Delivered by Mr. Mohammed Rashid AlBeek
New York, October 21, 2025
Mr. Chair,
At the outset, the United Arab Emirates aligns itself with the statements delivered by the Arab Group and the Non-Aligned Movement and underscores the importance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.
In this regard, the United Arab Emirates looks forward to the 2026 NPT Review Conference as a pivotal milestone for advancing nuclear disarmament and revitalizing multilateral diplomacy—particularly in light of the failure to adopt an outcome document at the previous two Conferences. The UAE calls on all Member States to demonstrate genuine political will and to engage actively and constructively in the Conference, with a view to achieving concrete and substantive outcomes that reinforce both the effectiveness and universality of the Treaty.
Mr. Chair,
The United Arab Emirates believes that the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East has become an urgent priority and underscores the importance of implementing the 1995 NPT Resolution on the Middle East. In this regard, we also look forward to the upcoming UN Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction, to be held next November under the presidency of the Kingdom of Morocco, and we urge all participants to engage in the conference’s discussions in good faith with a view to achieving a binding treaty that advances to the establishment of this zone.
The entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is a vital step towards the realization of a world free of nuclear weapons. Accordingly, my country calls on the Annex II States to expedite the signing and ratification of this treaty to facilitate its entry into force as soon as possible.
We also emphasize the vital role of IAEA safeguards system, as a reliable mechanism, in strengthening the non-proliferation regime and ensuring the use of nuclear materials and facilities for peaceful purposes only. In this context, and in line with our unwavering commitment to transparency, the highest safety standards, and adherence to international best practices in our national nuclear energy program, my country has concluded a comprehensive safeguards agreement with the IAEA and signed its Additional Protocol.
We seize this opportunity to renew our call for states whose nuclear activities have raised international concerns to fully and constructively cooperate with the IAEA, and to take all necessary measures to resolve the outstanding issues and restore confidence in the peaceful nature of their nuclear programs.
In conclusion, Mr. Chair, we call on all Member States to support the Arab draft resolution entitled ‘The Risks of Nuclear Proliferation in the Middle East’.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.