On 16 – 19 August 2016, the third session of Open-Ended Working Group on taking forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations (OEWG) was convened and chaired by H.E. Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva. The OEWG was successfully concluded with the adoption of the report, which recommended the United Nations General Assembly to convene a conference in 2017 to negotiate a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination. The report was endorsed by a clear majority of member states, with 68 votes in favor, 22 votes against and 13 abstentions. Such outcome was considered a significant historical breakthrough in the past 7 decades and the most significant contribution to nuclear disarmament since the United Nations General Assembly adopted its first resolution on this matter in 1946.

          The OEWG was mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to substantively address concrete effective legal measures to attain and maintain a world without nuclear weapons, as well as recommendations on other measures that could contribute to taking forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations, including but not limited to: transparency measures related to the risks associated with existing nuclear weapons, measures to reduce and eliminate the risk of nuclear weapon detonations as well as additional measures to increase awareness and understanding of the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons. The Working Group’s final report will be presented to 71^st Session of the United Nation General Assembly in October 2016.

          Thailand reaffirms her position to not possess, develop nor acquire nuclear weapons. However, any nuclear weapon tests or detonations that occur, accidentally or intentionally, can have a serious impact, directly and indirectly, on human beings and the environment. Not only are there wide range and long-term humanitarian consequences, nuclear weapons also pose the most dangerous threat to global peace and security if they fall into the wrong hands. Thus, Thailand firmly believes that the OEWG has made a significant contribution to safeguarding national security and enhancing international peace and security. Thailand will continue our active and constructive role in taking forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations for the benefit of humankind. This is in line with and supportive of the policy of the Royal Thai Government in combating threats in all its forms.