UN General Assembly First Committee: Treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices (L.12) introduction

Check against delivery.

October 27, 2023

Distinguished delegates,

Canada, in cooperation with Germany and the Netherlands, has the honour to introduce the proposed resolution on a Treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices (A/C.1/78/L.12).

Stopping the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons is an indispensable step towards a world free of nuclear weapons. To achieve this common objective, we need increased political will towards commencing negotiations. This is long overdue.

We thank the vast majority of delegations who have consistently supported this resolution, year after year. And we appeal to all delegations to vote in support of the resolution this year.

Advancements in the resolution this year presented by the co-sponsors are designed to highlight the importance of political will and prioritize efforts to build it.

It has been 30 years since UN General Assembly resolution 48/75 called for negotiations. In that time, we have deepened our collective understanding of what it will take to adopt and implement a treaty. Despite efforts to advance a treaty, the fact that negotiations have not commenced reflects the insufficient political support amongst key players to negotiate a treaty. The result is that, politically, we are no closer to the start of negotiations than we were in 1993. In some ways, we are further apart. We cannot continue with the status quo.

The reality is that, despite differing stances, key states need to come to the table and undertake negotiations without pre-conditions. In this regard, the new operative paragraph four calls on States that possess or produce fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices to engage in transparency and confidence building measures (TCBMs) among themselves. It also requests the UN Secretary General and High-Representative for Disarmament Affairs to play an important facilitation role. The paragraph aims to advance meaningful dialogue and progress toward negotiations.

As in last year’s resolution, operative paragraph three recognizes the voluntary fissile material moratoria adopted by some states that possess or produce fissile material for nuclear weapons. These moratoria are an important confidence-building step. It is crucial that we recognize the growing norm against the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.

We urge you to support this resolution, as tabled by the sponsors, so that we can help to build political will and commence treaty negotiations without further delay.