Philippines Calls for Constructive Steps on Disarmament Issues
Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo highlights the priorities of the Philippines in the UN disarmament and nonproliferation agenda in his statement before the First Committee on 5 October 2021 at the UN General Assembly.(Photo from NYPM)
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 12 October 2021 — Addressing the First Committee of the United Nations during its General Debate on 05 October 2021, Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, stressed that constructive steps are needed to address outstanding issues in disarmament.
On nuclear disarmament, he expressed deep concern that while most countries are battling COVID-19, nuclear weapon states are modernizing, developing and reinforcing nuclear arsenals.
Reaffirming the Philippines’ commitment to disarmament and nonproliferation, Ambassador Manalo stressed in his statement that “nothing justifies the use of weapons of mass destruction.” He also said that for the Philippines, the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) remains the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.
“The Philippines continues to support the 13 Practical Steps and the 64-point Action Plan agreed upon in the 2010 NPT Review Conference and looks forward to the 10th NPT Review Conference,” Ambassador Manalo added, further noting that the Philippines is the 53rd country to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Ambassador Manalo also spoke about Philippine leadership in the regulation of conventional weapons. This year, the Philippines, represented by Deputy Permanent Representative Ariel R. Peñaranda, served as the Vice Chair of the 7th Biennial Meeting of States, contributing to progress in the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.
On outer space, Ambassador Manalo called for the further development of the legal framework, ensuring that the use of outer space is only for peaceful purposes.
Recognizing the threat of transnational cybercrime on peace and security, Ambassador Manalo expressed the Philippines’ support for international efforts to combat these crimes.
Addressing recent developments in the Asia Pacific, Ambassador Manalo said the Philippines views them “within the context of the primacy of commitments in the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone and the NPT.”
Earlier, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, Under‑Secretary‑General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, in her remarks during the opening session said, “We have an urgent choice to make between breakdown and breakthrough. Disarmament is at the heart of the pathway towards a breakthrough.”
Under‑Secretary‑General Nakamitsu noted that “a continued rise in global military spending has fed into cycles of insecurity and mistrust,” citing that “in 2020, total global military expenditure rose to almost two trillion USD despite the onset of a global pandemic.”
The First Committee is mandated to discuss disarmament, global challenges and threats to peace that affect the international community and seeks out solutions to the challenges in the international security regime. This session, the First Committee is chaired by Ambassador Omar Hilale of Morocco. END
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