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Statement by Ms. Vilayluck SENEDUANGDETH, Minister Counsellor, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to the UN at the General Debate of the First Committee on All Disarmament and International Security. During

Wednesday, 06 October 2021

Mr. Chairman,

  1. My delegation joins others in congratulating you and the members of the Bureau on your election and please be assured of our full support and cooperation in the work of the Committee. My delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered by the distinguished representatives of Thailand and Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and ASEAN, respectively.
  2. As the global environment has undergone unexpected and complex security challenges, combined with the on-going impact caused by Covid19 pandemic, this has proven that multilateral and international cooperation is more crucial than ever. Therefore, the work of the First Committee is of great relevance as it contributes to the promotion of global peace and security, while creating an environment conducive for sustainable development.  
  3. Like others, my delegation remains concerned with the increasing global military expenditure and armed conflicts, which would further hamper the efforts to leverage support needed for development cooperation and humanitarian assistance in order to promote peaceful environment for development, poverty eradication and united global response to the global health and climate crises.
  4. To ensure global peace and security, the Lao PDR reiterates its strong support to international efforts towards making our world free from nuclear weapons. Therefore, my delegation welcomes the High-level Meeting of the General Assembly to Commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons held on 28 September.
  5. As the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) remains the cornerstone of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, we strongly believe that it is necessary to redouble our efforts to implement the three pillars of the NPT. To this end, my delegation is looking forward to the successful convening the 10th NPT Review Conference in January 2022.
  6. On Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone, as a member of the Association of the Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) and a party to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone treaty (SEANWFZ Treaty), my delegation joins other ASEAN Member States in supporting the establishment of the regional Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zones which is an essential element of global nuclear disarmament and the promotion of regional peace and stability.

Mr. Chairman,

  1. The Lao PDR welcomes the entry into force of a historic agreement on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) on 22 January 2021. It is a significant milestone to further strengthen the global norms against nuclear weapons. The Lao PDR is also looking forward to continuing its constructive engagement in the forthcoming the 1st Meeting of State Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in March 2022.
  2. This year marks the 25th anniversary since the opening for signature of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Yet, the treaty remains ineffective, therefore Lao PDR joins other countries in urging those who have not done so, to sign and ratify the CTBT.
  3. On Cyberspace, the Lao PDR welcomes the adoption of the final report of the Open-ended working group on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security (OEWG). We believe that collective effort and commitment of the international community is needed in order to promote the use of ICTs for socio-economic development and for maintaining peace and stability in cyberspace. In this regard, we support the leading role of the United Nations.
  4. Furthermore, The Lao PDR supports the full and effective implementation of other relevant instruments, including Security Council Resolution 1540. On this regard, we have been working in a coordinated manner with all competent national authorities on the matter to update its National Implementation Matrix, which were presented earlier in 2020. My delegation also welcomes the adoption of the final report of the seventh Biennial Meeting of States (BMS7) on the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.

Mr. Chairman,

  1. The Lao PDR reiterates our strong support to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), and wishes to stress the specific needs in addressing serious impact from the Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) left over from the Indochina War. Although the war has ended over 4 decades ago, UXOs have continued to pose great dangers to people’s lives especially children and hinder national socio-economic development. On this note, the Lao PDR has adopted our specific national SDG18 entitled ‘‘Lives Safe from Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)” and this goal remains a top priority stipulated in the current 9th National Social and Economic Development Plan 2021-2025. We count on the continued and enhanced support and cooperation from the international community to help the Lao PDR implement this specific national SDG18 along with other SDGs.
  2. Let me conclude by reiterating the Lao PDR’s firm commitment to working closely with all member states in our concerted efforts to realize the ultimate goal of disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control through dialogues and negotiations. The Lao PDR reaffirms its full supports for the Secretary-General’s Agenda for Disarmament and the international efforts to strengthen the international security.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.