GENEVA — Saudi Arabia condemned incendiary remarks and threats made recently by an Israeli government official regarding the use of nuclear weapons against Palestinians. The Permanent Representative to the United Nations and International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila, described these statements as violations of international law and threats to global peace and security. The Kingdom participated in the second preparatory committee meeting for the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, led by Ambassador bin Khothaila. During the general discussion session of the preparatory committee, he emphasized Saudi Arabia's commitment to peaceful international cooperation as a means to achieve prosperity, stability, and global security. He stressed the importance of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as the cornerstone of the non-proliferation regime and the need for its full implementation to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. He called for more effective international efforts to achieve the objectives of this treaty and its universality, urging non-member states to join the treaty and subject all their nuclear facilities to the comprehensive safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Ambassador bin Khothaila highlighted the necessity for nuclear-armed states to fulfill their obligations under Article VI of the treaty, noting that the only way to ensure nuclear weapons are not used is through their complete elimination. He stressed the importance of maintaining balance among the three pillars of the NPT and the treaty's credibility in achieving its objectives, reaffirming Saudi Arabia's support for the IAEA's critical role in verifying the peaceful nature of nuclear programs. He affirmed the right to the peaceful use of nuclear technology under Article IV of the NPT, emphasizing Saudi Arabia's commitment to the highest standards of transparency and reliability in its national nuclear energy policy and the importance of economic development. He urged all NPT parties to cooperate to enhance the peaceful use of nuclear energy for global development and welfare. Ambassador bin Khothaila stated that the responsibility for making the Middle East a nuclear-weapon-free zone lies with the international community, particularly the proponents of the 1995 Resolution on the Middle East. He called for intensified cooperation among NPT parties to achieve positive outcomes at the upcoming 2026 Review Conference with the goal of achieving a safe and nuclear-weapon-free world.
