European Union

Statement at the High-Level Segment of

the Conference on Disarmament

by EU Special Envoy

Marjolijn van Deelen

Geneva, 26 February 2024

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.

As we convene at the High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament, we face unprecedented security risks and uncertainties that threaten global peace and security. In an era dominated by Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, now ongoing for more than two years, and the situation in the Middle East and marked by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, our collective efforts to advance disarmament, non-proliferation, and peace are more crucial than ever.

The EU reiterates its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and poses significant threats to the established disarmament architecture as well as to global security by eroding trust in multilateral institutions essential for progress. The EU reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and its inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression. The EU condemns Russia’s actions, irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and threats to use nuclear force in its illegal, unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, which further demonstrate how Russia’s repeated actions undermine international peace and security. In addition, the EU condemns the continued military support for Russia’s war of aggression provided by Iran, Belarus and the DPRK. It also urges all countries not to provide material or other support for Russia’s war of aggression. Russia and its leadership must be held fully accountable for waging this war and for other most serious crimes under international law.

With regards to the situation in the Middle East, we are very concerned about the the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the suffering of the hostages. We reiterate our condemnation in the strongest possible terms of Hamas for its brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks across Israel. The EU recalls that Israel has the right to defend itself in line with international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law. We reiterate our call on Hamas to immediately release all hostages without any precondition. The EU and its Member States underline the obligation to ensure the protection of all civilians at all times in line with international humanitarian law. We deplore all loss of civilian life. We urge all sides to respect international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and note that there must be accountability for violations of international law. The EU takes note of the 26 January order of the International Court of Justice, which is legally binding. We call for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need through humanitarian pauses that would lead to a sustainable solution. The EU is determined to pursue its action in favour of regional stability and to avoid all risks of escalation.

Mr. President,

Amidst a deteriorating international security environment and increasing proliferation crises, there is growing concern about heightened risks. We encourage initiatives that can contribute to dialogue, confidence-building, transparency, verification activities, reporting and risk reduction, which are urgently required in the current context.

The EU calls for intensified dialogue, including on strategic stability, increased transparency and confidence building measures by all nuclear weapon States to promote further progress in disarmament, also in line with Action 5 of the 2010 NPT Action Plan, which inter alia calls upon Nuclear Weapons States to enhance transparency and increase mutual confidence. In this regard, the EU acknowledges the efforts thus far by some nuclear-weapon States, including France, to demonstrate increased transparency on their doctrines and the nuclear weapons they possess and calls on others to do likewise. We reiterate the EU’s strong, resolute and continuous support for all three pillars of the NPT and will continue to promote comprehensive, balanced and substantive full implementation of the 2010 Review Conference Action plan, which is a collective responsibility shared by all States Parties to the NPT without exception. We stress the need for concrete progress towards the full implementation of Article VI, especially through the overall reduction in the global stockpile of nuclear weapons, taking into account the special responsibility of the States that possess the largest nuclear arsenals. The EU strongly encourages seeking further reductions to their arsenals, including strategic and non-strategic, deployed and non-deployed nuclear weapons. We stress the need to implement all obligations under the NPT, and commitments from previous Review Conferences, including the need for concrete progress towards the full implementation of Article VI, with the ultimate goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

Given the rapid and extensive build-up of China’s nuclear arsenal, we call on China to join future arms control agreements. and to respond positively to calls for an arms control dialogue as a first step. The EU urges China to immediately take measures to improve transparency on its nuclear weapons and doctrince, to refrain from further build-up, which is not in line with its commitments under the NPT, and to pursure risk reduction measures. Pending a future agreement on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for use in nuclear weapons or other explosive devices (FMCT), we call on the only nuclear weapon State that has not yet done so to declare and uphold an immediate moratorium on the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. The EU stands ready to support the immediate commencement and early conclusion of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament of the FMCT, in accordance with document CD/1299 and the mandate contained therein. The EU attaches the highest importance to the New START Treaty and calls on Russia to immediately return to full implementation of the New START Treaty and fulfil all its obligations. We call for urgent negotiations of a successor agreement. The EU also deplores the unprecedented decision of Russia to revoke its ratification of the CTBT.

We want to welcome CTBTO Executive Secretary Robert Floyd to the Conference on Disarmament. Promoting universal adherence to and the entry into force of the CTBT remains a key priority for the EU.

