Oman confirms commitment to nuclear non-proliferation
Oman has stressed its commitment to the nuclear non-proliferation system especially the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its three pillars: nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
This came in a statement by Oman's Permanent Delegation during the meeting of the Second Preparatory Committee for the 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons 2026 at the United Nations in Geneva.
It was delivered by Ambassador Idris bin Abdul Rahman Alkhanjari, Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations and international organisations.
The Ambassador said that the voluntary accession of all Arab countries to the treaty, and their acceptance of subjecting their nuclear facilities to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s comprehensive safeguards system, represents a clear and frank confirmation of their good intentions in adhering to the international non-proliferation agenda.
He stated that Oman's delegation supports the statement of the Arab Group and the statement of the Non-Aligned Group expressing appreciation for the efforts of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and for all endeavours aimed at maintaining security and peace at regional and international levels.
He said nuclear weapons posed a threat to human existence and the geographical environment and stressed the importance of ending the arms race and the dangers of weapons of mass destruction.
The Ambassador explained that Article 6 of the Non-Proliferation Treaty obliged nuclear states to get rid of their nuclear weapons in exchange for other countries not seeking to possess them.
He said there was a stagnation in the process of implementing the treaty especially after the failure of two recent review conferences to adopt a final document by consensus. He said manipulation of meanings and interpretations undermined the credibility and sustainability of the treaty and had resulted in success for the policy of procrastination.
The Ambassador stated that peaceful uses of atomic energy are an inherent and inalienable right of the States Parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and highlight the important role played by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
He said Oman stressed the need to provide sufficient resources to finance the technical cooperation programme and not to prejudice Member States who have the right to benefit from it.
He added: “The responsibility to rid the Middle East of weapons of mass destruction is an urgent collective and international responsibility, especially after Israel threatened to use a nuclear bomb, which is an implicit admission of its possession. Accordingly, the Sultanate of Oman condemns in the strongest terms these threats and the irresponsibility, extremism and recklessness they reflect.
“The international community has confidence in impunity, and my country stresses the need to subject Israel to the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency without delay, and to exert sufficient pressure to have it join the Non-Proliferation Treaty, as it is the only country in the region that is not a party to the treaty,
“The testimonies of Arab and foreign doctors from various UN missions about the type of injuries seen and the extent of the destruction suggest that Israel is using internationally prohibited weapons in the complete absence of all methods of control.
“On this basis, the Sultanate of Oman reaffirms that the binding resolution of 1995 regarding the Middle East remains in effect until it is implemented and its objectives are fully achieved.”
He said it was necessary to find a legally binding international instrument that gives non-nuclear state parties unconditional guarantees that nuclear weapons will not be used or threatened against them.
He stressed that the possession of nuclear weapons by states parties to the treaty is temporary and not an acquired right or a permanent status and nuclear states should respect their obligations to eliminate their nuclear weapons through a clear timetable, measurable goals and greater transparency.
The Ambassador stressed that Oman believes the ideal and final solution to ensure that humanity is spared the horrors of these deadly weapons and other weapons of mass destruction is to completely eliminate them and not to renew and develop them.
He said international covenants must be fulfilled and multilateral action should not be marginalised if there is real and sincere intention to achieve international peace and security in a stable and sustainable manner.
This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.