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Delivered by: His Excellency Mohamed Abushahab, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative

Madam President,

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing and welcome the participation of the Republic of Korea in today’s meeting.

Two nights ago, the people of Hokkaido were put in grave danger by the DPRK’s most recent illegal intercontinental ballistic missile launch, which landed off the coast of Japan. Since then, the DPRK launched another two ballistic missiles. The UAE strongly condemns this latest provocation by the DPRK. In less than one year, the DPRK has launched more than seventy ballistic missiles, including nine ICBMs – each in violation of Security Council resolutions. We stand in solidarity with the people of Japan and the Republic of Korea who continue to suffer first-hand the fear and anxiety resulting from the DPRK’s reckless and provocative behavior. The DPRK’s behaviour is not only threatening its neighbours; its reverberations are global, as proliferation anywhere undermines stability and security everywhere.

As the DPRK continues to choose the path of escalation, the UAE remains deeply concerned by the heightened nuclear rhetoric in the region and the prospects that the DPRK will conduct a seventh nuclear test. We call on the DPRK to respect international law, abide by the Security Council’s resolutions, and return to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Madam President,

The Security Council must protect the global disarmament and non-proliferation architecture from further erosion and flagrant violations. Despite the establishment of a stringent sanctions regime by this Council, the DPRK has continued in its development of an illegal nuclear weapons programme. The Council must address and combat the new methods by which the DPRK finances its illegal weapons programme and must simultaneously ensure that all Member States faithfully implement the sanctions already in place.

Regrettably, the DPRK continues to prioritize proliferation and escalation over the urgent humanitarian needs of its population. We urge the DPRK to cooperate with the UN and the international community, to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation impacting its people, and to allow humanitarian assistance to resume within the country.

Madam President,

It is time for the DPRK to abandon its threats and intimidation and return to dialogue. And it is time for the Security Council to speak with one voice on this file. The status quo is both dangerous and unsustainable. Thank you, Madam President.