Warning Quantitative Arms Race Appears Imminent, High Representative Tells Disarmament Commission Session’s Opening Pursuing Nuclear Weapons Won’t Guarantee State Security
The belief that the pursuit of nuclear weapons can guarantee the security of any State is a dangerous delusion, the United Nations disarmament chief told the Disarmament Commission at the opening of its 2024 annual session, as the body expanded its deliberation into emerging security threats, including the use of artificial intelligence in the military domain.
“The risk of a nuclear weapon being used is higher now than any time since the height of the cold war and the architecture designed to prevent its use is ever more precarious,” warned High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu, noting that the Commission — a specialized General Assembly subsidiary body — is once again resuming its work in a difficult geopolitical environment.
Sounding the alarm over “the qualitative arms race currently under way and the quantitative race that appears imminent”, she said that such pursuits only undermine global security and put humanity one step closer to the brink of annihilation. First and foremost, there must be demonstrable progress in implementing the existing commitments on disarmament. The nuclear-weapon States have a responsibility to lead, she emphasized.
Turning to emerging technologies, she said that such advancements often outpace international governance and regulation. The Commission therefore could consider any gaps in current multilateral discussions and how common understandings could help address such issues, including military artificial intelligence and armed uncrewed aerial vehicles.
She concluded her remarks by stressing: “Stronger international cooperation in the field of disarmament is the only answer to the many peace and security threats we now face.”
For his part, newly elected Commission Chair Muhammad Usman Iqbal Jadoon (Pakistan) recalled that the forum was established by the first special session of the General Assembly on disarmament. It plays a crucial function as a deliberative body to consider and make recommendations on various problems in the field of disarmament and follow up on the relevant decisions and recommendations of the special session.
“The Disarmament Commission has the solemn responsibility to deliberate on topical issues related to disarmament and recommend measures,” he said. “The present state of world affairs marked by increasing polarization and mistrust requires greater reliance on multilateralism and calls for investing more effort in dialogue.”
When the floor opened for a general exchange of views, several delegations took the floor. .....
https://press.un.org/en/2024/dc3872.doc.htm
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