At the outset, I would like to join the preceding speakers in congratulating you for assuming the important responsibility of presiding over this Conference. My delegation and I commend you for the skillful manner in which you are presiding over our deliberations and wish to assure you of our full support and cooperation.
We would like to align ourselves with the statements made by the distinguished representatives of Iran and Nigeria, for and on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the African Union, respectively.
the following are additional remarks in my national capacity:
I would like to convey our deep condolences and solidarity to the Government and the people of Nepal following the powerful devastating earthquake that struck the country last week.
Madam President,
This Conference provides us with a unique opportunity to recommit to the goals and objectives of the NPT, which has been in force for the past 45 years. It also provides us with an opportunity to undertake a frank assessment of the implementation of the Treaty, by both nuclear and non-nuclear weapons States alike.
Tanzania acceded to the NPT 21 years after it had entered into force. Despite the delay in acceding and our reservations thereof, we remain truthful and committed to the Treaty, and our vision for a stable, secure, safer world, free of all weapons of mass destruction has never faltered.
Our assessment of the implementation of the NPT over the years is somewhat troubling. During the 45 years of its implementation, the world has witnessed an unabated development of nuclear weapons, both qualitatively and quantitatively, with a few States entering the league of nuclear possessors.
We are especially concerned that, while most non-nuclear weapon States have lived up to their side of the bargain, the nuclear-weapon states are falling short in their obligations.
This disparity needs redress. Among other issues, the Conference must address the gaps that persist in the implementation of the NPT and make concrete recommendations for bridging them.
We believe that those who ascribe to the goals of the NPT, nuclear and non-nuclear weapon States alike, need to do more to demonstrate to the non-State parties and the strayed, that NPT remains the only viable way towards nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. We believe, it is actions not pronouncements that would yield the eagerly anticipated goal of the universalization of the NPT.
Madam President,
Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is an urgent global imperative. The humanitarian consequences of any nuclear weapon detonation would undoubtedly be catastrophic.
It has the assurance of not only spreading across our borders but also to irreparably contaminate our environment and ensure dire consequences to the natural ecosystem, permanently destroying it for generations to come.
The nuclear devastation as witnessed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 would be manifold in the current context. Therefore, our reaffirmation to save successive generations of the scourge of nuclear weapons must be real and tangible.
It is therefore in the interest of the very survival of humanity that nuclear weapons are NEVER AGAIN used in our world, under any circumstances. A legal instrument prohibiting such usage should therefore strengthen the NPT by fulfilling the Treaty's disarmament and non-proliferation objectives.
Such instrument would fulfill and strengthen the NPT by creating conditions for disarmament, including establishing clear guidelines against the possession and use of nuclear weapons. In our view, it would also challenge the ill-advised assertion that nuclear weapons provide security guarantees.
Madam President,
We need not overemphasize the fact that the NPT in its broader perspective is the cornerstone of world efforts aimed at the eventual cessation of the arms race and the elimination of nuclear weapons.
We sincerely hope and expect that all commitments, which constitute the integral part of the Treaty, will be fully respected and implemented.
The United Republic of Tanzania believes that significant progress in Nuclear Disarmament and Nuclear Non-Proliferation are necessary as these two are closely related and mutually reinforcing. We believe that, the slow pace of Nuclear Disarmament weakens the Non-Proliferation regime.
Non-Proliferation derives its legitimacy from the larger objective of Nuclear Disarmament. Therefore, the two regimes should be pursued simultaneously and not one at the cost of the other.
Among the challenges hindering the move towards complete disarmament and Non-Proliferation regime is the delay of the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
Tanzania ratified the CTBT in 2004 and in this regard we call for the urgent entry into force of the Treaty, as such would contribute to the achievement of a nuclear free world.
Madam President,
We would also like to underscore the importance of effective and balanced implementation among member states.
In order to achieve the purpose of the Treaty, we wish to emphasize the vital role played by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy and creation of a conducive environment for nuclear cooperation.
In this regard, we call upon the IAEA to ensure that Nuclear Technology for peaceful purposes and any other assistance is availed to all Member States in good faith, without any discrimination, and calls for countries with Nuclear Arsenals to comply with the Treaty provisions without any pre-conditions.
My delegation commends the essential contribution of some Non – Nuclear Weapon States to the establishment of Nuclear Free Zones.
These initiatives are certainly a valuable contribution to international peace and security. Tanzania is a State party to the African Nuclear Weapon Free Zones Treaty (Pelindaba Treaty), which derived from these initiatives.
The implementation of this treaty constitutes an important step towards the goal of a nuclear free world. My country extends support to the call towards the establishment of Nuclear Weapon Free Zone in the Middle East. Tanzania believes that, this effort will not only contribute to the peace and stability in the Middle East but also to the wider international community.
In this regard, we are in favour of the call for the Conference on the establishment of a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone in the Middle East. In the same vein, we call upon the nuclear weapon States to ratify, without any reservations, the relevant instruments associated with the said Zones, including on negative security assurances.
Madam President,
Once again, we wish to reiterate that the disarmament of nuclear weapons is possible because neither their possession nor their existence is in our collective best interest. In our view, nuclear disarmament should have happened a long time ago so that, by now, we should have been talking about enabling disadvantaged populations to “live in larger freedom” as per the Charter of the United Nations. Let us speak with one voice, and commit ourselves to having a common political will that could be the essential driving force for Nuclear Disarmament, which would ensure the Nuclear Free World that all humanity deserves.
The United Republic of Tanzania believes strongly and shall continue to be in the pursuit of this positive path towards the achievement of a NUCLEAR FREE WORLD.
I THANK YOU.
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