STATEMENT

By H.E. Ambassador Pham Vinh Quang

Deputy Permanent Representative

of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations

at the 2012 Substantive Session of the UN Disarmament Commission

New York, 02 – 20/4/2012

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Mr. Chairman,

Let me join the others in congratulating you on your election as Chairman of this important substantive Session. My delegation is confident that under your wise guidance and experienced leadership, the work of the Commission will achieve a successful outcome. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ms. Angela Kane on her recent appointment as the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs. Viet Nam aligns itself with the statement made by the  distinguished representative of  Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Mr. Chairman,

Our Session commences at an important juncture, when the Commission marked its sixtieth anniversary and began a new three-year cycle of work. Over the past year, we have witnessed some positive developments in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation including  the recent conclusion of review conferences of biological weapons convention, the chemical weapons convention. More international conferences and meetings related to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation will take place in 2012 such as the First Preparatory Committee for the 2015 NPT Review Conference, the UN Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty and the long-awaited 2012 Conference on a Middle East Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone. These positive developments showed that there are commitments and political will in pursuing the disarmament agenda.

Without denying these positive developments, we have to face the fact that challenges are remain enormous and far from over. There still exists a nuclear stockpile capable of destroying the entire world many times over. The situation of proliferation of nuclear weapons is undergoing new and complex developments. During the substantive Sessions of two previous cycles, it is regrettable that the UNDC  has failed to achieve intended results. To effectively break the deadlock, it is crucial that member states  should pursue good-faith, flexibility and redouble efforts to reach agreement on the agenda, supporting the aims of the UNDC for the cause of disarmament, especially towards the total elimination of all weapons of mass destruction. Due to time constraints, I wish to highlight a number of issues:

First, we share the view that nuclear weapons today continue to pose as the most serious threat to international peace and security. Given the exceptionally catastrophic consequences of these horrific weapons for mankind, the only absolute guarantee against nuclear war is the total elimination of  nuclear weapons. In this connection, we emphasize the need to start negotiations on this issue without further delay. Negotiation process should be based on fundamental principles agreed at the  First Special Session of the UN  General  Assembly  (SSOD-I) and aimed at strengthening peace and international security, achieving the ultimate goal of the elimination of the danger of a nuclear war and the implementation of measures to halt and reverse the arms race.  

Second, Viet Nam values the role of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime. The full implementation of the Treaty in a balanced manner would safeguard the world from potential devastation of nuclear weapons. In this regard, we urge the Nuclear Weapons States to undertake the implementation of 64 sets of concrete actions contained in the Outcome Document of the 2010 NPT Review Conference. We call for efforts aimed at non-proliferation to be made in tandem with efforts aimed at disarmament.

Third, Viet Nam wishes to reaffirm the importance of the Conference on Disarmament as the sole multilateral negotiating body on disarmament. We calls on the CD to agree on a balanced and comprehensive programme of work as soon as possible. It is important to start negotiations on a phased programme for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons with a specified framework of time, as well as to prohibit their development, production, acquisition, testing, stockpiling, transfer, use or threat of use, and to provide for their destruction. Viet Nam attaches great importance to the immediate commencement and early conclusion of the negotiations on a Treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons (FMCT).

Fourth, my delegation underlines the importance of achieving universal adherence to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). We are happy to note that there is a steady increase in the number of signatory and ratifying States to the Treaty. To enable the CTBT to enter into force without any further delay, we are convinced that the Nuclear Weapons States should take a leading role in the field of global peace and security and their ratifications would pay the way and further encourage the remaining countries to follow suit. Meanwhile, pending the CTBT's entry into force, all States should maintain a moratorium on nuclear-weapon-test explosions or any other nuclear explosions, and refrain from acts that would undermine the objectives and purposes of this Treaty.

 

At the same time, my delegation wishes to reiterate that the legitimate rights of all states to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination should be fully respected in conformity with Article IV of the Treaty and IAEA safeguards system.

 

Mr. Chairman,

It is a consistent policy of Viet Nam to strive for peace and support non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction towards general and complete disarmament. Viet Nam has acceded to all major multilateral treaties on prohibiting weapons of mass destruction and has been an active member of many United Nations disarmament bodies. In the region of South East Asia, it is also  closely working with other Member States of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other partners in the implementation of the Treaty on the South East Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ) and its Plan of Action. I assure you that Viet Nam will fully cooperate with other member states to bring the UNDC to a satisfactory outcome, contributing to the maintenance of world peace and security

I thank you.