It is a pleasure for me to be here with you today and I would like to thank Prime Minister Kishida for organizing this launch event. I want to express my gratitude for your active engagement and commitment to give new impetus to nuclear disarmament discussions.
Italy welcomes the launch of the Group of Friends banning the production of fissile material would be a first concrete step towards fulfilling obligations under Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Too many years have passed since the first debates on this issue began, however without any concrete result. It is for this reason that we commend Japan’s efforts to revitalise negotiations on the Fissile Material and Cut-Off Treaty and we strongly support the need to keep the momentum on these discussions.
There are many reasons why the FMCT would contribute to a safer and more predictable world.
First, banning the production of fissile material would reduce risks for international security, by contributing to non-proliferation efforts and reducing arms race.
Second, the Treaty would increase transparency and trust among member States producing positive effects on bilateral and multilateral relations.
Third, the FMCT is complementary to other parallel treaties and initiatives on nuclear disarmament, including the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
By assuming the Presidency of the Conference on Disarmament in January 2025, Italy is more committed than ever to achieving progress in this essential field and looks forward to starting negotiations on the FMCT Treaty.
In the meantime, we commend the adoption of voluntary moratoria on the production of fissile material for military goals by four of the five nuclear-weapon States.
To conclude, this is a great opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to achieving global nuclear disarmament and we cannot let it slip away. Excellencies, rest assured of Italy’s full support and engagement. Thank you very much.
