Thank you, Mr. Chair,

Allow me to congratulate you on your election as Chair of the Third Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 NPT Review Conference. The Philippines pledges its full support to your leadership and looks forward to a productive session under your guidance.

We align ourselves with the statement delivered by Malaysia on behalf of ASEAN, and with the statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the NAM.

Mr. Chair,

The Philippines’ engagement with the NPT is grounded in our Constitution and our commitment to multilateralism. As Asia’s first republic, we carry with us a legacy of principled foreign policy—one rooted in the renunciation of war and a deep belief in the rule of international law.

The Philippines has consistently been a reliable partner in advancing the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, particularly in promoting international peace and security.

At a time when multilateralism must hold its center with the UN Charter as its anchor, the Philippines reaffirms its unwavering commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and collective action as the most effective means of addressing global security threats. We have always been here—actively engaged and ready to contribute—and we will always be here, standing firmly for the principles that have long underpinned international peace and security.

The Philippines underscores the urgency of advancing concrete measures to strengthen the nuclear disarmament machinery. As we approach the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we are reminded of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons.

We reaffirm that the NPT remains the cornerstone of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation architecture. Its three pillars must be implemented in a full, balanced, and non-discriminatory manner

We are alarmed by recent developments that undermine the disarmament architecture, including threats of the use of nuclear weapons, withdrawals from long-standing arms control agreements, and destabilizing ballistic missile tests. These actions erode trust and run counter to the spirit and letter of the NPT.

As we approach the 2026 Review Conference, we remain mindful of the failures of the last two review cycles to achieve consensus. These failures reflect not only procedural challenges but also a deeper erosion of trust in the disarmament architecture. Precisely because we live in a time of geopolitical instability, we must rally behind the NPT and the “grand bargain” it represents. The Treaty must be preserved, strengthened, and meaningfully implemented. 

Mr. Chair,

The humanitarian and existential risks posed by nuclear weapons are undeniable. Nuclear deterrence is an obsolete security concept.

We call for a time-bound, phased, and verifiable program for the total elimination of nuclear weapons, and the provision of legally binding security assurances to Non-Nuclear-Weapon States. These assurances must be universal, unconditional, and irrevocable.

Risk reduction should be pursued as a confidence-building measure—but never as a substitute for disarmament.

Transparency—along with irreversibility and verifiability—remains a cardinal principle of nuclear disarmament. Nuclear-Weapon States bear a special responsibility to report on their arsenals, doctrines, and disarmament efforts in a timely, standardized, and substantive manner.

Mr. Chair,

The peaceful uses of nuclear energy represent one of the most transformative applications of science for development. We reaffirm Article IV as an inalienable right and emphasize that access to nuclear technology must remain free of undue restrictions.

We are likewise committed to upholding the highest standards of nuclear safety, security, and safeguards. As we scale up our peaceful nuclear energy program, we reiterate the importance of gender inclusion—empowering women and girls in science and technology, especially in the nuclear field, is not just right, but necessary for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

 Mr. Chair,

We are approaching the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 50th anniversary of the first NPT Review Conference. Let us mark these milestones not merely with reflection, but with renewed resolve. The Philippines urges all States Parties to rise above narrow interests and reaffirm our shared responsibility to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

We stand ready to work with all delegations toward a meaningful, forward-looking outcome document at the 2026 Review Conference—one that revitalizes our commitments under the NPT and reinvigorates the disarmament architecture for the 21st century.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.