Statement by H.E. Mr. Paruyr Hovhannisyan, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN, at the UNGA81 First Committee/General Debate

08 October, 2026

Mr. Chair,

I congratulate you and the other members of the Bureau on your election. Armenia is honored to serve as the Vice-Chair of the Committee and will do its utmost to contribute effectively to our collective work.

The international security architecture continues to bear the detrimental impacts of strategic instability, erosion of arms control mechanisms, rising military expenditure worldwide and weaponization of newly emerging domains. A firm commitment to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation remains as crucial as ever.

A robust and effective conventional arms control regime, alongside confidence and security building measures, is essential for maintaining peace at the international and regional levels.

The breakthrough achieved by Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington, D.C., on 8 August 2025, with President Trump’s support, marked by the signing of a Joint Declaration and the initialing of the peace agreement, opens a new chapter of peace, stability, prosperity and regional cooperation in the South Caucasus.

Mr. Chair,

Disarmament and non-proliferation are among Armenia’s priorities in the pursuit of international peace and security. Armenia reaffirms its strong support for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. We regret that, for the third consecutive time, States Parties were unable to reach consensus on a substantive outcome document at the 11th Review Conference of the Treaty.

Nevertheless, we recognize the importance of the extensive discussions held during the Conference and the continued commitment of States Parties to the objectives and principles of the NPT.

Armenia remains committed to the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The safe and secure operation of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant remains a strategic priority. We value our close and longstanding cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, including under the Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol, as well as through its technical cooperation programme.

Mr. Chair,

There are various steps that must be taken to further advance disarmament efforts, and among them is the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Armenia views it as one of the key elements of the nuclear non-proliferation regime and a strong tool for constraining nuclear weaponry. We extend our call upon all Annex 2 States that have not yet done so, to sign and ratify the Treaty at the earliest opportunity. The credibility and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime cannot be fully ensured without CTBT’s entry into force.

Rapid advances in biotechnology, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies offer opportunities for peaceful development while posing risks of misuse. Armenia supports strengthening the implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention and international cooperation, while continuing to strengthen national biosafety and biosecurity capacities.

Armenia also reaffirms its support for the Chemical Weapons Convention and the essential role of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in its implementation.

Mr. Chair,

Armenia will continue to work for effective multilateral arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation. Dialogue, transparency and cooperation are indispensable to lasting peace.

Thank you.

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