Statement by His Excellency Mohan Pieris, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations
at the 78th UN General Assembly
First Committee - General Debate
Mr. Chair Let me begin by congratulating you and the Bureau on your election to this important Committee. We assure you of our fullest support in guiding the deliberations to a fruitful outcome.
Sri Lanka aligns itself with the statement delivered by the NAM and wish to make these observations our national capacity.
Mr. Chair
We meet at a time when the international security architecture is fraught with danger and strained at the seams. Superpower rivalries have intensified and have spiraled into creating chaos in almost all areas of human activity whether on land, air, sea, cyber space or outer space. The frequency and intensity of nuclear rhetoric has assumed alarming proportions, as well as moves to weaponize all domains, including cyber space and outer space. The many of us who have over the years espoused multilateral solutions to disarmament and non-proliferation in the endeavor to create a peaceful world have been forced to endure the economic and other negative consequences brought about by direct conflict and resultant recriminatory measures which have affected the highest of human values globally, which have hitherto being undertaken by those member States on whom lies the greatest responsibility in these matters. Our expectations have been shattered. It is therefore not difficult to understand that it was in this deteriorating international security environment, two NPT Review Conferences have taken place without an outcome document.
Mr Chairman this only reflects the challenges and divisions among member states in addressing critical issues related to nuclear nonproliferation, and Disarmament. We must however disparities. We must look at the review conferences as opportunities to assess progress, identify areas of concern, and develop strategies to strengthen the treaty implementation. We must make every effort to bridge the gaps between the different perspectives and build trust among member states. My dedication is of the considerate view that we look up on the inability to produce an outcome, add previous conferences, should serve as a catalyst for renewed commitment, and more concerted efforts to achieve the objectives of this conference.
It is in this context that my delegation wishes to repeatedly reiterate the importance of the very principles of multilateral disarmament that have brought a beacon of hope for humanity to save us from global annihilation. Over the years, the Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) have formed the bulwark of the international treaty system seeking to rid the world of nuclear weapons.
I am pleased to say that Sri Lanka, in July, ratified the CTBT and during the recently concluded High-level week, acceded to the TPNW. The Geological Survey & Mines Bureau is the national technical focal point of Sri Lanka for the purposes of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). As a State Party that places importance in the Treaty’s verification regime, Sri Lanka is pleased to host the next on-site inspection (OSI) Integrated Field Exercise (IFE), in 2025, which will bring together more than 180 technical experts and other participants from around the world. Sri Lanka will be the first South Asian country to host such a large-scale exercise while being the 2nd country in Asia to do so. Despite these achievements of the CTBT and the progressive development of its verification regime, we remain deeply concerned of the prolonged delay in its entry into force. Mr Chairman delays in ratification can be attributed to multiple reasons. It must be appreciated that these delays can hinder progress in achieving nuclear disarmament, nonproliferation effects, and the promotion of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Member states must recognize the significance of the nuclear treaties and the role it plays in enhancing, global security, we must intensify diplomatic efforts and encourage ratification. It is equally important that we engage with states that have not yet ratified, in an endeavor to understand their reservations and help in finding common ground and address any outstanding issues.
In keeping with its longstanding commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, Sri Lanka was pleased to accede to the TPNW and we urge all states to commit itself to a nuclear weapons free world. The convening of the first meeting of States Parties on 21-23 June 2022, which adopted a declaration and an action plan was a welcome measure. Sri Lanka looks forward to participating at the meeting of states parties in November this year.
Mr. Chair Let turn briefly to the matter of Cyber Space. The cyber domain today has become a vital component in our endeavor to create a safer and secure world as well as for mutual prosperity given the increasing relevance of e-commerce and day-to-day functions in the digital sphere. The loose arrangements in the regulatory oversight of cyberspace has, indeed caused concern as they potentially compromise, global security. The vulnerabilities in cyberspace he’s being exploited by militia sectors for multiple purposes, including cyber tax espionage, and the spread of this information. The absence of the University agreed framework has created a vacuum that can be exploited by state and nonstate actors. We urgently need clear rules and regulations and hold parties, responsible and accountable for the actions in cyber space.
As government supply chains become increasingly expansive and interconnected, vulnerabilities in suppliers’ systems, and in the products and services they deliver, present increasingly attractive opportunities to adversaries seeking to gain access to sensitive information infrastructure networks in the governance structure. Cyber-attacks by various state and non-state actors continue to pose a threat to the life and livelihoods of each and every country.