Ambassador Osama Abdel Khalek, Egypt’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, participated in the second session of the Conference on the establishment of the nuclear-weapon-free zone and all other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East held in New York.
In his speech during the meeting, Abdul Khaliq referred to the challenges facing the international nuclear non-proliferation system, of which the Treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons (NPT) is the cornerstone.
He continued that the 1995 resolution on the Middle East had not been implemented, despite being an integral part of the Infinite extension deal for the NPT.
The success of the work of the second session of the Conference would be reversed in general on the chances of success for the next review conference for the NPT.
He stressed the importance of completing this course until its intended goal is to establish the empty area in accordance with the 1995 resolution and the Audit Plan of Action for 2010, on the basis of the principles of consensus and free will of Member States.
Ambassador Abdul Khaliq also expressed looking for the participation of all Member States in the region, as well as all parties’ observers in the work of the Conference, to support efforts to achieve the desired objectives, taking into account the absence of a globalization of the NPT.
For his part, the Secretary-General António Guterres, said that the world is witnessing the establishment of five nuclear-weapon-free zones contributing to supporting disarmament issues and reducing tension in those areas, stressing the importance of establishing the null area in the Middle East.
He added that the establishment of this empty area will contribute to supporting security, stability and reducing tension and suspending arms race, contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals and achieving security and stability in the region.
Guterres called on all states invited to participate in the conference to support the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons in the Middle East.
