Delivered by Ms. Fatema Yousef, Acting Deputy Permanent Representative
New York, 13 October 2025
At the outset, I would like to congratulate Mr. Maurizio Massari on his election as Chair of the First Committee during the 80th session of the General Assembly, and we wish him every success in leading the Committee’s work. We also express our sincere appreciation to his predecessor, Ms. Maritza Chan, for her dedicated efforts and able leadership during the previous session.
The United Arab Emirates aligns itself with the statements delivered by the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab Group, and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Mr. Chair,
The world today is grappling with an unprecedented number of armed conflicts, including those long-standing conflicts in the Middle East. Yet, amid these challenges, recent developments offer a much-needed glimmer of hope for a more stable and peaceful future. In this context, the United Arab Emirates welcomes the announcement of an agreement on the first phase of the ceasefire framework in Gaza and commends the efforts led to this important understanding. We hope this agreement will alleviate the humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip and lay the groundwork for a just and lasting resolution that promotes peace and stability across the region. In this regard, we emphasize the importance of all parties fully adhering to the terms of the agreement and resuming a credible and comprehensive political process leading to the two-state solution.
Mr. Chair,
International agreements and mechanisms related to disarmament and non-proliferation play a vital role in upholding regional and global peace and security, and reinforcing an international order founded on collective security and nuclear non-proliferation. This is particularly important with the continued existence of nuclear weapons around the world, and the ongoing efforts by some states to develop or threaten to use them.
In this context, the importance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), emerges as the cornerstone of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation architecture. We also emphasize the importance of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and call on all Annex II States to take urgent steps to sign and ratify the Treaty without delay, paving the way for its entry into force.
Equally important is the safeguards system of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which serves as a key instrument for verifying compliance with non-proliferation commitments and promoting transparency and trust among states.
In Light of recent developments in the region, we underscore the importance of continuing negotiations to address security concerns related to Iran’s nuclear program through dialogue and diplomacy, while avoiding any military escalation. In this context, we urge Iran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure that its nuclear activities remain exclusively for peaceful purposes.
The United Arab Emirates also condemns the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s ongoing development of nuclear capabilities and ballistic missile programs. These activities pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security and constitute a clear violation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones around the world remains an urgent priority to promote international peace and security and to reduce the risks of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In this regard, the United Arab Emirates looks forward to actively participating in the sixth session of the Conference on the Establishment of a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East, scheduled to take place under the presidency of the Kingdom of Morocco this November.
Mr. Chair,
Multilateral action and global cooperation are fundamental to addressing transnational cyber threats that target the critical infrastructure of nations. This requires the establishment of robust regulatory frameworks that enhance cybersecurity, counter cyberattacks and strengthen stability and digital security at both regional and global levels.
Likewise, the continued advancement of space programs demands enhanced dialogue among states with advanced space capabilities to ensure the sustainability of outer space, prevent an arms race, and uphold the principles of shared responsibility and responsible conduct to maintain a weapons-free space environment.
Women play a vital and indispensable role in multilateral action. Accordingly, we call for continuing the efforts aimed to ensure the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in the decision-making processes related to disarmament. Similarly, we emphasize the importance of empowering youth and engaging them in shaping solutions for disarmament and international security issues, thereby fostering a safer and more stable future for all.
In conclusion, Mr. Chair, the United Arab Emirates regards the 80th anniversary of the United Nations as a pivotal moment to strengthen the Organization’s ability to advance its fundamental mission of promoting multilateralism—especially in the areas of disarmament and non-proliferation—and building comprehensive, sustainable solutions that enhance international peace and security.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.