Statement: First Committee - General Debate

Statement by Ms. Ólöf Hrefna Kristjánsdóttir, 
Director for Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation,
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland
United Nations General Assembly, 81st Session,
First Committee, 4th Plenary Meeting, General Debate
8 October 2026

Chair,

Iceland refers to the statement delivered by Finland on behalf of the Nordic countries.  I would like to use this opportunity to make a few additional remarks in my national capacity.

Chair,

Effective multilateral cooperation remains our most powerful tool for addressing shared security challenges and for preventing the further deterioration of the international security environment. A rules-based international order is essential for maintaining peace, stability, and predictability in international relations.

Many of the challenges we face today stem from flagrant violations of the UN Charter, of international humanitarian law, and the disregarding of longstanding norms relating to arms control, non-proliferation, and nuclear safety and security. Such violations erode trust, weaken international institutions, and increase the risk of escalation and conflict.

Iceland once again condemns Russia´s war of aggression against Ukraine that violates the most fundamental principles of international law. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Russia must immediately cease its war of aggression and withdraw all its troops from the territory of Ukraine.

The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza underscores the urgent need to uphold international law, protect civilians, and ensure accountability. Lasting security can only be achieved through dialogue and a political process that addresses the root causes of the conflict. We continue to support a two-state solution.

Chair,

Iran must return to full compliance with its safeguards obligations and must never acquire nuclear weapons. The DPRK must abandon its nuclear, missile, and other WMD programmes and cannot be recognized as a nuclear-weapon State under the NPT.

The NPT remains the foundation of the global non-proliferation and disarmament framework, and we remain fully committed to all three pillars of the Treaty. We regret that recent Review Conferences have been unable to agree on consensus outcomes.

The IAEA plays an indispensable role in verifying compliance, and we strongly support its mandate. We also continue to support the CTBT and call on all remaining States to ratify it. At the same time, we regret the ongoing deadlock in the Conference on Disarmament, which continues to block negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty.

Chair,

Emerging technologies are rapidly reshaping the security landscape. Artificial intelligence offers significant opportunities, but it also presents serious risks. The development of AI-enabled weapons systems raises important legal, ethical, and security concerns. Their use must remain subject to meaningful human control and be fully consistent with international law.

In this regard, we welcome the consensus reached in the CCW Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems on a set of elements of an instrument, without prejudging its nature, as well as other possible measures. We look forward to the upcoming Review Conference and to continued constructive engagement by all States Parties to advance this work within the CCW framework.

Chair,

Iceland reaffirms its commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda. The meaningful participation of women and the integration of gender perspectives across disarmament, arms control, and non-proliferation efforts are essential to achieving more effective, inclusive, and sustainable security outcomes.

The challenges before us are significant, but the foundations for addressing them already exist. What is needed now is renewed political commitment to multilateralism, international law, transparency, verification, and cooperation. By strengthening the institutions, norms, and agreements that underpin international security, we can help build a safer, more stable, and more secure world for all.