Statement during the General Debate of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly First Committee, 2017:

“Second, Secretary-General Guterres has called for disarmament that saves lives. This means focusing on measures that mitigate the impact of armed conflict on civilians, enhance public safety and security, and prevent the outbreak of war in the first instance. The devastating toll caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas has been well documented. This is why the effort to seek a political commitment is an important step, which should be brought to fruition. Expert-level discussions could also build on existing efforts and explore how to translate general principles into concrete measures. In many countries, attacks using improvised explosives now kill and injure civilians and combatants more than any other type of weapon. Effectively dealing with this growing threat requires a comprehensive approach, at both the national level and across the United Nations system.”