Nuclear Suppliers Group Plenary

Madame Chair, Distinguished delegates

Thank you very much for inviting me to open this important meeting.  Last night I had the pleasure of welcoming you to Christchurch and to our country.  This morning it is my privilege to open the annual Nuclear Suppliers Group Plenary meeting.

At the outset let me thank Hungary for all that it has done as chair of the NSG over the past year, and the unstinting support that it has provided as New Zealand prepared to take over the position as NSG Chair for 2010/2011 and for this meeting in particular.  We look forward to continuing to work closely with Hungary as part of the Troika in the year ahead. 

And we thank Germany as you complete a very effective three years as part of the Troika, and welcome the Netherlands as the newest member of the team.  We look forward to working with you in the coming years.

Distinguished delegates

New Zealanders feel passionately about nuclear disarmament and arms control.  These convictions led to the passage of our nuclear weapons free legislation in 1987.  And they have formed the basis of our engagement with multilateral disarmament processes ever since.

I think I am one of the very few - if not the only - Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control in the world.  I take pride in that.

Distinguished delegates

Last month I participated in the opening week of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. 

The issues at the heart of that Treaty are of a global nature.  We are all impacted by nuclear weapons.  We would all suffer the catastrophic effects of nuclear war.  We are witnessing very worrying episodes of nuclear proliferation and a growth in the risk of nuclear terrorism.

The success of the Review Conference was hugely important.  Another failure, coming on the heels of the 2005 Review Conference, would have been a major setback not only for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation but also, I would suggest, for the entire multilateral system.

The fact that the RevCon was able to achieve consensus on a forward-looking action plan covering all three pillars of the Treaty was therefore all the more significant.

Of course no participating state achieved all its objectives.  For New Zealand's part we had defined success as a balanced outcome across the three pillars of the Treaty and on progressing implementation of the 1995 Resolution on the Middle East.

That was achieved, and we have for the first time an extensive action plan.  The outcome was not as strong in some areas as New Zealand had hoped.  That includes in respect of pillar two, and indeed export controls.  But it was a solid outcome that can take us forward.  It provides a good platform for us to build on.

I think we are still analysing and assimilating the action plan agreed in New York.  But what is very clear is that the hard work is really just beginning.  We have to implement the 64 steps we agreed.  Words have to be translated into actions.

This makes the work we are doing here in Christchurch all the more significant.

I just want to highlight a couple of NPT outcomes of real importance for us here in the NSG.  The call in the action plan for all NPT states to ensure that their nuclear-related exports do not directly or indirectly contribute to the development of nuclear weapons is of real significance, as is the encouragement for all states to make use of multilaterally negotiated and agreed guidelines and understandings in developing their own national export controls.  These are important steps which we in the NSG need to build on.  They can be a focus for our outreach programme, and for our efforts more generally.

Distinguished delegates

We have heard a lot in recent times about a "nuclear renaissance" - a renewed expansion of nuclear power around the world.  It is a debate that is sometimes controversial, but wherever we stand on it, we do insist that the development and use of nuclear energy should take place in the best possible safety, security, waste management and non-proliferation conditions.  We do not think that is too much to ask.  And that is where the NSG plays such an important role. 

Distinguished delegates

Effective and transparent export controls are a practical contribution to nuclear non-proliferation.

They and other international partnerships play an essential role in preventing the possible misuse of nuclear-related exports for developing nuclear weapons or explosive devices.  They are an important tool to combat nuclear terrorism.  And they are central to cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. 

As we look to the future, in the context of a decline in the numbers of nuclear weapons but a greater reliance on nuclear energy, the importance of an effective non-proliferation regime will only increase.  Progress towards a world free of nuclear weapons will be dependent on robust controls to prevent the diversion of nuclear materials for military uses.

Distinguished delegates

The Nuclear Suppliers Group has made a very valuable contribution to this vitally important work.  It must continue to do so.  That means fostering and strengthening the spirit of collaboration that exists not only among the countries represented in this room, but also with our partners beyond. 

Distinguished delegates

As we assume the Chair today, I can assure you of the New Zealand Government's continuing strong support for the NSG and its endeavours.

I have been briefed on the full schedule of meetings that have already taken place this week.  I know that you have a busy agenda for the Plenary session you are about to embark on.  I would like to wish you every success with it.