ASEAN backs int’l efforts in non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

New York (VNA) – ASEAN supports international efforts in non-proliferation and disarmament of weapons of mass destruction and strictly adheres to related UN Security Council (UNSC)’s resolutions to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons, Vietnamese Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy said on October 9.

He made the statement on the behalf of ASEAN at an annual debate of the UN General Assembly’s Disarmament and International Security Committee (First Committee) which also saw the presence of UN General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir and UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu.

Quy, who is also Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, voiced ASEAN’s concerns over the existence of nuclear weapons and the consequences of using them, saying ASEAN backs the complete elimination of nuclear weapons and the full implementation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

ASEAN called on all nations to join and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) to enable the deals to enter into force soon, he continued.

The Vietnamese ambassador also emphasised the importance of continued dialogues and negotiations to resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issues, adding ASEAN stands ready to assist related parties in advancing the process.

He reiterated ASEAN’s supports for efforts to manage and control conventional and new weapons and the peaceful use of the outer space and that ASEAN is committed to maintain a nuclear-weapon-free Southeast Asia.

The diplomat highlighted cooperation between ASEAN and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy as well as works of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC) to address post-war bomb and mine aftermaths./,