May 17th

As delivered during the Plenary Meeting

 

 

Statement by Ambassador Mine to introduce

the Working Paper on disarmament and non-proliferation education

at the NPT Review Conference

 

 

Mr. President,

Distinguished delegates,

 

On behalf of the following countries – Egypt, Hungary, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Sweden and Japan – I would like to introduce a working paper on disarmament and non-proliferation education. This paper builds on the working papers presented by these countries at the 2003 and 2004 Preparatory Committees to the NPT.

 

Disarmament and non-proliferation education plays an invaluable role in our efforts to implement obligations under the NPT and ensures governments, diplomats and international institutions remain accountable for their actions in this regard. It also assists NPT States Parties in increasing awareness of the ever present dangers of nuclear weapons and in creating a deeper understanding of the NPT regime as a whole. A steadfast approach is needed to tackle the current challenges we are facing, and disarmament and non-proliferation education provides the necessary impetus to move our efforts forward.

 

We particularly welcome the valuable input from the NGO community which has been manifested during this Review Conference so far. Efforts made by NGOs in this regard play an essential role in the promotion of disarmament and non-proliferation.

 

This working paper aims to encourage Governments, the United Nations and other international organisations, regional organisations, civil society, academic organisations and the media to actively collaborate in the pursuit of their implementation of the UN study recommendations, and to encourage them to take concrete steps toward this end. It contains a series of concise and practical recommendations to further the aims of the NPT.

 

We encourage other States Parties to join us in promoting disarmament and non-proliferation education and welcome the strong support expressed by Argentina, Canada and Kyrgyzstan for this Working Paper. We call upon States to voluntarily share information during this Review Conference on efforts they have been making in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation, and in particular to implement the recommendations in the UN study to promote disarmament and non-proliferation education and training. We hope this working paper will encourage all States to take active measures to this end.

 

Thank you.