WNAM REPORT: Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono pressed for the rapid establishment of new nuclear-weapon-free zones during the Conference on Disarmament High-Level Segment in Geneva on Monday (February 24).
In a statement on Tuesday, Sugiono stressed the need to revitalize the global disarmament architecture by swiftly creating new nuclear-weapon-free zones.
“Strengthening compliance with Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones and accelerating the establishment of new zones. Indonesia reiterates the importance of accelerating the signing of the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Protocol by the P5 countries,” he remarked.
The P5 countries—the US, Russia, China, France, and the UK—have not yet signed the SEANWFZ protocol due to concerns over their freedom of military operations in the region being limited.
According to Minister Sugiono, the current global security landscape is more fragile than ever, marked by intensifying strategic rivalries, eroding disarmament commitments, increasing nuclear arsenals, re-reliance on deterrence strategies, as well as the highest risk of conflict and nuclear accidents in decades.
“However, this path is not something that cannot be changed. We have the power and responsibility to change it. I urge the international community to restore stability through renewed commitment and greater accountability, by reviewing security doctrine and practices,” he stressed.
Sugiono noted that the collapse of the main framework for arms control, coupled with stalled nuclear dialogue, would only further elevate the risk of conflict.
“Nuclear weapons do not guarantee security, but instead, become a threat,” Sugiono remarked.
FM Sugiono also called for the Conference on Disarmament to reaffirm its commitment to the three pillars of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): non-proliferation, disarmament, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
“We also call on the nuclear umbrella states to critically review their dependence on nuclear weapons and align their policies with the objectives of the NPT,” he stated.
The Conference on Disarmament is the only multilateral forum mandated by the UN General Assembly to negotiate key agreements related to disarmament.
The Conference on Disarmament comprises 65 member countries, including five permanent members of the UN Security Council and 60 nations with significant military capabilities, including Indonesia.
