Geneva: The State of Qatar participated in the High-level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament, held in Geneva. HE Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi led Qatar's delegation at the event, emphasizing the country's commitment to global disarmament initiatives.
According to Qatar News Agency, Dr. Al Hammadi highlighted Qatar's steadfast national policy and clear positions on disarmament issues, rooted in its commitment to maintaining international peace and security. Qatar has joined several major international agreements in the field of disarmament and continues to update its national legislation to align with its international obligations regarding weapons of mass destruction.
Dr. Al Hammadi addressed the conference, underscoring the unprecedented risks posed by the ongoing global crises, tensions, and advancements in military technology such as nuclear modernization and the weaponization of outer space. He urged the Conference on Disarmament to overcome its three-decade-long stagnation by fostering mutual trust, demonstrating political will, and engaging in a comprehensive work program. He called for negotiations on a treaty to eliminate all nuclear weapons transparently and irreversibly.
Furthermore, Dr. Al Hammadi welcomed the Pact for the Future, which aims to achieve a world free of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. He advocated for the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, enhancing the United Nations' role in disarmament, and recommended convening a fourth United Nations General Assembly special session focused on comprehensive disarmament.
Dr. Al Hammadi also condemned the actions of Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip, accusing them of aggression and genocide against Palestinians. He criticized their targeting of civilian facilities and the use of starvation policies as collective punishment. He highlighted the use of more than 90,000 tons of explosives by the Israeli forces, equating their destructive power to seven nuclear bombs, according to military experts.