Foreign Minister Stresses the Need to Prioritise the Supreme Goal to Preserve the Future of Humanity from Use of Nuclear Weapons and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Foreign Minister Mr. Fuad Hussein reiterated Iraq’s emphasis on the importance of establishing a Middle East region free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

The Minister praised the efforts made to convene the United Nations conference headed by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in November 2019, stating that this step constitutes a parallel path to support international efforts aimed at establishing a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East.

Minister Fuad Hussein called on all states parties to prioritise the supreme goal, which is preserving the future of mankind and to be more flexible for the success of the work of the next review conference of the treaty in 2021.

Minister Fuad Hussein appreciated the efforts to organize the high-level meeting to celebrate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, considering it a fundamental opportunity to highlight the enormous potential dangers and the catastrophic effects that could result from the resort of some parties to the use of nuclear weapons.

This came in Iraq’s speech delivered by the Minister at the high-level meeting to celebrate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on 2/10/2020.

Minister Fuad Hussein reiterated Iraq’s warning of the catastrophic effects in the event of the use of nuclear weapons, stressing the need for continued international efforts to enhance the universality of conventions and treaties related to disarmament and non-proliferation.

Minister Fuad also stated that the Iraqi government supports the international efforts in compliance with the Iraqi constitution, which stipulates the need to respect and implement the obligations concerned with preventing the proliferation, development and production of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction to reach a world free of nuclear weapons.

Minister Fuad Hussein referred to a number of steps taken by Iraq, including supporting the resolution of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, and joining the list of countries sponsoring draft resolutions on the humanitarian effects of nuclear weapons.