Geneva, Switzerland, March 13, 2025. Ambassador Rodolfo Benítez Verson, representative of Cuba, addressed the UN Conference on Disarmament today on behalf of 32 states from all continents, members of the Group of 21 (G-21).
The Cuban diplomat referred to the grave threat to humanity and life on Earth posed by the continued existence of nuclear weapons, and emphasized that the only defense against the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of a nuclear detonation is the total and irreversible elimination of these weapons, in a legally binding manner.
He reiterated that the G-21 believes that nuclear disarmament is and must continue to be the highest priority of the Conference on Disarmament and recalled the unanimous conclusion of the International Court of Justice in its 1996 Advisory Opinion on the obligation of States to conclude negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects, under strict and effective international control.
In his remarks, the representative of the Island conveyed the G-21's demand for the urgent initiation of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament for the prompt conclusion of a Comprehensive Convention on Nuclear Weapons that prohibits their possession, development, production, acquisition, testing, stockpiling, transfer, use, or threat of use, and provides for their destruction.
He also highlighted the importance of commemorating the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, observed annually on September 26, with the aim of mobilizing international efforts to achieve the common goal of a world free of nuclear weapons.
Full statement in English: Statement by Ambassador Rodolfo Benitez Verson, at the United Nations Conference on Disarmament, on behalf of the 32 countries members of the Group of 21 (G-21) | CUBADIPLOMATICA