Statement by Canada – Thematic Debate: Nuclear Weapons – 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly – First Committee

New York, 21 October 2025

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Chair,

In August, we commemorated the 80^th anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, solemnly remembering the horrific devastation and loss of life. Eighty years later, nuclear weapons remain an existential threat to all of humanity. Despite decades of collective commitments, including through vital treaties and agreements, progress on nuclear disarmament has stalled, and may indeed be reversing. Canada urges this Committee to recommit to real, measurable progress.

Russia’s continued reliance on nuclear threats and its suspension of key arms control obligations undermines global security and the very norms this Committee exists to uphold. Russia’s willingness to enable Iran’s nuclear non-compliance and shield the DPRK from accountability sends a dangerous signal: that commitments under the NPT and IAEA safeguards can be bent or ignored for political convenience.

Canada calls on Russia to return to compliance with its international commitments, including the full implementation of the New START Treaty, and we call on both Parties to that treaty to enter negotiations for a successor agreement as soon as possible.

China continues to opaquely expand its nuclear arsenal and cites its No First Use policy as a justification to avoid scrutiny. We call on China to demonstrate needed transparency regarding its nuclear arsenal and doctrine and to engage in nuclear arms control, disarmament, and risk reduction talks.

As we approach next year’s NPT Review Conference, we must collectively demonstrate the leadership and political will needed to maintain confidence in the Treaty.

Canada’s priorities for the upcoming RevCon are to safeguard the integrity of the NPT by advancing transparency, compliance, and tangible progress. The Treaty’s obligations bind all nuclear-weapon States equally, particularly through Article VI, and regardless of security circumstances, arsenal size, or alliance commitments. Our collective task is to achieve full universality of the Treaty and ensure the comprehensive implementation of its three pillars.

Progress on other elements of the step-by-step approach to nuclear disarmament remain stalled, such as negotiating a treaty on fissile material for nuclear weapons and the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Both treaties require an influx of political will from states that possess nuclear weapons – and it is up to them to take the crucial next steps.

Chair,

In today’s challenging international security environment, it is imperative that we work together on identifying and achieving practical steps to advance nuclear arms control and disarmament and reject the notion that the current environment justifies slowing down or abandoning our nuclear arms control and disarmament efforts. To the contrary, we need to redouble our efforts with a renewed sense of urgency.

Thank you.