stressed that effective multilateral dialogue is more important than ever.
🇲🇻 Maldives
Maldives called for all states to prevent an armed race in outer space and refrain from action that could fuel confrontation, stating that preserving space as a peaceful domain requires transparency and international cooperation.
Maldives called for progress in three areas: transparency and confidence building measures, stronger dialogue between states and commercial operators on continuity of essential space based services during crisis, and effective contribution by small island developing states to the open-ended working group.
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Pakistan supported negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a legally binding instrument on Paris, stating that transparency and confidence building measures and norms of responsible behavior cannot substitute for or be preconditions to legally binding obligations.
🇺🇦 Ukraine
Ukraine rejected Russia's claims that the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant is a Russian nuclear facility, stating that the ZNPP is and will remain under Ukraine's sovereignty and jurisdiction and that the September 2022 referendums and so-called treaties are null and void.
Ukraine stated that Ukrainian defense and intelligence authorities continue to document Russian military activity at and around the ZNPP and occupied Enerhodar, and that Russia was exploiting the special protection of a civilian nuclear facility for its own military activities.
Ukraine underscored that the nuclear safety threat will continue until Russia leaves the ZNPP and the plant returns to Ukraine's full control.
🇮🇱 Israel
Israel stated that the Middle East still suffers from a chronic lack of compliance with non-proliferation and arms control norms, obligations and mechanisms, and that references to a zone free of nuclear weapons and other WMDs in the region were, in its view, detached from current reality.
Israel stated that Iran has been secretly developing a chemical weapons program over the past two decades, that munitions were transferred to proxies such as the Houdis and Hezbollah, and that the international community must not allow Iran to develop unconventional capabilities.
🇸🇩 Sudan
Sudan rejected what it called false allegations by the United States and other delegations regarding the claimed use of chemical weapons in Sudan, stating that Sudan adheres to its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and rejects the use of chemical weapons by any party under any circumstances.
Sudan stated that a national committee was established, and its preliminary report, based on field tests, forensic reviews and medical data, refuted the allegations; the United States had presented no evidence to the OPCW, and Sudan renewed its invitation to do so.
🇺🇸 United States
United States stated that the United States is in full compliance with its BWC obligations and does not develop or possess such weapons anywhere, that it had provided clarifications through the Article V process, and that the matter is closed.
United States said that Russia and China criticize United States outer space policy to deflect attention from their own work on anti-satellite weapons, and called on them to be transparent about weapons already placed in outer space.
🇮🇷 Islamic Republic of Iran
Islamic Republic of Iran categorically rejected what it called baseless and politically motivated accusations by the United States and the Israeli regime, and condemned them; it stated that the Israeli regime, with the United States complicit through its support, is the entity in the region with the capacity and willingness to produce and use WMDs.
Islamic Republic of Iran stated the United States was in no position to lecture others while obstructing negotiations on a legally binding BWC compliance and verification protocol, maintaining its reservation to the 1925 Geneva Protocol, and evading scrutiny of over 120 biological laboratories across more than 30 countries.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
United Kingdom rejected the Russian Federation's allegations in what it called the strongest possible terms, stating that the claim that the United Kingdom possesses or employs chemical gas grenades was entirely false and without foundation.
United Kingdom called for all states parties to reaffirm the Chemical Weapons Convention's prohibition on the use of riot control agents as a method of warfare and to reject any effort to reinterpret or erode it.
🇯🇵 Japan
Japan stated that Japan remained fully committed to multilateral efforts for arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, including the CWC, and had continued to expand its utmost efforts to destroy abandoned chemical weapons in China.
Japan noted that the ACW project was a joint project between Japan and China, that appropriate and timely cooperation from the Chinese side was necessary to advance it as planned, and that Japan would continue its utmost efforts based on the destruction plan beyond 2022.
🇸🇪 Sweden
Sweden stated that traces of the lethal toxin Apibatidine were confirmed in biological samples from Mr Alexei Navalny, and that three OPCW technical assistance visits confirmed the presence of the riot control agent CS in battlefield samples in Ukraine.
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