The State of Qatar has reiterated its firm commitment to advancing efforts toward a Middle East free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, stressing that the complete elimination of nuclear arms remains the only reliable safeguard against their use or threat.
The position was articulated by Saud Musfer Al Shahwani, a member of Qatar’s delegation participating in the 2026 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Al Shahwani delivered the country’s official statement before the First Main Committee on Disarmament at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Al Shahwani underscored that nuclear disarmament remains one of the three foundational pillars of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and is essential to global efforts aimed at eliminating nuclear arsenals and dismantling their stockpiles.
Saud Musfer Al Shahwani pointed to Article VI of the treaty, which establishes a binding legal obligation on nuclear-armed states to pursue negotiations in good faith toward complete disarmament.
Delays in fulfilling these commitments, he warned, risk undermining the credibility of the international system and weakening trust among nations.
The Qatari representative cautioned that the continued existence of nuclear capabilities outside internationally recognized verification and accountability frameworks contributes to strategic instability.
Such conditions fuel arms races and create an increasingly fragile and escalation-prone global security environment.
The total elimination of nuclear weapons is the only dependable guarantee against their use, noting that partial measures or prolonged delays fail to address the core risks associated with nuclear proliferation.
Al Shahwani highlighted growing international calls for a phased and verifiable approach to disarmament. This includes achieving measurable reductions in nuclear arsenals, improving transparency around military doctrines and readiness levels, and expanding confidence-building mechanisms to reduce the risk of accidental or unintended use.
These steps would not only advance disarmament objectives but also contribute to easing geopolitical tensions, thereby strengthening international stability and enhancing global and regional security.
Concluding his remarks, Al Shahwani stressed that the Middle East, given its longstanding security challenges, should remain a priority in global disarmament efforts.
Saud Musfer Al Shahwani reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to working closely with regional partners and the international community to advance toward a nuclear-weapon-free region.
