Canada's statement to the First Committee of the 79th session of the United Nations, Thematic Debate: Conventional Weapons

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New York, USA, October 24, 2024

Madam Chair,

We are deeply concerned by the erosion of global peace and security. Events such as Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine have challenged international norms, institutions and treaties, and undermine the global disarmament community and non-proliferation framework. In order to contain and counter these threats and to prevent further harm to innocent civilians, Governments need to work together, and along side civil society, to prevent the illicit transfer, possession and proliferation of conventional weapons. Canada is committed to these objectives and will work with all states to achieve them.

Moreover, these efforts must be guided by the perspectives and involvement of all persons, particularly women and girls. History has shown us that the integration of intersectional considerations and broader perspectives can have positive, lasting impacts on non-proliferation, arms control, and disarmament initiatives.

Madam Chair,

Canada was pleased with the progress made on gender at this year’s Fourth Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action and our co-sponsorship of the working paper on gender. We appreciate Costa Rica’s leadership to keep this fundamental issue firmly on the agenda. We welcome the term “gender responsive” in the Outcome Document and encourage its use across other First Committee processes.

Concerning arms transfers, Canada is an active party of the Arms Trade Treaty, which represents a growing and essential international norm, and a unique one that addresses gender-based violence. Ten years beyond the ATT’s inception, the Treaty is at a critical juncture where States Parties need to ensure its future sustainability. This is key to achieving our common objectives of reducing human suffering and contributing to peace, security and stability for all. Canada is pleased to support the Political Declaration led by the UK, which renews our collective commitment to the ATT’s implementation.

Canada is also proud to help eradicate anti-personnel mines, cluster munitions, and other explosive remnants of war. While the international community has made progress in these areas, we must acknowledge that humanitarian disarmament efforts are being put to the test. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine resulted in a sharp increase in contamination, putting far too many civilians at risk. In light of this ongoing conflict, and others raging elsewhere worldwide, including in the Middle East, we appreciate efforts by Ireland, Norway, and Costa Rica to advance the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA), and Canada encourages other States to endorse this important set of commitments that help protect civilians. We strongly encourage all States to renew their strong support for the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) and the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and we call on all States who have not yet done so to join these treaties. Like others, my delegation is concerned by Lithuania’s withdrawal from the Convention on Cluster Munitions and we call on them to reconsider their decision.

Despite the aforementioned challenges, we all must remain steadfast in our commitment to a world free of landmines and cluster munitions. To this end, Canada looks forward to 5th Review Conference of the APMBC in Siem Reap this year, and we were pleased to provide support to Cambodia in the preparations for the Conference. We appreciate Cambodia’s leadership in the lead-up to the Review Conference and we welcome the proposed draft Siem Reap Ankor Plan of Action which will guide the work of the Convention over the next five years.

Madam Chair,

In light of new and emerging issues, Canada is pleased with the new 3-year mandate given to the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. We appreciated the leadership demonstrated by our Dutch Chair, the approach he has taken in guiding the GGE’s activities, and we are optimistic that consensus can be found by building upon areas of conversion identified in the past. Canada reaffirms that all weapons used in armed conflict must be compliant with international humanitarian law. We also remain seized of the importance of addressing diversity and inclusion elements in this sphere, and we were pleased to co-sponsor a working paper this year in the GGE that outlines the issue of algorithmic bias as it relates to gender and other identify factors.

In closing, we believe it is essential to stay focused on what drives our shared efforts. We must keep them top-of-mind when we consider the cost of inaction in controlling these arms.

Thank you.