Kuala Lumpur (VNA)༺ – The 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) has called on Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) to recognise the urgent need for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons, which remains the only guarantee that they will never be used again under any circumstances.

The meeting also urged the NWS to fulfil their obligations in advancing nuclear disarmament under Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Malaysian news agency Bernama reported on July 12. According to the ASEAN chairman’s Statement of the 32nd ARF, the meeting noted concerns raised by some participants over the declining commitment to, and cooperation within, global non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament mechanisms, and called on all countries to implement their commitments under these mechanisms. The 32nd ARF also called for greater commitment to strengthening international and regional cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament and the peaceful use of nuclear energy and related technologies. The meeting reaffirmed its commitment to preserving Southeast Asia as a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (NWFZ) and free of all other weapons of mass destruction, as well as to the full and effective implementation of the SEANWFZ Treaty. According to the statement, the ARF also urged all parties to respect the ceasefire and avoid further escalation in the Middle East. It reaffirmed the obligation of all states to resolve disputes through peaceful means and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Charter. The meeting further reiterated the obligations to protect civilians and civilian infrastructures in armed conflicts consistent with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. “The meeting also supported ongoing efforts, including those led by the UN, aimed at de-escalating tensions and facilitating the resumption of constructive engagement among parties involved,” the statement read. The 32nd ARF held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 11, saw representatives from ASEAN member states and dialogue partners, including Australia, Canada, China, the European Union (EU), India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the US, and other countries such as Bangladesh, Mongolia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste./.