Thank you Mr Chairman.

Germany fully aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union.

Nuclear nonproliferation after all is a success story that has many aspects:

First and foremost, the NPT remains the central reference point on matters of nuclear order for almost all UN Member States. For more than half a century, the NPT has been providing significant security gains for its States Parties and has successfully curbed the emergence of new nuclear weapons states.

Second, there is the IAEA, which has given millions of people around the globe access to a vast range of nuclear applications while assuring the safe, secure and peaceful use of these technologies. Only stringent verification can create and preserve trust in the NPT’s non-proliferation norm and is the basis for any exchange of nuclear technology for peaceful uses.

Finally, an often-overlooked aspect of the nonproliferation success story lies in extended nuclear deterrence that has always been at the heart of non-proliferation. NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangements have effectively reduced the incentive for non-nuclear Allies to seek their own nuclear weapons in response to the threats they faced and still face. 1950’s Germany is a particular point in case!

Colleagues,

Today’s security environment remains extremely challenging:

By launching its war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia has dismantled the European security architecture, violating both the Budapest Memorandum and fundamental international law. In pursuit of its imperialist goals in Ukraine, Moscow has employed reckless nuclear threats, derailed arms control treaties, and even undermined the NPT and UNSC resolutions by partnering with North Korea to fuel its attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

China’s massive nuclear build-up without any transparency has added further uncertainty to the international security landscape and is a serious stumbling block for further progress on nuclear disarmament.

In addition, serious proliferation challenges remain, first and foremost with the ongoing proliferation crises in Iran and the DPRK. We are also concerned that some nuclear weapon states may have carried out nuclear tests below the IMS detection threshold. The moratorium on nuclear testing must be maintained and the CTBT strengthened.

Colleagues,

Under these dire circumstances, it is unrealistic to expect bold disarmament steps. This does not mean that we need to remain idle. Germany will continue to work on practical measures to reduce the risks of nuclear conflict, increasing transparency, and laying the foundations for nuclear disarmament verification. We work on ensuring that the NPT remains capable of responding to the risks created by artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities and space technology while harnessing the opportunities offered by new technologies for modernizing arms control.

Thank you!