Madam Chair,
The Cuban delegation fully supports the statement delivered by the delegation of Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.
We congratulate you on your election as Chair of the Disarmament Commission during the substantive sessions this year. We similarly extend our congratulations to the members of the Bureau and the chairpersons of the working groups.
We welcome the fact that agreement has been reached on the issues on the Commission's agenda for this cycle, which will allow us to make progress in the discussions.
The recommendations on confidence-building measures in the field of conventional arms agreed upon last year reaffirm the validity of the mandate of the Disarmament Commission and that, with political will, we could also reach additional agreements in this cycle.
In particular, given the continuing serious threat posed by the mere existence of nuclear weapons to the very survival of the human race, agreeing on recommendations to achieve the objective of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons should be the priority of our work.
Madam Chair,
Concrete results were achieved on nuclear disarmament in 2018. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons codified its illegitimacy and illegality in international law, prohibiting the existence, use and threat of use of nuclear weapons and all types of nuclear tests.
Cuba supports the prompt entry into force of the Treaty and its universalization in order to contribute significantly to achieving a world free of nuclear weapons, while recognizing that further efforts must be made to achieve this goal.
In this regard, we call for support for the holding of the United Nations High-Level International Conference to Review Progress on Nuclear Disarmament that will take place in New York from 14 to 16 May 2018. We encourage participation at the highest level.
We also recall that the celebration of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on 26 September provides an important forum to raise awareness in the international community of the danger of nuclear weapons.
Madam Chair,
Nuclear-weapon States and others protected by the so-called "nuclear umbrella" must show political will and commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons and resume compliance with their obligations under the provisions of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
However, these States continue to modernize their nuclear weapons and to develop new types of weapons including by means of subcritical testing, seeking to legitimize their possession through a nuclear deterrence policy and a questionable concept of security, in clear breach of their legal obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, in particular Article VI thereof and the agreements reached at its 1995, 2000 and 2010 Review Conferences.
We encourage reversing these trends, overcoming the failure of the Ninth Review Conference and making concrete progress during the current Treaty Review cycle.
We once again call for the holding without further delay of the International Conference on the Establishment in the Middle East of a Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction.
It is time for nuclear disarmament to cease being a postponed and neglected objective. The Disarmament Commission provides us with the framework to give decisive impetus to this objective.
Madam Chair,
Cuba welcomes the new agenda item of the Committee entitled: "In accordance with the recommendations contained in the report of the Group of Governmental Experts on transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space (A/68/189), preparation of recommendations to promote the practical implementation of transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space activities with a view to preventing an arms race in outer space".
As we have expressed in other forums, we reiterate Cuba’s concern about the threat of an arms race in outer space and our support for the strengthening of the legal regime on outer space.
Cuba supports the adoption of a treaty for the prevention and prohibition of the placement of weapons in outer space. In this regard, as expressed in other forums we reiterate that the draft "Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects", presented by Russia and China in the Conference on Disarmament, constitutes a good basis for negotiations.
We consider however that pending the adoption of a treaty, the implementation of international transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space is appropriate and necessary, without them constituting an alternative to disarmament.
In this respect, as a sign of its full commitment to the prevention of an arms race in outer space, Cuba has supported the policy of no first placement of weapons of any type in outer space.
Cuba reiterates that the exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, must be carried out for the benefit and in the interest of all countries and must be the province of all mankind. In like manner, the legitimate right of all States to equal and non-discriminatory access to outer space must be respected.
An effective and more efficient international cooperation among States is essential to strengthening confidence in outer space activities.
Madam Chair,
Finally, our delegation wishes you success in the conduct of your duties and assures you that you can certainly count on our cooperation.
Thank you very much