Statement at the general exchange of views of

the substantive session of the United Nations Disarmament Commission for 2026

Delivered by Mr. Magsad Huseynov, First Secretary
 

UNHQ, CR1, 9 April 2026

Mr. Chair,

At the outset, I would like to congratulate you, as well as the other members of the Bureau, on your election and wish you success in guiding this session.

I also wish to extend our sincere appreciation to the Republic of Paraguay for its able chairmanship during the previous tenure.

Mr. Chair, Azerbaijan reaffirms its commitment to the objective of general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control, while attaching particular importance to the global non-proliferation architecture, including the role of the United Nations disarmament machinery.

The Disarmament Commission (UNDC) is the specialised, deliberative body of the United Nations, tasked with conducting in-depth deliberations and making recommendations on specific disarmament issues to the General Assembly. We believe that the Commission should build on constructive, inclusive dialogue and pursue focused discussions aimed at delivering practical, concrete recommendations on the items on its agenda.

Azerbaijan considers it important that the UNDC continue its work in accordance with its mandate, as set forth in the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly (resolution S-10/2), as well as the pertinent resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly concerning its functioning, rules of procedure and methods of work.

We hope that the final year of the current three-year cycle of the Disarmament Commission will build on the efforts undertaken thus far and enable the Commission to achieve specific recommendations on its two substantive agenda items, namely, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and emerging technologies in the context of international security.

Azerbaijan reaffirms its support for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime and an essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and stress the importance of the full and balanced implementation of all three pillars of the Treaty: nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Having signed and ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), Azerbaijan regards the CTBT as a core element of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

Azerbaijan recognises that information and communications technologies (ICTs), artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies can offer significant benefits for human well-being, sustainable development, and overall prosperity. This is particularly evident in post-conflict recovery efforts. In this context, Azerbaijan, together with its international partners, is exploring the use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, in rehabilitation and reconstruction, including mine action in its territories liberated from the decades-long occupation.

At the same time, rapid advances in emerging technologies have important implications for international peace and security, presenting both opportunities and challenges, including risks that require careful consideration. Azerbaijan remains committed to the responsible development and use of emerging technologies, in a manner consistent with the Charter of the United Nations and applicable international law, so that such technologies contribute to international peace and security and sustainable development

Mr. Chair, Azerbaijan reaffirms its commitment to multilateralism as the core principle in addressing disarmament and non-proliferation concerns, and to the continued importance and relevance of the United Nations disarmament machinery in this regard.

Azerbaijan looks forward to constructive discussions with other Member States within the Disarmament Commission, with a view to achieving specific recommendations on the items on its agenda.

Thank you.