Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Thank you, Chair.
With the international community grappling with the implications of new and escalating conflicts, the highest level of nuclear risk since the end of the Cold War, and new security challenges in the space and cyber domains, it is important that we also remain focused on conventional weapons issues.
As we have seen demonstrated Russia’s illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, this year has witnessed many examples of the use of illegal weapons, and of the use of legal weapons in unlawful ways – many in flagrant violations of international humanitarian law. We have seen uses of anti-personnel landmines, cluster munitions and phosphorus munitions, and the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
New Zealand condemns all such use, and calls for all states that have yet to do so to sign up to and implement the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, the Convention on Cluster Munitions and relevant protocols to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. Now is the time to shore up the important norms at the heart of these treaties, demonstrating our commitment to upholding international humanitarian law and strengthening the protection of civilians.
Chair,
With all the challenges we are facing, New Zealand is very pleased to have at least one area of progress to celebrate this year – namely, the conclusion of the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA). Led expertly by Ireland, the negotiation of this Declaration has been a long process, reflecting the experience that many states and civilian populations have had of urban warfare over a long period. These experiences, which have been felt around the world and for many years, make a compelling case for greater protection of civilians caught in the crossfire of urban warfare.
New Zealand appreciates Ireland’s strong leadership, the vision and commitment of an ever-growing group of states, and the tireless advocacy and welcome expertise of international organisations and civil society groups – all of whom have come together to create this significant document. We strongly support the Political Declaration, and the practical measures it will put in place to protect civilians from the harm caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. We encourage all countries to sign up to the instrument and to play their part in its universalisation and full implementation.
Chair,
The rapid development of autonomous weapons systems (AWS) pose serious legal, ethical and security challenges. Addressing these concerns through new, legally binding rules and limits is one of the most pressing items on the disarmament agenda.
A majority of states want to see real progress made on AWS through new prohibitions, rules, and limits. And despite the efforts of a few to frustrate multilateral progress in the CCW, States have begun to coalesce around several areas of convergence – as evidenced by the joint statement delivered by Austria today on behalf of [x] states including New Zealand.
As a contribution towards this progress, New Zealand was pleased to sponsor work by UNIDIR to identify those areas of convergence, including through a workshop in of interested states in Geneva earlier this year.
It now falls to the High Contracting Parties of the CCW to prove they can meaningfully translate the development of substantive understandings into formal, agreed progress. We look forward to working with all CCW parties to this end.
Chair,
The social, economic and humanitarian consequences associated with the illicit trade in conventional arms continue to motivate our support for the Arms Trade Treaty. The ATT’s strengthened regulation of the trade in conventional arms makes an important contribution to international and regional security and the reduction of human suffering.
Full implementation of the Treaty is key to the realisation of its goals. As the outgoing Chair of the ATT’s Voluntary Trust Fund, New Zealand has been pleased to contribute closely to this work since 2019, and we urge all States looking for assistance to implement the ATT to consider submitting a project application to the VTF. The VTF is a unique, effective and powerful tool for improving implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty’s provisions.
Thank you, Chair.