UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY - FIRST COMMITTEE GENERAL DEBATE
Statement delivered by H.E. Clare Walsh, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and to the Conference on Disarmament, Geneva
13 October 2025
Thank you Chair. Let me begin by welcoming the breakthrough on the first phase of the plan to bring peace to Gaza. Agreement to a ceasefire, and the disarming of Hamas, are of special importance to the work of this Committee. We acknowledge President Trump’s leadership and the role of Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye in this outcome.
Chair, eighty years ago, emerging from the devastation, grief and the ruin of war, the people of our nations came together and put their trust in each other’s humanity.
Since then, the UN has achieved much through collective effort to achieve global peace and security.
Building a strong disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control architecture.
Guarding against the spread of nuclear weapons – and working for a world free of nuclear weapons.
Developing norms and regulating the development, use and trade in weapons.
Chair,
Our collective efforts here in First Committee matter.
The world faces increasingly complex challenges. Russia’s ongoing illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine exemplifies the extent of these challenges. And the institutions we have worked arduously together to build are under strain.
International peace and security needs effective multilateralism.
This is not somebody else’s problem – it is up to each member state to do its part.
Chair,
We must lift our gaze and be laser focused on what we are here to do.
For Australia, this means:
First, fighting hard to hold on to what matters. Those irreplaceable institutions and rules that we have built, and which continue to make us safe...
...the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and international humanitarian law.
Second, complex challenges require us to be creative, innovative and to find new ways of working.
Not every problem needs a treaty.
Political declarations, norms of responsible state behavior, effective export control regimes, confidence-building measures – these help reinforce and support this architecture.
Third, how we do our work matters. Collaboration, listening, dialogue, and inclusion. We must look for modest, incremental, practical measures to move us forward.
Chair,
We need to stand up for what matters.
The NPT is one of the great achievements of multilateralism. It has made the world safer and continues to do so.
It is essential to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and build realistic pathways to their elimination.
At next year’s Review Conference, Australia will work to preserve the ongoing security benefits of the Treaty and strengthen its implementation...
...to address proliferation threats like that posed by Iran’s nuclear program and DPRK’s ongoing development of nuclear weapons in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions
...to back the independent, technical authority of the IAEA
...to negotiate for more transparency, accountability and effective reporting;
...to agree practical measures for action to reduce the risks of nuclear conflict.
Chair,
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty has created powerful global rules against nuclear testing – which have a high compliance track record, and must be protected.
Its international monitoring system provides an essential global public good.
The Chemical Weapons Convention has helped rid the world of all declared chemical weapons.
But some states are flouting its rules.
We must work together to ensure that the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons can respond effectively to chemical weapons threats and use, and prevent the re-emergence of stockpiles.
… We must also address growing biological threats, including through strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention.
Chair,
Humanitarian disarmament treaties are under increasing pressure and states are having to grapple with difficult choices.
Landmark treaties such as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban and Cluster Munition Conventions have helped save countless lives since entering into force.
So, it is regrettable that some states have decided to withdraw from these conventions.
Australia will continue to reinforce their value and urge their universalization and implementation.
Chair,
Australia supports creative and innovative approaches to address the challenges of our times.
Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence present great opportunities. They also present risks. Australia is committed to the responsible use of AI in the military domain. AI technologies must comply with international law, including IHL and international human rights law, throughout their life cycle.
Chair,
Space touches every aspect of our lives. From international communications networks to military and defence capabilities. Australia supports an approach centred on responsible behaviours that actively promote safety, predictability, and stability in the space environment.
We are firmly committed to promoting peace and security in cyberspace, by shaping and upholding the framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace.
Chair,
Australia’s commitment to bolstering the non-proliferation and disarmament regime is not rhetorical.
We back our words with actions.
As permanent Chair of the Australia Group, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, we are proud to be a global leader in multilateral export control regimes that deliver vital outcomes to prevent the proliferation chemical and biological weapons.
As co-chair of the ASEAN Regional Forum’s work on non-proliferation and disarmament, with the Philippines and New Zealand, Australia is working with ASEAN partners to build mutual understanding and reduce the risk of conflict in the Indo-Pacific.
As joint coordinator of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative with the Philippines and Japan, we are working to build consensus at next year’s NPT Review Conference.
And as Chair of the IAEA Board of Governors for 2025-2026, Australia is working hard to support the IAEA to deliver vital nuclear safeguards, security and safety outcomes for its members.
Chair,
How we work together, as an international community, is critical to our success.
Australia values listening. Dialogue. Inclusivity. Respect.
Durable peace is impossible without the full, equal and meaningful participation of diverse voices. Here at the United Nations, all voices are welcome. Limit those voices and we limit our success.
Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325, Australia is proud to champion the women, peace and security agenda as a cornerstone of our foreign and defence policy.
Chair,
First Committee gives us, the international community, five weeks to work together to make progress and protect the rules and institutions we all rely on. We all have a part to play - and Australia will play its part.