Joint Statement by Group 21 of the Conference on Disarmament Concerning Situation in Middle East
Geneva 24 June 2025
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Thank you, Madam President, for giving me the floor.
At the outset, I congratulate you for assuming the presidency of the Conference on Disarmament (CD), the single multilateral negotiating body on disarmament and have the honor to deliver the following joint statement on behalf of the Group of 21 (G-21) of the Conference concerning the growing tensions in the Middle East.
The Group of 21 (G-21) strongly condemns the military strike by Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran on June 13, 2025 and series of wide-scale attacks against multiple locations in its territory.
Such acts of aggression targeting civilian infrastructure, including residential areas, as well as research, telecommunications, energy, and transportation facilities, which have resulted in civilian casualties, constitute a grave violation of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law (IHL).
Military attacks against peaceful nuclear facilities subject to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards in violation of IHL, the Statute of the IAEA, and relevant IAEA resolutions, pose serious threat to civilian population and the environment.
Furthermore, the Group condemns Israel’s incursion in the sovereign airspace of the Republic of Iraq in the course of these attacks.
They represent an infringement of the sovereignty of UN member states and constitute a flagrant violation of UN charter, fundamental principles of international law, which lead to erosion of regional and international security, and pose grave risks to peace and stability across the region and beyond.
The Group rejects the escalation of the violence and underscores the importance of promoting de-escalation of the situation through multilateral efforts in the appropriate multilateral bodies.
The Group takes this opportunity to express its deepest condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Group calls on all states to refrain from any actions that could further escalate tensions, and reaffirms its strong support for resolving the issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear program solely through peaceful, political, and diplomatic means.
Thank you.
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