Algeria’s Vision of Ridding the World of Nuclear Weapons

Algeria, through its Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva and international organizations in Switzerland, Rachid Bladehane, reiterated on Wednesday that the basic guarantee for ridding the world of nuclear weapons is the universality of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the “full, balanced and effective” implementation of all its provisions.

In his intervention during the general discussion at the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the 11th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty – 2026, Bladehane confirmed that the Algerian delegation joined the statements delivered on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement Group, the African Group and the Arab Group.

On this occasion, Bladehane reiterated Algeria’s full and continued support for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, as the “cornerstone” of the disarmament and non-proliferation system, and its affirmation that “the basic guarantee for ridding the world of nuclear weapons is the achievement of the universality of the NPT and the full, balanced and effective application of all its provisions and its three pillars; nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.”

The Algerian diplomat explained that “Algeria reaffirms the need for all countries to join and commit to the NPT and the outcomes issued by the various review conferences regarding its three pillars, including the decision issued by the 1995 Treaty Extension and Review Conference regarding the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East”.

Bladehane highlighted that “Algeria has recorded constructive contributions in the field of disarmament, reflecting its firm commitment to strengthening international peace and security and its firm conviction that nuclear disarmament is its top priority, by adhering to achieving the treaty’s inherent goal of eliminating nuclear weapons, which pose the greatest threat on the humans and the environment”.

While Algeria renews – the speaker added – its commitment to implementing the Treaty, which represents the “cornerstone” of the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament system and an “essential element” in the collective security system, it stresses “the importance of achieving the universality of the Treaty and the necessity of respecting states, especially those that have Nuclear weapons in light of their special responsibilities, obligations and commitments in the field of nuclear disarmament (…)”.

The diplomat stated that Algeria “rushed” to sign the NPT and “welcomed” its entry into force in 2021, “believing that the only guarantee to avoid the dangers of nuclear weapons and their spread is the complete and final elimination, and taking into account the dire effects of the nuclear tests that were conducted on its territories, both on the humanitarian and environmental levels.”

Bladehane pointed out that Algeria reaffirms “the inherent and inalienable right of States Parties to develop, research and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, as clearly stated in Article 4 of the Treaty,” and “the sovereign right of states to develop their national capabilities to produce nuclear energy within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in a manner consistent with the provisions of the treaty,” stressing “the necessity of lifting restrictions on the transfer of expertise and technologies to developing countries.”

He also noted that Algeria, in its geographical context, has always contributed to the establishment of the nuclear-weapon-free zone in Africa and was one of the first African countries to ratify the “Pelindaba” Treaty establishing this zone.

The Algerian delegation expressed its concerns about the obstacles that have prevented and continue to prevent the implementation of the 1995 resolution to establish a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, asserting that the establishment of this zone has become “of utmost importance today and more than ever before, especially after the reckless statements and dangerous threats” made by a Zionist official, in November 2023, to use nuclear weapons against Palestinian civilians.

The Algerian delegation reaffirmed that “Middle East Resolution 1995 is still in effect until it achieves its goals” and that the first step to achieving its goals is the Zionist entity’s accession to the NPT and subjecting all its nuclear facilities and programs to international control and the comprehensive safeguards system of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

In this context, the Algerian delegation welcomed the decision adopted by the United Nations General Assembly aimed at negotiating, within the framework of an annual conference under the auspices of the United Nations, a binding treaty that would establish a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, following the pledge approved by the States Parties during the 1995 Review Conference, stressing Algeria’s call to the countries sponsoring the 1995 resolution to “the necessity of fulfilling their commitment to establishing this zone by participating in the ongoing negotiating process under the auspices of the United Nations, seriously and in good faith.”