Thank you Chair,

Allow me to congratulate you on your election and assure you of my delegation’s full support. In addition to the statements by the European Union and the NPDI, I would like to make the following remarks in my national capacity.

Chair, Excellencies, and distinguished delegates,

The pressure on the international security architecture is greater than at any time in the past four decades. Arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation agreements that have been essential for maintaining peace and stability are under immense stress. The global nuclear weapons stockpile is growing again. And to cap it all off, a nuclear-weapon state is waging war against a non-nuclear weapon state in Europe, routinely threatening with the use of nuclear weapons, and attacking and occupying nuclear power plants.

There are evident parallels between the challenges of our time and the arduous circumstances in which the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was negotiated in the 1960s. The cataclysmic risks of an escalating arms race and the prospect of a world with as many as 15, 20 or even 25 nations possessing nuclear weapons inspired our predecessors to craft this landmark agreement. From preventing the spread of nuclear weapons to promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear technology, the NPT has delivered on a daily basis since. And there rests a heavy responsibility on our shoulders to carry this work forward; especially in times of crisis. Let the keen efforts of those who negotiated the NPT continue to inspire us. 

Chair,

With the 11th Review Conference less than 12 months away, The Netherlands is committed to discussing balanced and realistic measures on all three pillars of the NPT.

It is imperative to progressively reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons altogether in accordance with Article VI. Therefore, we call on the nuclear-weapon states to re-commit to reducing nuclear stockpiles. It is of particular importance that Russia and the US negotiate a follow-up to New START. And we are deeply concerned about China’s rapidly increasing nuclear arsenal, which is inconsistent with its disarmament commitments. Therefore, we call on China to reverse this expansion and to engage in bilateral and trilateral arms control talks instead.

In light of heightening tensions, nuclear-weapon states should urgently implement risk reduction measures to prevent misperceptions and to lower the likelihood of escalation. Furthermore, we have to reestablish an atmosphere of confidence and trust in order to advance work on arms control, non-proliferation, and disarmament. Therefore, progress is needed on transparency and accountability during this Review Cycle. Finally, to be able to sustain a future nuclear-weapon free world, we have to continue the important technical work on disarmament verification. 

Chair,

A world free of nuclear weapons also requires that we ensure that no additional states join the so-called “nuclear club”. Therefore, we continue to call on Iran to cooperate fully with the IAEA to provide the necessary assurances that its nuclear programme is solely peaceful, as well as to resolve and provide clarity on all outstanding issues. Moreover, we call on states that have not yet done so to conclude a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) and an Additional Protocol (AP) with the Agency. 

Finally, nuclear science and technology play an important role in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals, combatting climate change and providing energy security. Therefore, we encourage the IAEA and all States to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, taking into account the needs of developing states in particular.

Chair,

In light of the adverse global security environment we have a collective responsibility to search for common ground. My delegation stands ready to do the necessary work the coming two weeks to put us on the right track towards a fruitful Review Conference in 2026.

Thank you Chair.