Algeria Warns of “Grave Consequences” from Nuclear Weapons Use, Reaffirms Unconditional Commitment to Prohibition Treaty

Geneva, July 25, 2024 – Rachid Beladhane, Algeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva and international organizations in Switzerland, reaffirmed today Algeria’s “full and unconditional” commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). He warned of the “grave consequences” that the use of nuclear weapons poses to global peace and security.

Addressing nuclear disarmament and security guarantees at the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the 11th Review Conference of the NPT in 2026, Beladhane declared that the Algerian delegation supports statements made on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, the African Group, and the Arab Group.

Beladhane underscored Algeria’s unwavering adherence to the NPT, emphasizing its “central” role in the non-proliferation and disarmament framework. He called on all nations outside the treaty to join without delay or precondition and urged nuclear-armed states within the treaty to honor their commitments and responsibilities.

Beladhane stressed the necessity for NPT signatories to fulfill their obligations by taking credible and incremental steps toward the irreversible reduction and elimination of nuclear weapons. He highlighted the significant role of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in advancing international efforts towards nuclear disarmament and the complete eradication of nuclear arms. This should serve as an impetus to reactivate the Conference on Disarmament for negotiating further international instruments on nuclear disarmament.

Furthermore, Algeria urged prompt negotiations within the Conference on Disarmament for a non-discriminatory multilateral treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other explosive devices, as one of the 13 steps agreed upon at the 2000 NPT Review Conference chaired by Algeria. This includes addressing existing stockpiles of such materials.

He further emphasized that protecting non-nuclear-weapon states from the use or threat of nuclear weapons is an inherent and necessary right, enshrined in Article 2(4) of the UN Charter and the preamble of the NPT.

In this context, Algeria welcomed the adoption of the 2024 work program for the Conference on Disarmament and urged the subcommittee on security assurances to negotiate a binding international instrument concerning comprehensive negative security assurances that nuclear-weapon states must provide unconditionally to non-nuclear-weapon states party to the treaty.

Beladhane concluded by stressing the importance of expediting the conclusion of this instrument and maintaining the commitment of nuclear-weapon states to their individual declarations of providing negative assurances to non-nuclear-weapon states party to the treaty, as per Security Council Resolutions 255 (1968) and 984 (1995).