STATEMENT (1C) : ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN) AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE FIRST COMMITTEE OF THE 80TH SESSION

STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN

NATIONS (ASEAN)

AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE FIRST COMMITTEE

of the 80^th session of the united nations

general assembly

new york, 8 october 2025

Mr. Chair,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

2. At the outset, ASEAN congratulates you, Ambassador Maurizio Massari, and members of your Bureau, on your election. We assure you of ASEAN’s full support as you guide the work of the First Committee. We also commend the tireless efforts of the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs and her Office in advancing our shared objectives.  

3. As conflict persists in different regions, rising tensions in the international security environment have exacerbated challenges to the global disarmament and non-proliferation architecture. The importance of multilateral cooperation cannot be overstated, and ASEAN will continue to contribute actively to the evolving discourse and action at the United Nations and other relevant fora.

Nuclear Disarmament and Non-proliferation

4. ASEAN remains deeply concerned about the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons, eight decades since they were first tested and used. The total elimination of nuclear weapons is the only absolute guarantee against their use or threat of use.

5. ASEAN reaffirms its recognition of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of global nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear energy. We look forward to the 2026 NPT Review Conference, and note with appreciation that Viet Nam, an ASEAN Member State, has been nominated to serve as its President. We call upon all States Parties to engage in the Conference constructively and in good faith, and to extend their full support to the President in facilitating discussion, with a view to ensuring a successful and substantive outcome. ASEAN underscores that strong political will by all States Parties is essential in safeguarding the credibility and integrity of the Treaty.

6. ASEAN also reiterates its collective opposition to nuclear testing, and stresses the urgent need for the universalisation and entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). All ASEAN Member States have ratified the CTBT, and we once again urge the remaining Annex 2 States to sign and ratify the Treaty without further delay.

7. This year marks the 30^th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), or the Bangkok Treaty. ASEAN reaffirms its commitment to preserving the Southeast Asian region as a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and free of all other weapons of mass destruction. We remain committed to continuously engaging all Nuclear-Weapon States (NWS), including those with reservations, and to intensifying the efforts of all parties to resolve all outstanding issues in accordance with the objectives and principles of the SEANWFZ Treaty. We look forward to the accession of Timor-Leste to the SEANWFZ Treaty at the 47^th ASEAN Summit. We also look forward to the adoption of the ASEAN-sponsored biennial resolution on the Bangkok Treaty during this session of the First Committee.

8. ASEAN recalls that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) represents a historic milestone, complementing other nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation instruments. ASEAN hopes that the Treaty will further contribute to advancing the universally shared goal of a world free of nuclear weapons. TPNW States Parties and signatories remain committed to its implementation and are preparing for the First Review Conference of the Treaty in 2026.

Mr. Chair,

Other WMDs

9. ASEAN maintains its unequivocal commitment to upholding the international norms against the existence and use of chemical, biological and radiological weapons.

10. We reaffirm our full support for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to carry out its mandated work as the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in a comprehensive, objective and impartial manner and in complementarity with the work of the UN.

11. ASEAN also reaffirms its commitment to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC). Noting the lack of a verification mechanism, which continues to present a challenge to the effectiveness of the Convention, we welcome the establishment of the Working Group on Strengthening the BWC. We also underline the critical role of international cooperation, assistance, and exchanges in the peaceful use of toxins, biological agents, equipment, and technology.

Outer Space

12. ASEAN notes the importance of ongoing multilateral discussions on outer space, inter alia within the framework of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on the prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its aspects (2024-2028). We reiterate that access to outer space is an inalienable right of all States, and must be pursued solely for peaceful purposes and for the collective benefit of humanity.

Conventional Weapons

13. ASEAN recognises the legitimate right and authority of sovereign nations to use conventional weapons to maintain internal security and to defend territorial integrity, while underlining the need to address the growing illicit proliferation of conventional weapons, which hampers economic and social progress and threatens peace and security. To this end, we welcome the consensus adoption of the outcome document of the Fourth Review Conference of the United Nations Programme of Action (POA) to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI). We emphasise the need to expedite the implementation of the Fellowship Training Programme on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

ICT Security

14. ASEAN reaffirms its commitment to building an open, secure, stable, accessible, peaceful and interoperable cyberspace. We welcome the consensus adoption of the Final Report of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies (2021-2025), chaired by Singapore. ASEAN Member States have actively contributed to the OEWG process, and will work with all partners to ensure a seamless transition to the forthcoming Global Mechanism on developments in the field of ICTs in the context of international security and advancing responsible State behaviour in the use of ICTs. We also underline the need to strengthen ICT security capacity building, particularly for developing countries. 

Disarmament Machinery

15. Under the UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC), ASEAN looks forward to further discussions on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, as well as emerging technologies in the context of international security, with a view to fostering common understandings and addressing pressing challenges.

Mr. Chair,

16. ASEAN acknowledges the Pact for the Future, which reaffirmed our collective commitment to upholding disarmament obligations and strengthening international norms. We support sustained efforts to revitalize the United Nations' role in disarmament, including through preparations towards a potential Fourth Special Session of the General Assembly devoted to Disarmament (SSOD-IV).

17. In conclusion, ASEAN looks forward to constructive engagement with all delegations and stakeholders during the present session of the First Committee, as we work together towards achieving peace, security and sustainable development for all.

Thank you.