High-level segment Conference on Disarmament

President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

I am honored to address the Conference on Disarmament at this year's high-level segment. [Sweden fully supports the statement to be delivered on behalf of the European Union. I would like to offer the following national remarks.]

The historic significance of the Conference on Disarmament is undeniable. Many of the milestones in international disarmament and the non-proliferation sphere have been agreed upon right here, by our predecessors.

However, for almost three decades, the CD has not seen any major breakthroughs or even serious negotiations. Nor has it been able to reach consensus on updating the Rules of Procedure, not even to make them gender-neutral and aligned with the 21st century.

More importantly, the consensus rule is consistently abused and viewed as an absolute veto even on procedural issues, including related to observer states. These shortcomings are not inevitable or due to lack of effort, but rather a lack of political will.

The adoption by vote of the UN General Assembly First Committee resolution on the report of the Conference on Disarmament is a serious signal of growing frustration with the Conference’s continued paralysis and lack of inclusivity.

This development underscores the urgency of restoring the CD’s credibility and effectiveness. It is up to us to break this cycle and allow the Conference to advance substantively. The credibility of the disarmament architecture and the Conference is at stake. And in the context of UN80, we cannot continue to waste scarce resources on futile procedural discussions.

President,

2026 is a crucial year for the global nuclear order. The up-coming 11th Review conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons will be key to uphold the authority and centrality of the treaty. The NPT remains the cornerstone of global disarmament and non-proliferation efforts. Sweden will continue to promote the full implementation of all obligations.

But the ADN architecture is under severe pressure. Mistrust among states has increased and rhetoric has hardened. If we are to reach the ultimate goal of a world free from nuclear weapons, efforts to change the dynamic is necessary.

There is broad support among States Parties for confidence building measures such as transparency and reporting on nuclear weapons. The Review Conference should deliver on this demand.  Mutual confidence and positive momentum are to be gained.

In this spirit Sweden works to advance progress in transregional formats such as the Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament and the Initiative to Reduce the Risk for Nuclear Conflict.

Through the Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament, Sweden, continues to emphasize the necessity of further progress in disarmament. The Initiative will continue its efforts and re-submit its ideas to be explored in the lead up to the NPT Review Conference.

Moreover, reducing the risk of nuclear conflict is urgent. Transparency, accountability, and other confidence-building measures can decrease tensions, increase trust, and dispel misconceptions, thus improving conditions for disarmament and complementing disarmament efforts.

Sweden is part of a cross-regional effort aiming to bring this topic to the forefront at the upcoming NPT Review Conference. While risk reduction is in no way a substitute for disarmament, we must explore every avenue possible in reducing the risk of nuclear weapons use.

President,

Exactly four years ago, Russia launched its illegal, unjustified, and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Sweden condemns in the strongest terms Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine and reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

Russia’s on-going aggression is a flagrant violation of International Law, including the UN Charter, and its threats to use nuclear weapons are irresponsible and unacceptable. Targeting of civilians and civilian objects, including on infrastructure, hospitals, medical facilities and the energy system, is in complete disregard of International Humanitarian Law. We urge Russia to immediately stop its aggression and withdraw its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and engage in meaningful negotiations towards peace.

President,

I would also like to bring to your attention that the Swedish Foreign Minister – together with colleagues from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Netherlands – announced in a joint statement in connection with the Munich Security Conference that the Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny had been poisoned with epibatidine, a lethal neurotoxin found in South American frogs, which can also be produced synthetically in laboratories. We reached this conclusion based on analyses of samples from Alexei Navalny by national laboratories that have conclusively confirmed the presence of epibatidine. Only Russia had the means, motive and opportunity to administer this poison to him. Together with our partners we will make use of all policy levers at our disposal to hold Russia to account and take further steps at the OPCW and other relevant bodies. We have informed the OPCW and will raise this matter under the relevant agenda item of the 111th session of the Executive Council (10-13 mars).

President,

International peace and security are the responsibility of all states. Yet, Nuclear Weapons States bear a special responsibility for nuclear arms control and disarmament.

We regret the absence of a successor agreement to the New START, the last strategic arms control treaty. Russia carries a great responsibility for undermining the treaty by suspending its obligations in 2023 as the central parts – verification, notification, inspection – played a crucial role for confidence building, risk reduction and strategic stability. At the same time, we encourage all efforts to launch negotiations on a new framework. In this regard, we also encourage China to engage in discussions on the future of strategic arms control.

The entry-into-force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty remains a task for the international community to deliver on. As current co-chairs of the article XIV-process, Sweden and the Philippines will push for its early entry into force. The strong norm against testing established by the Treaty, and the International Monitoring System, are crucial assets that must be upheld.

Sweden urges all remaining annex 2 states to ratify the CTBT, as well as other states that has not yet done so, and condemns Russia's unprecedented decision to revoke its ratification of the CTBT.

We also stress the need for the start and conclusion of negotiations of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty. Pending an FMCT in force, we call on all concerned States, including China, to declare and uphold an immediate moratorium on the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other explosive device.

President,

Our work on arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation does not exist in a vacuum. Therefore, we must continue to engage the younger generation, stand up for gender equality, as well as the right of civil society to participate in our joint efforts without undue restrictions and make their voices heard.

In conclusion, in the deteriorating security environment we find ourselves today, we must be ambitious but realistic. It’s high time for the CD Member States to shoulder their responsibility, show political will, and overcome the divide that has marked the work of this Conference for far too long.

Thank you.