Qatar’s stance on making the Middle East free of nuclear weapons has again been emphasised as the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ahmad bin Hassen Al Hammadi has always supported efforts and initiatives to promote the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.
Last year, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on all Middle East States to transform the vision of a region with no nuclear weapons, or other weapons of mass destruction, into a working reality. A nuclear weapon is usually in the form of a bomb or missile that explodes when a nuclear reaction occurs and results in mass destruction.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), five nuclear-weapon-free zones (NWFZ) have been established over the past few decades, with signatory States undertaking, among other obligations, to not have nuclear weapons in the territory of the applicable NWFZ and to conclude comprehensive safeguards agreements with the IAEA. Currently, it is estimated that some 15,000 nuclear weapons exist in the world.
Dr. Al Hammadi’s call buttressed the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani’s position last year during an interview with CNN when he stressed that Qatar does not support a nuclear programme developing in the region as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) talks.
While addressing the first Arab symposium on disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation held in Doha, Dr Al Hammadi said the continued absence of progress towards establishing the NWFZ carries grave consequences that threaten international and regional peace and security. He said Qatar has acceded to the treaties related to the elimination of WMD, the prohibition of nuclear testing, and non-proliferation, in addition to its accession to the treaties prohibiting or restricting specific types of conventional weapons.
He disclosed that the meeting epitomises Qatar’s efforts to mobilise regional and international efforts towards the supreme goal of protecting humanity by reaching a comprehensive ban on nuclear weapons based on international law and international humanitarian law.
He asserted the need for the full and effective implementation of Article VI of the treaty on nuclear disarmament, as well as ensuring the nuclear states’ commitment to the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals.
It is worth noting that Qatar was among 127 states that endorsed a “humanitarian pledge to cooperate “in efforts to stigmatise, prohibit, and eliminate nuclear weapons”. The pledge was instrumental in building momentum and support for convening the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) negotiations.
