UNGA63 First Committee: Thematic Debate Statement: Other WMD
Statement by Ms Joanna Gash MP to the United Nations First Committee Thematic Debate on Other Weapons of Mass Destruction
20 October 2008
(As delivered)
Mr Chairman
The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems is a serious threat to international and regional security.
The international community’s response through UN Security Council Resolution 1540 strengthens our defences against chemical and biological proliferation, as well as against the proliferation of nuclear weapons and delivery systems.
Australia has long been at the forefront of international efforts to combat the spread of chemical and biological weapons.
As chair of the Australia Group, we work with 40 other countries and the EC, in harmonising and strengthening chemical and biological export control lists.
Coordination of national export control measures assists Australia Group participants to fulfil their obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention to the fullest extent.
Mr Chairman
In the past decade, the CWC has emerged as a cornerstone of the multilateral non-proliferation and disarmament architecture. It is crucial to our efforts to halt the proliferation of chemical weapons.
Australia is encouraged by continuing progress in the destruction of chemical weapons which has resulted in the verified elimination of more than one third of declared stockpiles. One former possessor state has completed elimination of all chemical weapons. We urge the other five possessor states to make every effort to meet their extended deadlines for destruction.
In May of this year, states parties to the CWC gathered in The Hague for the Second Review Conference.
Australia welcomes the consensus report agreed at the Second Review Conference.
But we regret that the difficult negotiating environment at this Conference prevented constructive discussion of many of the challenges facing the CWC, and thus agreement by States Parties on how to deal with them.
It is now vital that all CWC member states look to the future to ensure that the CWC adapts to developments in science and technology. And we must continue to strive for the full and effective implementation of declaration and inspection requirements to activities not prohibited by the Convention.
Mr Chairman
The BWC is strengthening global defences against biological weapons and bio-terrorism.
We have lately witnessed re-energised and practical efforts towards full and effective implementation of the BWC, buoyed by the decisions reached at the last Review Conference.
In 2008 we are again reaping the benefits of these decisions …
… including through valuable intersessional meetings and the accomplishments of an energetic Implementation Support Unit.
The BWC has also recently made strides on universalisation. As of 1 October 2008 there are 162 States Parties and an additional 13 Signatories – a significant improvement since the Review Conference when there were only 155 States Parties.
Australia warmly congratulates the three states which have ratified or acceded to the Convention this year – Zambia, Madagascar and the United Arab Emirates.
We strongly hope that the recent tempo of new accessions and ratifications continues…
… particularly so in our own region.
Australia is committed to realising universal adherence and full implementation to the BWC in the Asia-Pacific.
In May 2007, we organised a biosafety and biosecurity training workshop in Australia for 12 technical experts from South East Asia.
We have supported the EU Joint Action outreach program for the Asia-Pacific.
And we have also urged – at Foreign Minister level – that the eight Pacific states yet to join the BWC do so.
While we do not suspect any Pacific Island states of ambitions to develop a biological weapons program, adherence to and implementation of the BWC by these states is an important preventative tool against the ‘safe havens’ sought by perpetrators of bioterrorism.
Mr Chairman
Australia considers that more needs to be done to counter WMD delivery systems, particularly given there is no international treaty regime covering ballistic missile proliferation.
Efforts to stop missile proliferation focus on coordinated action among concerned states, especially in relation to controlling exports of missile-related materials and technologies.
The Hague Code of Conduct is a non-legally binding instrument that promotes cooperative and transparent measures aimed at curbing the proliferation of ballistic missile systems worldwide.
Australia is working with other HCOC subscribers to broaden awareness of the Code, which has 130 state signatories, and to encourage more states to join.
The Code complements the Missile Technology Control Regime, which seeks to harmonise export controls on missile equipment and technology, and other unmanned aerial WMD-delivery systems.
Australia will chair the MTCR in 2008-09 and seek to advance its important work in defeating the proliferation of WMD-delivery systems.
Mr Chairman
Black market activity, including illicit brokering and intermediation services, seeks to avoid the restrictions set out in the CWC, BWC and the export control regimes.
With this threat in mind, the Republic of Korea and Australia will put forward during this First Committee a resolution on the prevention of illicit brokering.
The resolution addresses the proliferation risk posed by illicit brokering, including brokering in all aspects of WMD and their delivery systems.
It is time this important issue was placed comprehensively on the UN agenda.
Mr Chairman
Australia continues to see an important role for the CWC and the BWC in the global security architecture and as a tool for curbing the threat of chemical and bio-terrorism.
We will continue our efforts to support, strengthen and advance these Conventions.
We will also work to address clandestine transfers of missiles, missile components and related technology which represent an increasing proliferation concern for the international community.
I thank you.