Iran’s UN Envoy: Total Elimination of WMD is Top Priority

Local Editor

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Golamali Khoshroo expressed grave concern over the threat posed to humankind by the existing weapons of mass destruction [WMD], particularly nuclear weapons, and underlined the need for their total elimination.

Addressing a Security Council Open Debate on Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction on behalf of Non-Aligned Movement [NAM] on Tuesday, Khoshroo said the Movement is satisfied with the consensus among States on measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.

He further added that the movement, in this regard, welcomes the adoption by consensus of General Assembly Resolution 70/36 entitled 'Measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction'.

"Underlining the need for this threat to humanity to be addressed within the UN framework and through international cooperation, NAM calls upon all States to support international efforts to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction," Khoshroo said in his speech.

The ambassador went on to say that "NAM also urges all States to take and strengthen national measures, as appropriate, to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and materials and technologies related to their manufacture."

Khoshroo stressed the need to eliminate WMD saying that "The Movement reaffirms that the total elimination of nuclear weapons is the only absolute guarantee against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons, and pending the total elimination of nuclear weapons."

He added that the movement "calls for the early commencement of negotiations on effective, universal, unconditional, non-discriminatory, irrevocable and legally binding security assurances to all non­ nuclear-weapon States by all the nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons under all circumstances as a matter of high priority."

In this context, Iran's UN envoy condemned the use of chemical weapons in Syria, adding that NAM member states "acknowledge the accession of the Syrian Arab Republic to the Convention and the commitment to implement its obligations."

Khoshroo continued: "They furthermore encouraged the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to continue its commitment towards the elimination of the country's chemical weapons program."

The NAM reiterated its willingness "to cooperate with other partners in addressing the threats posed to humankind by the existing weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team