UAE stresses to declare Middle East as nuclear free zone

The United Arab Emirates participated on Tuesday in the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, NPT, held at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, headed the UAE delegation, which also included the UAE Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Hamad Al-Kaabi, and UAE Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Lana Zaki Nusseibeh.

In his statement to the conference, Dr. Al Jaber emphasised that stemming from its commitment to ensuring global peace and security, the UAE attaches high importance to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. He highlighted the fact that the UAE supports the right of countries' peaceful use of nuclear energy that adheres to the principle of transparency and abides by the highest standards of security and safety, citing the UAE's peaceful nuclear programme as a role model.

"The UAE began construction of its first nuclear reactor in 2012. This event marked the first construction of a nuclear reactor in a new programme in more than 27 years. Today, we consider this peaceful programme a role model on how non-nuclear countries can utilise the international framework of cooperation, as provided for by the Treaty," he said.

Al Jaber highlighted the importance of reinforcing the International Atomic Energy Agency's capacity to support the expansion of peaceful nuclear programmes, calling for developing measures to strengthen the objectives of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, including the adoption of the Additional Protocol to the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

He also called for the elimination of nuclear weapons worldwide, urging nuclear states to abide by their commitments in this regard. Also, he stressed the need to adopt practical steps to declare the Middle East as a nuclear weapons free zone, calling for convening the Middle East Conference, originally scheduled in 2012, as early as possible with the participation of all regional states.

In his statement, Al Jaber reiterated the importance of adhering to the basic principles of the NPT, including the nuclear states' commitment to fully disarm and eliminate their nuclear weapons. He called for strengthening the international frameworks of cooperation to support peaceful nuclear energy programs through a strong system of safeguards and verification.

Al Jaber stressed the importance of sustaining these principles and adhering to their implementation and reinforcement in order to promote global peace and security.

The Minister held several bilateral meetings with other heads of delegations on the sideline of the conference to discuss aspects of cooperation.
Source: WAM