On February 23, in Geneva, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan participated in the high-level segment of the Conference on Disarmament and delivered a speech. The full speech is presented below.
“Dear President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honor for me to address the high-level segment of the Conference on Disarmament, as an observer State. The historic significance of the Conference on Disarmament and its pivotal role in strengthening international peace and security are undeniable. However, against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions, the Conference must demonstrate renewed political will and overcome long-standing procedural deadlocks to advance the broader goals of global disarmament and security.
The year 2026 will be crucial, as our states will come together for the 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Armenia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the Treaty. It emphasizes the need for a balanced, comprehensive implementation of its three pillars: non-proliferation, disarmament, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The upcoming review process provides a unique opportunity for the international community to reaffirm its shared commitment to the objectives and principles of the Treaty.
In this context, the safe and secure use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes remains a priority of Armenia’s state policy. The Government of Armenia has adopted a policy of maintaining nuclear energy as a key component of the country’s electricity system. While the operational life of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant has been extended to 2036, we are exploring options for a smooth, safe transition to a new nuclear power unit. In this regard, Armenia is currently thoroughly evaluating available technological options for Small Modular Reactors and is considering proposals submitted by international partners. The selection process is based on our commitment to reliability, long-term stability, and the highest standards of nuclear safety, security, and non-proliferation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Arms control regimes can be effective only when implemented in good faith and grounded in fundamental principles, including transparency, verifiability, proportionality, and deterrence. These principles are indispensable for maintaining predictability and preventing a destabilizing arms race.
Following the breakthrough in Washington on August 8 last year, with the signing of the Joint Declaration by the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Azerbaijan, witnessed by the President of the United States, a new chapter in peace, prosperity, and regional cooperation has been opened in the South Caucasus. The current conditions offer a real opportunity to develop connectivity, trade, and confidence-building measures between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which can play a significant role in consolidating peace, deepening mutual trust, and promoting regional cooperation.
Dear Colleagues,
The rapid advances in artificial intelligence are transforming many aspects of modern life, including the military. While technological innovation offers new opportunities, it also raises profound ethical, legal, and security challenges, especially when used in warfare.
International humanitarian law applies fully and without exception to all weapons, including those that incorporate artificial intelligence and autonomous functions. In the case of lethal autonomous military systems, where compliance with the fundamental principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution cannot be reliably ensured, appropriate regulatory measures, including limitations, are necessary.
Ensuring meaningful human oversight during the development, deployment, and use of military artificial intelligence systems is vital. Decisions on the use of force, as well as responsibility and accountability for their consequences, must remain firmly in human hands and cannot be delegated to machines. Armenia emphasizes that human judgment remains indispensable to ensure legal, responsible, and ethical conduct during armed conflicts.
Armenia places particular emphasis on the States’ responsibility in international transfers of conventional arms. Arms should not be transferred where there is a risk that they could be used to commit or contribute to violations of international humanitarian law or international human rights law, or to harm the civilian population intentionally. Armenia emphasizes the importance of thorough, evidence-based risk assessments in decisions on arms transfers, with a view to ensuring that arms do not contribute to further instability or incite violence beyond State control.
Despite today’s complex and uncertain environment, we can work together to address disarmament and non-proliferation issues in a balanced, equitable, and sustainable manner.
Thank you.”
