Chair,

In addition to the statement delivered by the European Union, I would like to make the following remarks in my national capacity. 

Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates,

Five months ago, the States Parties to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) did not succeed in reaching consensus on a substantive outcome document. And although the NPT remains the foundation of our nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament architecture, we acknowledge that it does not sustain itself. It requires continued, good-faith engagements of the international community. 

With that in mind, I would like to make the following points. 

Chair,

The Russian Federation, a nuclear-weapon State, is waging a war against Ukraine, a non‑nuclear‑weapon State, and has repeatedly issued irresponsible nuclear threats. At the same time, China continues to rapidly and opaquely expand its nuclear arsenal. These developments challenge not only regional security, but undermine the credibility of our global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime.

To ease international tension and reduce risks, we urgently call on the P-5 to engage in substantive talks along the lines of paragraphs 4 & 5 of the last version of the draft outcome document of the 11th NPT Review Conference. Progress should be made on risk-reduction, transparency and accountability, so that work on arms control and disarmament can advance again. 

Chair,

Despite the challenges, the NPT delivers every day and the work of the IAEA remains indispensable. Its safeguards and verification activities underpin the credibility and effectiveness of the Treaty.

We urge Iran to resolve its non-compliance with its NPT safeguards obligations. Full cooperation with and access by the IAEA have to be restored unconditionally and immediately. It is of utmost concern that the Agency is not in a position to draw the conclusion that Iran’s nuclear program is fully peaceful. 

Chair,

The Netherlands remains committed to the objective of a world without nuclear weapons, in line with Article VI of the NPT, and we seek to contribute to creating the necessary security environment to achieve this goal. 

We call on States that have not yet done so, particularly those listed in Annex 2, to ratify the CTBT and maintain the moratorium on nuclear testing.  

Chair,

The choice before us is clear: allow division to further erode our nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament architecture, or reinvest in cooperation and dialogue to strengthen it. 

The Netherlands chooses for the latter and we stand ready to work with all delegations who make the same choice.

Thank you Chair.