The State of Qatar has reiterated its commitment to disarmament efforts around the globe, and has voiced its support to protecting humanity from the devastation of deadly weapons. Working towards maintaining global peace and security has been the state’s longstanding policy.
Speaking at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H E Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, said Qatar pursues a consistent and clear national policy on disarmament issues based on its commitment to its responsibilities towards maintaining international peace and security, and in its belief in the need to support all efforts aimed at disarmament in the world.
Doha has also welcomed the agreement between the United States and Russia to extend the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). Qatar’s envoy at the Geneva conference said the extension of the treaty was a right step towards limiting and getting rid of the nuclear armament cycle.
Al Hammadi said the Middle East region faces an important security dilemma represented by the presence and use of weapons of mass destruction. This situation constitutes a real threat that must be addressed. In this regard, he reaffirmed Qatar’s full support for holding a new session of the United Nations conference on establishing a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East during this year.
Establishing such a zone in the region will also contribute to achieving security, stability, peace and sustainable development, as well as enhancing the credibility of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, especially in light of the existing regional and international tensions.
Doha has signed a number of global accords on disarmament and, in 2004, also set up a National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons.
At the Geneva session, Qatar called on the international community, especially the countries sponsoring the 1995 resolution, which was mainly related to the endless extension of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, to fulfill their responsibilities and duties towards implementing the resolutions of the 2010 conference, and other relevant decisions. It also affirmed the legitimate right of all countries, especially developing countries, to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, in accordance with the standards and procedures of the International Atomic Energy Agency and under its supervision and in line with the comprehensive safeguards system.
The envoy also called on the Conference on Disarmament to review and expand its membership in order to be more representative.
