Geneva. 24 January 2024. -During the opening session of the Conference on Disarmament, Cuba renewed its commitment to this body, the only multilateral body devoted to the negotiation of legally binding instruments on this matter.
Intervining in the debate, Juan Antonio Quintanilla Román, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Cuba in Geneva, referred to the paralysis that has affected the Conference on Disarmament for decades. The Cuban diplomat stressed that each component of the United Nations disarmament machinery fulfils a purpose, and emphasised the importance of tackling the pending tasks within the body, especially the negotiation of instruments on: the prohibition of an arms race in outer space, the prohibition of the production of fissile material for weapons and other nuclear devices, including stocks, and the granting of effective security guarantees for non-nuclear-weapon States.
The Caribbean representative also reaffirmed that nuclear disarmament is and must remain the highest priority in the field of disarmament, given the existential threat posed by these weapons. He called upon on other Members to draw inspiration from the success and accelerated institutionalization of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Advocating for multilateralism, he denounced the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against his country and the violation of articles X and XI of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions that it entails.
The Cuban diplomat reiterated a condemnation of the escalation of violence and assassinations of civilians committed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories. He underlined the complicity of the US government in the ongoing genocide through its vetoes in the Security Council and called on the international community to prevent the loss of more innocent lives.
The 2024 session of the CD will be chaired by India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland and Israel, in that order.
Permanent Mission of Cuba in Geneva