Ambassador Rodolfo Benítez Verson, Permanent Representative of Cuba, speaks at the UN Conference on Disarmament session on Israel's military attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran

Madam President,

 

Cuba condemns in the strongest possible terms the attacks perpetrated by Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran, in flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including the principles of sovereignty and the non-threat or non-use of force.

 

Israel's aggressive policy and the impunity with which it carries out its reprehensible and irresponsible acts are only possible thanks to the military, financial, logistical, and political support guaranteed by the United States government.

 

Such actions seriously jeopardize regional and international stability and security, with unpredictable effects. The United States and Israel will have to answer for the consequences of an unjustified war against Iran.

 

Cuba reaffirms its solidarity with the people and government of Iran and warns of the danger of a larger conflagration.

 

We call on the international community, and in particular the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly, to exercise their primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security and immediately put an end to this aggression and the impunity with which the Zionist regime operates.

 

The genocide carried out by Israel against the Palestinian people must also cease. Nothing justifies this barbarity, preceded by decades of illegal occupation.

 

Madam President,

 

Achieving nuclear disarmament is not only the highest priority in the field of disarmament; it is a matter of survival.

 

Humanity is threatened by the existence of more than 12,300 nuclear weapons. Of these, 3,900 are active and deployed in operational forces, ready for immediate use; this number has been growing in recent years.

 

More than $100 billion is spent annually on the maintenance and modernization of nuclear arsenals, equivalent to $274 million per day. That figure also increases every year.

 

That money would have covered the United Nations budget 28 times over, at a time when the Organization is facing deep budget cuts.

 

The United States alone is spending $56.8 billion annually on nuclear weapons, more than all other nuclear-weapon countries combined.

 

Furthermore, global military spending has grown steadily over the past 10 years and has now reached a record $2 720 billion. NATO members account for 55% of this spending, and a single country, the United States, is responsible for nearly 40% of global military spending.

 

The data make it clear that we are not making progress in the area of ​​disarmament. On the contrary, we are regressing. We are witnessing a sustained global trend toward rearmament, including in the nuclear sphere. This reality cannot be ignored by this Conference.

 

The establishment of a Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East is more of a priority than ever.

 

Israel's opposition has prevented the creation of such a zone, despite numerous resolutions and decisions adopted on the matter by the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

 

Israel, the only country in the Middle East that is neither a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) nor has declared its intention to do so, must renounce the possession of nuclear weapons, accede to the NPT without delay as a non-nuclear-weapon State, and place all its nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards.

 

Madam President,

 

Cuba recognizes and supports the legitimate right of States, including Iran, to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, without discrimination.

 

The IAEA is the only body mandated and empowered to verify compliance with safeguards obligations. That role does not fall to Israel, the United States, or any other country.

 

Differences regarding the implementation of the IAEA safeguards agreement with Iran must be resolved through cooperation, dialogue, and negotiation, without preconditions, interference, or unilateral sanctions.

 

We reiterate our rejection of the unjustified decision by the United States government to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or Iran Nuclear Deal in 2018 and reimpose sanctions against that country.

 

I conclude, Madam President, by emphasizing that Cuba is firmly committed to peace, the Charter of the United Nations, and International Law.

 

We will continue to advocate tirelessly for a safer world, for the good of present and future generations.

 

Thank you very much