Mr. Chair,

1. At the outset, I would like to congratulate you and members of the Bureau on your election to lead the First Committee. We are confident in your leadership and reaffirm our delegation’s full support and cooperation.
2. My delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered by the distinguished representatives of Uganda and Malaysia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and ASEAN, respectively.

 

Mr. Chair,

3. The current international security landscape continues to be complex and volatile, marked by ongoing tensions and conflicts in many parts of the world. We share the concern over the rising global military expenditure, which heightens tensions rather than promotes peace and security. It is therefore imperative to reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism, uphold the UN Charter, and fulfill our obligations under multilateral disarmament treaties to prevent future catastrophes.
4. The Lao PDR reiterates its unwavering support for global efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. We regard the NPT as the cornerstone of nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. We extend our congratulations to Ambassador Do Hung Viet of Viet Nam on his designation as President of the 2026 NPT Review Conference and look forward to working closely with him and his team.
5. The Lao PDR remains firmly committed to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and its Amendment, and the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty. We emphasize the complementary nature of the TPNW with other key instruments, including the NPT, the CTBT, and nuclear-weapon-free zone treaties.
6. We underscore the importance of the full and effective implementation of all instruments related to weapons of mass destruction, including Security Council Resolution 1540. The Lao PDR remains fully committed to the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, and believes all nations share a collective responsibility to uphold these norms.

 

Mr. Chair,

7. While emerging technologies offer significant benefits, they also present new risks to international peace and security, particularly in cyberspace and outer space. We support the establishment of comprehensive frameworks to ensure these domains are used exclusively for peaceful purposes.
8. The Open-Ended Working Group on the security of and in the use of ICTs (2021–2025) has played a vital role in promoting international cooperation and capacity-building in cyber security. We welcome the consensus adoption of its Final Report and the establishment of a Global Mechanism on ICT Security.  The Lao PDR stands ready to contribute to this important process.
9. On small arms and light weapons, we welcome progress made under the Global Framework for Through-Life Conventional Ammunition Management, the Fourth Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action, and the International Tracing Instrument.

 

Mr. Chair,

10. For over five decades, the Lao PDR has endured the devastating impact of cluster munitions. Unexploded ordnance (UXO) continues to impede development and endanger lives. The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) has brought renewed hope. Our national strategy, Safe Path Forward III (2021–2030), aligns with the CCM and the Lausanne Action Plan, integrating UXO action into our broader development agenda, including through SDG 18: Lives Safe from UXO. Partnerships with States Parties, international organizations, and civil society have been instrumental in clearing contaminated land, delivering risk education, supporting survivors, and facilitating the return of land for agriculture and infrastructure development. For the Lao PDR, the CCM is more than a disarmament treaty it is a path to peace, development, and dignity. We are honored to assume the Presidency and the host of the Third Review Conference of States Parties to the CCM in Vientiane in 2026. This is both a historic responsibility and an opportunity to reaffirm global unity in the fight against cluster munitions.

11. In conclusion, the Lao PDR believes that with strong political will and renewed commitment, we can advance the global disarmament and non-proliferation agenda. We stand ready to engage constructively in the work of the First Committee in pursuit of our shared vision for a peaceful and secure world. Thank you!