Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid Friday delivered a pre-recorded video statement at the high level event of the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly, held to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
In his statement, Minister Shahid noted the importance placed by the UN on the elimination of nuclear arsenals and weapons of mass destruction, as it forms the basis of the UN’s founding ideals. He also expressed concern regarding the current existence of nuclear weapons across the globe and urged states that have not ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons to join the cause as a matter of urgency. He further stressed on the benefits of disarmament as a vital component of the implementation of Goal Sixteen of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and of international peace and security.
Highlighting the traditional position of Maldives as a nation without any nuclear aspirations, Minister Shahid noted that the Maldives was one of the original signatories to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. He also reiterated the commitment of the Maldives towards global peace and security and the role played by the Maldives as a strong advocate of regional stability. He then provided an overview of the efforts undertaken by the Government in this regard, including the accession to international instruments such as the Arms Trade Treaty, the Cluster Munitions Convention and the Nuclear Prohibition Treaty.
The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is celebrated on 26 September each year. To commemorate this occasion, the event aimed to raise awareness on the threats posed to humanity by nuclear weapons and the necessity for their total elimination in order to achieve a nuclear-weapon-free world. The event, held primarily in virtual format, hosted high level representatives from over 100 UN Member States.
