FM Sugiono at Geneva: Indonesia Calls for Global Nuclear Disarmament Action

Jakartaweekly.com— Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono delivered a national statement at the High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday (Feb 23). The Minister emphasized that disarmament remains a critical pillar for global peace and security, while expressing grave concern that the global disarmament agenda is not only stagnating but regressing.

Minister Sugiono noted that an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape has placed immense pressure on multilateralism and international law, heightening the risk of escalation. He specifically pointed to the expiration of the New START Treaty—which leaves the world’s two largest nuclear powers without a binding control framework—as a factor that weakens global arms control architecture and amplifies strategic uncertainty.

“In this situation, the risk of miscalculation is rising significantly,” Minister Sugiono stated.

Addressing the Non-Proliferation Imbalance

In his speech, the Foreign Minister highlighted the urgent need to address the imbalance between non-proliferation obligations and the slow progress of actual disarmament.

“Nuclear disarmament often appears optional, even as non-nuclear-weapon states face rigorous pressure regarding proliferation,” the Minister remarked.

To address this, Minister Sugiono called for strengthened political commitment and substantive progress to restore the credibility of the Conference on Disarmament as the world’s premier negotiating forum. “True security is built on mutual trust and dialogue,” he added.

A Call for “Dynamic Resilience”

Concluding his address, the Minister urged the Conference on Disarmament to demonstrate “dynamic resilience.” He stressed that the forum must maintain its integrity and core purpose despite current geopolitical tensions.

“Disarmament is not just a legal obligation, but a moral imperative for a safer and more peaceful future for the world,” the Minister asserted.