Philippines Reaffirms Commitment to Rules-Based Disarmament Processes at UN First Committee

Ambassador Maria Teresa T. Almojuela, Philippine Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva leading the Philippines throughout the action phase of the First Committee Sessions in UNGA76. (Photo from NYPM)

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 23 November 2021 – The Philippines reaffirmed its disarmament commitments and support for an inclusive and rules-based global governance regime at the action phase of the First Committee Sessions of the 76th United Nations General Assembly that was held from 27 October to 4 November in New York.

“The multilateral disarmament, non-proliferation, and arms control regime is an important component of the rules-based international order that has underpinned global peace, security, and stability since the founding of the United Nations,” Ambassador Maria Teresa T. Almojuela, Philippine Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva said.

The action phase of the First Committee met to agree on various resolutions put forward by United Nations Member States to promote peace and security. Sixty resolutions were adopted this year. Of these resolutions, the Philippines co-sponsored 19, including those calling for a world free of nuclear weapons and measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction, and promoting global norms against deadly weapons like cluster munitions, disarmament’s link to development and the environment, multilateralism in disarmament, and the role of the youth.

On the country’s commitment to a world without weapons of mass destruction, Ambassador Almojuela expressed grave concern on recent “modernization and refinement of nuclear weapon capabilities,” and called for nuclear risk reduction as a pathway towards complete nuclear disarmament.

Echoing President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s remarks at the General Assembly’s high-level segment last year, “No aspiration nor ambition can justify the use of weapons that destroy indiscriminately and completely,” the Philippines raised the need to prevent the proliferation of other weapons of mass destruction, including biological and chemical weapons. The Philippines also called for further efforts to link disarmament work to efforts towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

On humanitarian disarmament advocacies, Ambassador Almojuela condemned any use of improvised explosive devices, landmines and cluster munitions by any actor under any circumstances. She also underlined that the centrality of the victims and the need to strengthen national capacities to respond to the challenges posed by these weapons must be the primary consideration of efforts to implement the treaties on conventional weapons disarmament.

On ‘future-proofing’ the arms control regime, Ambassador Almojuela called for legally-binding instruments to prevent the weaponization of outer space, and supported resolutions to promote the principles of transparency and the non-placement of weapons in outer space. In the same vein, the Philippines also joined calls for a legally binding instrument to prevent the weaponization of autonomous technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Ambassador Hilale of Morocco, Chair of the First Committee, said in its closing remarks, “The First Committee has shown us that over and above our differences, we face the same threats; our disagreements are the point of departure.” He also added that despite of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, member states maintained its verve and pertinence in diagnosing situations relating to disarmament and international security, while showing tolerance and political will.

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. END

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