Cabinet Papers:
Mister President,
France aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union. As France assumes the chairmanship of the G7 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction (GP) in 2026, it wishes deliver this statement on behalf of its 31 members.
Since its creation in 2002 at the initiative of Canada, the G7 Global Partnership has established itself as an indispensable tool in the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and CBRN threats. After playing a central role in the efforts that led to the dismantling of the former Soviet Union’s programs in the 2000s, the PMG7’s leadership and action proved crucial for dismantling Libya’s programs between 2004 and 2016, as well as for the destruction of chemical weapons declared by Bashar Al-Assad’s Syrian regime in 2013–2015. These major achievements demonstrate the GP’s contribution to international security.
Today, the Partnership plays an unparalleled role as a platform for implementing concrete projects, mobilizing a truly international cooperation network that brings together member states, partners, specialized international organizations such as the IAEA and the OPCW, and project implementers such as the UNODA, INTERPOL, the European Union, and many others.
The GP adapts its actions to the international context. While continuing to respond to persistent challenges, such as anticipating and countering biological threats in Africa through its flagship initiative SIMBA, the GP’s has launched new initiatives designed to respond to current crises – most notably through the Ukraine CBRN Information Sharing Initiative, which coordinates assistance in response to CBRN threats in Ukraine; and to address emerging challenges, for instance through the Impact WMD initiative, which aims to anticipate and counter threats related to emerging technologies, as well as to harness these technologies in the fight against proliferation; or through the Countering WMD Disinformation Initiative.
Mister President,
The volume of projects funded since the GP was launched is 25bn USD. Our cooperation efforts remain strong: in 2025, 344 projects, totaling $3.13 billion, were implemented in 158 countries thanks to the 31 members of the PMG7 and their partners. Two thirds of these funds benefit emerging and developing countries.
International cooperation is an essential element in the fight against proliferation. For this reason, the GP member countries reaffirm their desire to establish a mechanism for international cooperation and assistance, adequately funded —which is currently lacking in the biological field—under the auspices of the BWC.
Without cooperation, there can be no collective security. That is why the GP countries call on all States to join us in the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Thank you.