Establishing nuclear-weapon-free zone in Middle East enhances security: Oman

Geneva: The Sultanate of Oman has said that the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone (NWFZ) in the Middle East constitutes an urgent necessity towards the realization of security and stability, noting that a NWFZ in the Middle East would bring about political, geopolitical, economic and humanitarian benefits to the Middle East and the world at large.

Oman also underlined the importance of an NWFZ in augmenting chances for further regional and international cooperation, building confidence and generating opportunities for investment in civil nuclear technology, while at the same time reducing military spending and creating a more stable political landscape.

A statement to this effect was delivered in by Dr. Salim Issa Al Ma’ashani, Director of the Disarmament and Arms Control Affairs Office at the Foreign Ministry. Al Ma’ashani delivered the statement during the meeting of the Second Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) being convened in Geneva from 22 July to 2 August 2024 at the United Nations premises.

In this context, Oman called on Depositary States and Sponsoring States of the 1995 Resolution to meet their obligations.

“Oman regrets the fact that two depositary states of the treaty (sponsors of the 1995 resolution) obstructed the 2015 conference in favour of Israel, preventing the conference from producing a final document. This action represents disregard for the non-proliferation system, since Israel is not a party to the treaty and its nuclear programme remains ambiguous and lacks transparency. It constitutes a blatant disregard for efforts aimed at limiting the use of weapons, and this represents a serious violation of the purposes of the international disarmament system and a breach of international law that should be denounced by the international community,” Al Ma’ashani said.

Oman also called upon the global community to exert immediate and sufficient pressure to compel Israel to implement Security Council Resolution No. 487 of 1981. The resolution requires Israel to submit its nuclear facilities to the Comprehensive Safeguards System of the International Atomic Energy Agency (without pre-conditions or negotiations) and join the NPT as a non-nuclear state. The international resolution also stipulates punishment for such irresponsible threats, Oman stressed.

Oman called on the participants in the 2026 Review Conference and its Preparatory Committee to support the implementation of the 1995 resolution on the Middle East and to come up with clear-cut results and acknowledge the progress made in this regard.