Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the UN has asserted the country’swillingness to work closely with other states parties and signatories tostrengthen nuclear weapons free zones as well as to foster cooperationamong such regions, in joint efforts for the ultimate objective of aworld free of nuclear weapons.

Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Ngaaddressed the third Conference of States Parties and Signatories ofTreaties that Establish Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zones and Mongolia at theUN’s headquarters in New York on April 24.

Welcoming theconvening of the conference, Ambassador Nga praised that over the years,nuclear weapons free zones have proved to be essential for themaintenance of international peace and security, including nucleardisarmament and non-proliferation.

She said theestablishment of nuclear weapons free zones is also the manifestation ofthe aspiration of member states for better international and regionalsecurity, avoidance of power politics and the promotion of peacefulenvironment for development and prosperity.

She cited theestablishment and consolidation of such zones in Africa, Central Asia,Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, South Pacific andMongolia’s nuclear free status also contribute significantly to nuclearnon-proliferation as well as regional security cooperation. Such zonesconstitute an integral part of the global regime of nuclear disarmamentand non-proliferation.

“Vietnam therefore welcomes recentprogress in the work in the implementation of the treaties thatestablish the afore-mentioned nuclear weapons free zones. In thisregard, we consider the signing by the nuclear weapons states of theProtocol to the Treaty on Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in Central Asia isan important step forward.

We share the call for theestablishment of such zones in regions where they have not yet come intoexistence, including in the Middle East. In this regard, we share theview that the convening of an international conference, as soon aspossible, on this important issue, would be a significant contributionto global efforts, especially to the credibility and effectiveness ofthe Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty,” she said.

Ngareminded conference participants that in Southeast Asia, ASEAN MemberStates attach great importance to ensuring regional stability andsecurity. In 1995, ASEAN concluded the Bangkok Treaty to establish theSoutheast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zones (SEANWFZ) to ensure the totalabsence of nuclear weapons in the region.

Over the years, ASEANhas made great efforts to further the work of the framework establishedby the Treaty. Under the Plan of Action for 2013-2017, ASEAN has been inincreasingly close cooperation with international partners tostrengthen the Zone. ASEAN Member States have also strengthened theiradherence to relevant international instruments, including theComprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

“On its part, Vietnamis also strongly committed to the strengthening of the SEANWFZ. In ourdevelopment of nuclear infrastructure for peaceful use of nuclearenergy, we abide by relevant international standards to ensuretransparency, safety and security.

Since our lastconference in 2010, Vietnam has ratified the Additional Protocol and theConvention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material. We havecooperated closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) aswell as other partners, especially on capacity building and technicalassistance. We have been actively engaged in international efforts inthis area, including by fulfilling the responsibilities as Chair of theBoard of Governors of the IAEA for the term 2013-2014,” the Vietnameserepresentative emphasised.

Held every five years, the conferencebrought together representatives from over 100 member countries ofnuclear-weapons-free zones, and observer organisations.

It served as a forum where countries renewed their commitments to working together towards nuclear weapon disarmament.-VNA