AFRICAN GROUP STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR SAMBA SANE AT THE FIRST COMMITTEE GENERAL DEBATE ON DISARMAMENT AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AGENDA ITEMS

  Delivered by H.E. Samba Sane

Permanent Representative of Guinea-Bissau to the United Nations and Chair of the African Group for the month of October

8th October 2025

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the African Group. At the outset, I congratulate you and the members of the Bureau on your election. You can count on the Group’s full support and cooperation throughout this session.

2. The African Group aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Republic of Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

3. This debate comes at a time of growing global insecurity, when the disarmament and non-proliferation architecture faces unprecedented strain. The African Group reaffirms that multilateral diplomacy remains the cornerstone for addressing disarmament, nonproliferation and international security challenges, in line with the UN Charter and the outcomes of the First Special Session on Disarmament.

Mr. Chairman,

4. The total elimination of nuclear weapons remains the only absolute guarantee against their use or threat of use. The continued existence and modernization of nuclear arsenals pose an existential threat to humanity. The African Group therefore calls for concrete, transparent and verifiable measures towards complete nuclear disarmament within an agreed timeframe.

6. The Group expresses deep disappointment at the consecutive failures of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conferences, which undermine confidence in the Treaty. We urge all States Parties to renew commitment to their disarmament obligations, including implementation of the 1995 Middle East resolution and prior agreed outcomes.

7. The African Group expresses deep concern on a threat and unfortunate statement by an Israeli Minister last October for suggesting detonation of nuclear weapons on Gaza strip. These are shocking statements that require solemn condemnation and further reinforce the urgent necessity of a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the region, as an indispensable asset for regional and international peace and security and international law.

8. The African Group reiterates the importance of Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones as a practical step towards global disarmament. In this context, we reaffirm the Treaty of Pelindaba, which establishes Africa as a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, prohibiting the testing, stationing or acquisition of nuclear explosive devices on the continent.

9. The Group also welcomes the five sessions of the United Nations Conference on establishing a Middle East Zone free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction and urges all relevant States to engage constructively in this open and inclusive process.

Mr. Chairman,

10. The African Group reaffirms the inalienable right of States to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and commends the continued technical cooperation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in promoting science and technology for sustainable development.

11. The Group attaches high importance to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which strengthens the global norm against nuclear weapons. We welcome the outcome of the Third Meeting of States Parties held in March 2025 and look forward to the first Review Conference under the Chairmanship of South Africa. We urge all States, particularly Nuclear-Weapon States and those under nuclear umbrellas, to sign and ratify the Treaty without delay.

12. The Group underscores the urgency of universal adherence to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and calls upon all Annex 2 States to ratify it, so it may enter into force and reinforce the global norm against nuclear testing.

Mr. Chairman,

13. The African Group attaches great importance to the work of the United Nations Disarmament Commission and the Conference on Disarmament. We call for renewed commitment to their mandates and urge the CD to adopt a balanced and comprehensive programme of work without further delay.

14. The Group remains gravely concerned over the illicit trade and circulation of small arms and light weapons, which continue to fuel conflicts in Africa. We reaffirm our commitment to the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons and welcome the adoption of the outcome of the Fourth Review Conference held in June 2025. We further commend the role of the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) in providing technical assistance and capacity-building, despite limited resources. The Group appeals for greater support to enable UNREC to effectively fulfil its mandate.

Mr. Chairman,

15. The African Group underscores the importance of preventing an arms race in outer space through a legally binding instrument that upholds the principles of peaceful use and non-appropriation of outer space. We welcome progress made by the new Open-Ended Working Group on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space and call for continued inclusive dialogue.

16. The Group also attaches importance to discussions on the security of information and communication technologies and on emerging issues such as artificial intelligence and lethal autonomous weapons. We emphasize that international law applies fully in these domains and that human control and accountability must remain central to all military applications of new technologies.

Mr. Chairman,

17. The African Group reiterates that political will, trust and transparency are indispensable to progress in disarmament. We urge all States to work collectively to advance the cause of international peace and security.

18. The African Group will table three draft resolutions at this session, namely:

i. The African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Pelindaba);

ii. The Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa; and

iii. The Prohibition of the Dumping of Radioactive Wastes.

18. We look forward to the support of all delegations for their adoption by consensus.

I thank you all.