Mr. President,

Allow me to thank you and commend you for organizing today’s thematic discussion on an important theme, which is cross-cutting and of direct relevance to our work here in the CD.  In this context, Distinguished Ambassador of Belarus, Mr. Yuri Ambarazevich, has not only presented useful review of the work carried out by CD but has also laid out a useful roadmap for further efforts.  Similarly, Ms. Kerstin Vignard, Deputy Director from UNIDIR also provided a brief overview of the multilateral efforts in the area of S&T as well as opportunities and challenges emanating from the use of Artificial Intelligence.

In this context, I would like to briefly outline India’s efforts, with a particular focus on S&T as well as WMD terrorism.       

Since 2002, India has tabled a resolution in the First Committee on ‘Measures to Prevent Terrorists from Acquiring WMD’s’.  The resolution has been adopted by consensus for the last 17 years and has helped focus attention of the international community on this global threat.       

Having recognized the importance of emerging developments in S&T, India decided to table a resolution in 2017 on the ‘Role of S&T in the International Security and Disarmament’ which again has been adopted without vote by the First Committee and UNGA.  It is in response to this resolution that UNIDIR is organizing a one-day focused seminar on 19th August as mentioned by Ms. Vignard.  I would like to sincerely thank our co-partners from Germany, Qatar and Switzerland who have very graciously and generously come forward to support this initiative.  India will continue to pursue this resolution and develop it further in the light of feedback received from fellow Member States, both through the Report of the UNSG in response to the resolution, but also received here in the Conference.        

As to other issues raised today under the Agenda Items 5,6 and 7, India participated actively in the work of Subsidiary Bodies last year under the able Chairmanship of Ambassador of Belarus and will continue to work with fellow Member States to effectively address these issues through a consensus-based approach.         

Thank you, Mr. President.