Mr. Chair,

Currently, the international security situation is undergoing profound and complex changes. Some countries are instigating cold war mentality, big power competition and bloc confrontation, the multilateral disarmament machinery is facing pressure never seen before, and the international arms control and non-proliferation system is confronting severe challenges.

The Conference on Disarmament (CD) bogged down in the prolonged stalemate, the discussions on nuclear disarmament in the UN Disarmament Commission have not made any substantial progress, the willingness for a consensus in UN First Committee has further decreased, and parallel processes continue to emerge. The first session of Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) has failed to reach substantial progress and the Fifth Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention concluded without an outcome.

Having said that, the CD continued to hold substantial discussions on all disarmament agenda items in plenary meetings this year and reached its final report by consensus, and the UNDC adopted recommendations on the issue of outer space security by consensus this year, the Ninth Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention adopted the final document, and relevant UN Groups of Governmental Expert have also achieved positive results. China welcome these progress.

Mr. Chair,

For a long time, the multilateral disarmament machinery and relevant Convention mechanisms have played a vital role in maintaining the stability of international security order, and promoting international arms control and non-proliferation process. Under the current circumstances, the multilateral disarmament machinery should be strengthened rather than weakened.

It is important to draw on the experiences and lessons in the field of disarmament over the past year.

Firstly, we should uphold a correct vision of security. The multilateral disarmament machinery should be a platform to promote common security, rather than a battlefield for political confrontation. All parties should uphold a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, fully respect the security concerns of all states. On the basis of equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, all parties should adopt a constructive and professional approach to strengthen communication, enhance trust and reduce misunderstanding, so as to build consensus and create new momentum for the revitalization of multilateral disarmament machinery.

Secondly, we should have firm confidence in the existing disarmament machinery. The machinery does not work in a vacuum. We cannot blame disarmament machinery itself or its rules of procedure for the current problems. Anyone should not attempt to undermine the existing disarmament machinery or start a new one. The CD adopted a simplified Programme of Work by consensus under China’s presidency last year and the UNDC made progress on the issue of outer space security last April. These facts demonstrate that breaking the dilemma facing the machinery is not a mission impossible. The solution is to uphold true multilateralism, display political will and respect the legitimate concerns of all states. We should enhance mutual trust and bridge differences through sincere dialogue and try to expand common ground in the spirit of consensus. At the same time, the international community should oppose any selective, unilateral and utilitarian approach, and firmly uphold the authority of multilateral disarmament machinery.

Thirdly, we should actively respond to the new issues and new challenges. The traditional problems and emerging challenges are intertwined. The emerging technologies and their military application have profound impact on global strategic security landscape. The scope of arms control are gradually expanding. The multilateral disarmament machinery should conduct its work on traditional items pursuant to its mandate, and also keep pace with times and work on new key security topics at appropriate time on the basis of full discussions and consensus, in order to address all kinds of new threats and challenges.

Mr. Chair,

The UN Secretary General just put forward a New Agenda for Peace, including a New Vision for Disarmament, which will play an important role in strengthening the main channel role of UN in the field of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation and revitalizing multilateral disarmament machinery. China appreciates the efforts made by UN and the Secretary General, and stands ready to work with all parties to work tirelessly to maintain and strengthen the multilateral disarmament machinery and promote the international arms control and disarmament mechanisms.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.