On 19-21 October 2017, Ambassador Mahmoud Karem, member of the Council, participated in the work of the Moscow Conference on Nuclear Non-Proliferation, in a broad international participation of more than 300 experts and international officials from more than 44 countries, including a delegation from North Korea and a large delegation from Iran.

It was clear during the discussions that the nuclear states were deeply concerned about the other way to conclude a nuclear arms treaty, which is opposed by the nuclear states and some non-nuclear states that protect the nuclear umbrella and allow the stationing of nuclear weapons on their territories based on agreements emanating from the NATO.

Everyone is concerned about the impact of this track on the NPT and concern about growing international support for this process, and about the threat of withdrawal from the NPT, whose sixth article has not made any tangible progress.

Some stressed on the importance of Russia’s next role in bringing together views, especially in proposing a way out for the Middle East (declaring the Middle East a nuclear-weapon-free zone).

Ambassador Mahmoud Karem, member of the Council, commented on the remarks made by Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, the new representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations. He highlighted the Arab concern about the lack of progress in convening a conference on the Middle East, stressing the need for Ms. Izumi, and her administration, in cooperation with the UN Secretary-General, to assume responsibility and play an active role beyond the role of the “former facilitator”, and stresses that it is difficult to reproduce the same precedent, which led to this failure to be held within an agreed time frame in the midst of a constructive role for the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

In this context, Ms. Izumi explained her understanding of Ambassador Karem’s assertion that she will start consultations with several countries, including Egypt, to guide the opinions and define the new international role required. She said that they do not want the Middle East to be stuck in the coffin of a process. ‘The dialogue’ between the parties is important, but they have recently noticed the division of the Arab position in New York and its inability to speak with one voice.

Ambassador Karem delivered a speech at the 4th session, during which he reviewed the most important challenges that hinder the efforts of nuclear disarmament from the Middle East region and make it a free zone. He stressed that the first of these challenges is the absence of a clear plan of action with a time frame agreed upon by all parties This is in addition to the lack of political will, as well as the clash of defense and security doctrines among the regional parties in the Middle East, including examples of delays in regional cooperation, especially on the issue of nuclear disarmament, on the pretext of threats from non-state actors from Iran, the policies of regional hegemony, and its attempts to export revolutions to neighboring countries. He pointed out that despite these threats; Israel’s involvement with some of its regional neighbors on these threats makes it a successful platform for regional cooperation, including negotiations on nuclear weapons.