Australia EoV L4

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

Explanation of Vote

Draft resolution L.4

Missiles

Australian delegation

Regrettably, Australia has abstained on the resolution entitled "missiles." Australia is a strong and active supporter of ballistic missile non-proliferation efforts. Ballistic missiles are the prime delivery vehicle for weapons of mass destruction and their proliferation has a deeply destabilising impact on regional and global security. Yet this resolution, in our view, does not highlight the importance of ballistic missile proliferation to international security.

We are also concerned that the resolution continues to exclude a reference to the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation. The HCOC was launched on 25 November 2002 in the Hague and now enjoys the subscription of 109 states. The development of the HCOC is a notable step forward in international missile non-proliferation efforts, and is complementary of other efforts in this regard. The HCOC is an inclusive process open to all states which aims at promoting transparency between States. The first meeting of subscribing states was held in October 2003 at the United Nations in New York.

Missile issues demand appropriate attention and a concerted response from the international community, including through the United Nations. Australia encourages the Panel of Governmental Experts created by this resolution to address missile issues, including proliferation, in a constructive way. Australia remains willing to support these efforts.