Middle East calls for Nuclear Disarmament are reiterated at United Nations assembly
In the latest diplomatic shakeup, Kuwait's Diplomatic Attaché, Abdulaziz Al-Saeedi, has emphatically reaffirmed Kuwait's unwavering commitment to creating a Middle East devoid of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD). This stance, Al-Saeedi repeated, is grounded in the 1995 NPT Review Conference resolution—a legal and ethical responsibility, particularly for nuclear-armed nations and the treaty's custodians—the US, UK, and Russia.
Al-Saeedi's impassioned speech at the Third Preparatory Committee for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) at the UN in New York, cups brimming with regional and global security importance. He underscored the urgency of this endeavor and pointed out that missing this mark could compromise the NPT's authority and deteriorate faith in global disarmament initiatives.
The diplomat praised the continuous progress of the UN-led process aimed at crafting a nuclear-weapon-free zone, specifically recognizing the success of five sessions overseen by Arab nations, such as Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, and the latest, Morocco. Al-Saeedi repeated that Kuwait remains steadfast in maintaining an open, transparent, and inclusive approach, free from preconditions.
Al-Saeedi appealed for the resolution's sponsors to engage constructively and emphasized the paramount necessity for concrete actions to boost collective security and quell regional tension. He voiced concerns about the lack of disarmament mechanisms and selective application of international law, both of which pose a grave danger to regional tranquility.
Echoing a widespread sentiment, Al-Saeedi harshly criticized overt nuclear threats from the Israeli occupation against Palestine, denouncing it as a grave violation of the non-proliferation accord and a significant obstacle in the way of establishing the proposed free zone. Kuwait, in consequence, urged the global community to exert pressure on Israel to become part of the NPT and subject its nuclear facilities to rigorous International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
This renewed push for a Middle East free of nuclear weapons and WMDs encapsulates the ongoing tension surrounding the topic. Recent UN initiatives and Forums have demonstrated renewed determination, while continuing challenges still lurk. For instance, the UN-backed initiatives in April 2025, led by UNIDIR and the EU, delved into the role of external nations in supporting a WMD-free zone. Conversations revolved around lessons gleaned from existing nuclear-weapon-free zones, such as zone applications boundaries, and security guarantees [2][5]. Kuwait consistently advocates for the zone within multilateral settings, emphasizing collective regional security, and aligning with Arab states pressing for accountability regarding Israel's nuclear programs [3][4].
Plagued by obstacles like Israel's nuclear ambiguity, US-Russian disagreements, agenda disputes, and regional security dynamics, a consensus appears elusive. The Israeli undeclared nuclear arsenal and refusal to join the NPT constitute a destabilizing factor, requiring prior disarmament commitments [1][4]. Differences persist between the US and Russia over procedural approaches, whether to prioritize WMD discussions or broader security issues and the validity of the 2010 Helsinki mandate for convening a conference [1]. Furthermore, debates continue over whether discussions should take place under NPT frameworks or independent formats, with Russia opposing the NPT as the sole platform [1]. Lastly, Gulf states link WMD non-proliferation to broader threats, such as Iran's nuclear activities, complicating consensus-building [1][5].
In conclusion, the pressing need for confidence-building measures and revised diplomatic frameworks to address both nuclear and conventional security concerns becomes increasingly clear as the road to a nuclear-free Middle East remains scenic but obstructed.
- Kuwait, through its Diplomatic Attaché, Abdulaziz Al-Saeedi, has reaffirmed the nation's commitment to a Middle East free from nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD), a stance grounded in the 1995 NPT Review Conference resolution.
- Al-Saeedi's appeal for concrete actions to boost collective security and quell regional tension at the Third Preparatory Committee for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) emphasized the danger posed by the lack of disarmament mechanisms and selective application of international law.
- In his speech, Al-Saeedi critically addressed overt nuclear threats from the Israeli occupation against Palestine, denouncing it as a significant obstacle in the way of establishing the proposed nuclear-weapon-free zone.
- The ongoing push for a Middle East free of nuclear weapons and WMDs is a concerning topic in the realm of general news, politics, and war-and-conflicts, as ongoing challenges, such as Israel's nuclear ambiguity, US-Russian disagreements, and debates over discussion platforms, persist, making a consensus elusive.
