Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield addressed the United Nations Security Council, emphasizing the importance of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The meeting was convened by Japan and included remarks from the Secretary-General and other briefers.
Reflecting on President John F. Kennedy's "A Strategy of Peace" speech delivered 60 years ago, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield highlighted enduring commitments to nuclear non-proliferation. She noted that despite these efforts, the global framework is under strain due to actions by countries such as Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea.
"Iran has continued expanding segments of its nuclear program without any credible civilian justification," she stated. Additionally, she criticized Russia for invoking "dangerous nuclear rhetoric" following its invasion of Ukraine and noted China's rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal.
Thomas-Greenfield urged support for extending the mandate of the 1718 Committee’s Panel of Experts on North Korea's weapons development. She stressed that "silencing independent and objective experts will not change the reality" of North Korea's actions.
Addressing new challenges like artificial intelligence in the context of nuclear proliferation, she called for reaffirming commitments to a world without nuclear weapons. "The United States is willing to engage in bilateral arms control discussions with Russia and China right now," she said.
She announced that the U.S. has joined Japan's Friends of the FMCT Coalition aimed at adopting a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty. Emphasizing transparency among nuclear states, she encouraged leveraging technology positively while minimizing harmful effects.
In space-related matters, Thomas-Greenfield warned against placing nuclear weapons in orbit around Earth. Together with Japan, she proposed a Security Council resolution reinforcing obligations under the Outer Space Treaty.
Concluding her remarks, she invoked Kennedy's vision for peace: “Confident and unafraid, we labor on... toward a strategy of peace.”