Mr. Chair,

Allow me to congratulate you on your election, as well as the members of the Bureau, and wish you every success in guiding our work.

Albania aligns with the statement delivered by the European Union and would like to add a few remarks in its national capacity.

We meet at a time of profound strain for international peace and security. Conflicts are multiplying, often accompanied by serious violations of international law and international humanitarian law. Geopolitical tensions are increasing; military capabilities are expanding and confidence between States is declining. The multilateral institutions and rules established to preserve peace are under growing pressure.

Albania remains firmly committed to multilateralism, the UN Charter and international law. We must preserve and implement the existing disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation framework, while adapting it to new and emerging security challenges. Rebuilding trust, strengthening dialogue and translating our commitments into practical action must remain at the heart of our efforts.

Mr. Chair,

Russia’s continued war of aggression against Ukraine remains a grave threat to international peace and security. Albania condemns the aggression and Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and threats. The occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant also continues to pose serious risks to nuclear safety and security of Europe and beyond.

Albania remains committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and supports genuine diplomatic efforts towards a just and lasting peace consistent with the UN Charter.

We are equally concerned by the broader regional escalation in the Middle East, which  also carries serious non-proliferation risks. Iran must not acquire a nuclear weapon and should fully meet its safeguards obligations and cooperate with the IAEA. We support diplomatic efforts towards a comprehensive and verifiable resolution of concerns surrounding Iran’s nuclear program.

The DPRK must also abandon its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions.

Mr. Chair,

The NPT remains the foundation of international nuclear non-proliferation and an essential framework for pursuing nuclear disarmament. While we regret the absence of consensus at the 2026 Review Conference, this does not diminish the Treaty or the obligations of its States Parties. Progress towards implementing Article VI remains essential.

On the thirtieth anniversary of the CTBT, Albania calls for its universalization and entry into force, particularly through ratification by the remaining States. We also support the early launch and conclusion of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty.

Albania reaffirms its support for the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, as well as for preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-State actors. We also support the Arms Trade Treaty and international efforts to curb the illicit trafficking and diversion of small arms and light weapons.

Mr. Chair,

New technologies are rapidly reshaping the security environment. Albania supports continued work within the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons towards addressing lethal autonomous weapons systems and responsible approaches to artificial intelligence in military applications. We must ensure that technological innovation does not outpace our ability to govern its risks, and that human responsibility and international law remain central. We also support maintaining outer space as a secure, stable and sustainable domain, in full respect of international law.

Cybersecurity is an increasingly important component of international peace and security. Albania has experienced serious cyberattacks against governmental infrastructure and public services and therefore attaches particular importance to international cooperation and national resilience.

In this context, Albania has taken concrete steps to strengthen international cooperation. On the margins of this year’s High-Level Week of the United Nations General Assembly, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Ferit Hoxha signed, on behalf of Albania, the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime. This step reflects Albania’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation in addressing cybercrime and protecting citizens, businesses and public institutions from an increasingly complex threat landscape.

We continue to face sophisticated and persistent malicious cyber activities, including operations associated with Advanced Persistent Threat groups and state-sponsored actors. These activities increasingly affect government institutions, critical infrastructure, essential services and citizens alike.

Albania welcomes the Global Mechanism on ICTs and supports efforts to advance responsible State behavior in cyberspace. Capacity-building must remain central to these efforts, enabling States to strengthen their technical, institutional and human capacities to prevent and respond to cyber threats.

Finally, Albania remains committed to the meaningful and safe participation of women and youth in peace and security processes. Their perspectives and contributions are essential to building sustainable peace and addressing emerging security challenges.

At this critical moment, effective multilateralism requires both ambition and pragmatism. Albania will continue working with all partners to uphold international law, rebuild trust, strengthen multilateral institutions and translate our commitments into practical progress towards a safer and more peaceful world.

I thank you, Mr. Chair.