The Permanent Representative participates in the opening session of the first conference on establishing a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East

On 18/11/2019, the Permanent Representative, Ambassador Mohamed Hussein Bahr El-Uloom, participated in the opening session of the first conference on establishing a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, which is scheduled to last until 22/11/2019.

During the session, the Permanent Representative of Jordan, Ambassador Sima Bahous, was named as President of the first session of the Conference, which was attended by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Mr. Tijani Mohammed Pandey, President of the General Assembly at its 74th session, and Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs.

The Secretary-General Addressed the meeting; noted that the establishment of free zones provides tangible security benefits by giving its members assurances against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons, expressing the hope that this conference will mark the beginning of a comprehensive process in which all countries in the region can participate.

The Permanent representative of the Republic of Iraq delivered a speech at the opening session in which he pointed out that the world faces enormous challenges in spreading the danger of terrorist groups and their access to various weapons. He pointed out that the implementation of General Assembly Decision No. 546/73 is an advanced step towards achieving the goal of establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.

The speakers unanimously stressed the importance of establishing the Middle East Free Zone as an important element contributing to the promotion of regional and international peace and security.

The inaugural session received media coverage and was attended by UN member states and a number of relevant international organizations.