European Union

Statement on Disarmament and Development

Conference on Disarmament

Geneva, 14 May 2024

Mr. President, 

I have the honour of speaking on behalf of the European Union.

The candidate countries Türkiye, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania[1], Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Georgia align themselves with this statement.

As we resume the work of the Conference on Disarmament, we continue facing an unprecedented level of risk and uncertainty that further threatens global peace and security. In this environment, where conflicts and geopolitical tensions persist, it is imperative to address disarmament and development challenges. As we confront an international context that includes Russia’s actions, irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and threats to use nuclear force in its illegal, unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, as well as conflicts across Africa and Asia, our collective efforts to advance disarmament in conjunction with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remain crucial. The EU underlines that sustainable development is a shared responsibility of all nations and stakeholders. The EU stands at the forefront of mainstreaming the SDGs into its policies and initiatives.

Armed violence undermines the 17 SDGs to which the EU remains committed to implementing. The European Consensus on Development is the EU’s framework for implementing the SDGs and recognises the nexus between development, security and other policies. The SDGs are a cross cutting theme in the implementation of the EU Global Strategy, which provides a vision for the EU’s foreign and security policy for years to come.

The toll of conflicts on civilians sees countless lives lost, displaced or irrevocably impacted. Conflict also causes economic stagnation and the erosion of social cohesion. This is particularly true when hostilities affect civilians, particularly women and children, and civilian objects, including medical facilities, schools, electricity and water plants and other civilian infrastructure. Moreover, the spill over effects of conflicts transcend national borders, undermining regional stability and impeding global development initiatives. The resulting displacement of populations causes a severe human toll, while the disruption of trade routes impedes international cooperation and collective efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

We recall the EU´s resolute support for the implementation and the universalization of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. The Convention has generated a measurable and considerable positive impact on humanitarian protection, stabilization, development and disarmament worldwide, contributing to global peace and security and to the achievements of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Fifth Review Conference scheduled to take place in Cambodia in November will be an important milestone towards achieving the shared goal of an anti-personnel mine-free world.

We recall the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences arising from the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA) as a crucial achievement to reduce civilian suffering.

The European Union reaffirms the message from High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in September 2023, emphasizing the need to step up action in order to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs.

Respective UN General Assembly resolutions also highlight the link between disarmament and development, supported also in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in UN Secretary-General’s Agenda for Disarmament from 2018.

When disarmament and sustainable development work together, it is possible to reduce inequalities and foster sustainable cities and communities. It is indispensable to provide the necessary funds to important social and economic initiatives that can contribute to greater equality also in times of geopolitical tensions. To highlight but a few of the concrete benefits of disarmament measures, they mitigate the risk of storage depots accidentally exploding in populated areas thus reducing the likelihood of humanitarian catastrophes leading to death, injury, economic loss, displacement and destruction of infrastructure and private property. This also contributes to urban safety and security by containing uncontrolled dissemination and the misuse of small arms. Disarmament, through relevant treaties and measures, can also limit harmful effects of contamination from remnants of war, of weapons of mass destruction and other damages to the environment and humans.

In this vein, we emphasise the urgent need for concerted action towards disarmament and we call upon all states to recommit fully to the pursuit of peace, sustainable development, as well as enhancing investment in education, healthcare, and infrastructure to uplift communities.

I thank you, Mr. President.

[1] North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.