The enhancement of verification mechanisms, including efforts to develop a regime for the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), is crucial to combatting the proliferation of WMD effectively. We are working towards the establishment of a Science and Technology Mechanism in the BTWC that will be in a position to map and assess security risks of new and emerging technologies, including biotechnologies and AI, and provide policy advice to States Parties. We support strengthening the United Nations Secretary-General’s Mechanism for the investigation of an alleged use of chemical and biological weapons (UNSGM), which is the only independent international mechanism to investigate an alleged use of biological weapons.

As we look ahead, we will stand ready to work towards a comprehensive agreement for the Pact for the Future. This Pact should contribute to strengthening the international disarmament and non-proliferation regimes, address emerging threats and promote responsible state behaviour.

Improving space security today is paramount, as all States, be they space-faring nations or not, are increasingly reliant on space systems and services. Satellites and other space-based assets, their corresponding ground segments, and their associated data links are vital for the functioning of today’s societies, as well as for progress on crucial global issues such as achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals or  the Pact for the Future. Therefore, when addressing space threats, the EU reiterates the importance of an inclusive format and a multi-stakeholder approach, inclusing engagement with international organisations, commercial actors, and civil society representatives.

The EU remains strongly committed to the prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS), as a general goal, which is essential for strengthening international security and stability and for safeguarding the free exploration and long-term use of the space environment for peaceful purposes. International law, in particular the United Nations Charter, the UN treaties on outer space and international humanitarian law, is applicable to outer space. While reaffirming the importance of ultimately developing legally-binding norms to prevent an arms race in outer space, the EU and its Member States believe that developing norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours in space is the most pragmatic and immediate way forward to make progress on PAROS and improve space security, using a step by step approach.

Given the escalating nature of international cyber threats, it is more important than ever to deepen our collaboration with international partners and the multistakeholders community, promote a shared understanding on how international law applies in cyberspace, in particular the Charter of the United Nations, in the use of ICTs and how to further implement the United Nations framework of responsible State behaviour. We can only ensure an open, free, stable, secure, accessible and peaceful cyberspace effectively if we collaborate, improve coordination and complementarity, break silos and create new, innovative methods to address malicious cyber behaviour. We welcome the strong commitment of the international community to establish no later than 2026 a permanent, inclusive and action-oriented mechanism to advance responsible State behaviour in the use of information and communications technologies, acknowledging the applicability of international law in cyberspace, adherence to voluntary non-binding norms of state behaviour, the importance of capacity building, and the enhancement of practical confidence-building measures to reduce the risk of conflict.

The EU encourages further international dialogue and cooperation to address the opportunities and challenges presented by AI in the military domain, including questions related to biases such as gender, and supports efforts to exchange best practices and foster a common understanding of the legal and ethical implications. The EU stands ready to actively engage in discussions in all relevant fora to further advance common understanding of this important issue.

The EU remains committed to pursue the work on lethal autonomous weapons systems within the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) with a view to ensuring that there is an outcome that reflects that human beings must make the decisions with regard to the use of lethal force, must exert control over lethal autonomous weapons systems that they use and remain accountable for decisions over the use of force in order to ensure compliance with International Law in particular International Humanitarian Law, taking into account ethical considerations.

Mr. President,

At the opening of its 2024 session, the CD faced another setback in its work when requests to participate in the CD as observers were blocked. This situation is deeply troubling and raises further questions around the effective functioning of the CD. It is also not in line with the core principle of multilateralism. Concerning the Member States of the EU that were rejected, we condemn Russia’s unprecedented objection based solely on political grounds which demonstrates a significant obstruction to multilateralism. It represents a blatant disregard for the principle of inclusivity and undermines the credibility of the CD as a single disarmament negotiation body and as a forum addressing crucial security challenges. The EU firmly rejects Russia’s decision, which erodes trust among participants and hinder collective efforts to tackle global security issues. We also strongly oppose Türkiye’s repeated objections to Cyprus’s request. These regretful decisions also disregard the UN General Assembly resolution on the Report of the Conference on Disarmament (A/RES/78/61) adopted by consensus last year.

We are very concerned that the CD continues to be deadlocked hindering its ability to make progress on disarmament issues. This situation has profound implications for global security and disarmament efforts. Strong political will is required from all CD members if we are to break the impasse and bring the CD back on track. Let us seize this opportunity and work together to build a stronger, more effective CD that meets the expectations of the international community in the 21st century. We must advance technical, substantive work and broaden areas of agreement so that we are better prepared to start negotiations, and modernize our working methods. We stand ready to engage in constructive dialogue and cooperate closely with all States to ensure progress in the Conference's work.

I thank you Mr. President