The U.S. Representative to the UN, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, gave a speech on March 18, 2024, at a UN Security Council meeting amid rising tensions and growing fears over nuclear proliferation.
Her remarks were on the urgent need for international cooperation to advance nuclear disarmament efforts.
Thomas-Greenfield referenced President John F. Kennedy’s renowned speech at American University in 1963, stating the shared responsibility of all nations to ensure global peace and security. However, she noted the strains on the existing nuclear non-proliferation framework, citing specific concerns regarding Iran, Russia, China, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Thomas-Greenfield expressed particular apprehension regarding Iran’s nuclear program expansion and Russia’s recent provocative rhetoric amidst the Ukraine conflict. She also raised alarms about China’s opaque nuclear weapon build-up and urged for substantive discussions on arms control and risk reduction.
In addressing the DPRK’s persistent defiance of Security Council resolutions through missile tests, Thomas-Greenfield stressed on the importance of supporting independent experts and extending mandates like that of the 1718 Committee.
The ambassador stressed the need of adapting to new challenges, including the role of artificial intelligence in nuclear security. She proposed concrete steps, such as compliance with existing arms control obligations, moratorium on nuclear testing, and negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty.
Announcing the U.S.’s commitment to Japan’s Friends of the FMCT Coalition, Thomas-Greenfield called for transparency among nuclear weapon states and inclusive participation in non-proliferation discussions, including women.
In addition, she spoke out against the militarization of space, supporting ratification of the Outer Space Treaty and collaborating with Japan to draft a Security Council resolution opposing the stationing of nuclear weapons in orbit.
