Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Thank you, President.
New Zealand would like to make brief remarks on three issues: autonomous weapons systems, incendiary weapons, and mines other than anti-personnel mines.
On autonomous weapons systems, New Zealand considers the Seventh Review Conference an important crossroads for advancing multilateral efforts to address the legal, ethical, security, technological, and humanitarian challenges that these weapons pose. The international community has discussed this issue for more than a decade, and we can see the development and use of autonomous weapons accelerating. It is now high time to move from deliberation towards the negotiation of an effective, binding regulatory framework on autonomous weapon systems.
We were encouraged by the Group’s discussions during the last expert session under the current mandate and thank the Chair for his leadership in facilitating those exchanges over the past three years and guiding us to a consensus outcome. It is important that we build on the foundations that the agreed set of elements have established and ensure that the outcome of the Review Conference moves us forward in a meaningful way toward specific rules on LAWS, in view of their characteristics and the challenges they pose for ensuring IHL can be upheld.
Turning to incendiary weapons, New Zealand continues to regard Protocol III as an important component of the Convention. We remain concerned that dedicated discussions on this issue have been stymied in recent years, despite evidence of their use in conflicts. Given the ongoing reports of use of incendiary weapons and the devastating effects these weapons can have on civilians and civilian objects, we believe there is a clear case for sustained attention to the implementation and universalisation of Protocol III.
New Zealand condemns any use of incendiary weapons against civilians or civilian objects, and any use inconsistent with international humanitarian law, including the obligations contained in Protocol III. We strongly support efforts to promote universal adherence to the Protocol and its full implementation. As we prepare for the Seventh Review Conference, we encourage States Parties to consider how the Convention can better address the humanitarian concerns associated with these weapons and reaffirm our collective commitment to the objectives of Protocol III.
Mines other than anti-personnel mines continue to have significant humanitarian consequences, including civilian casualties, and causing restrictions on freedom of movement and impeding humanitarian access, recovery, and reconstruction efforts in various conflict and post-conflict environments.
We recognise that States hold differing views regarding the military utility of these type of mines. At the same time, the continuing humanitarian impact of these weapons demonstrates the importance of sustained consideration within the CCW framework. New Zealand believes there is value in exploring practical ways to reduce the risks posed to civilians while taking account of legitimate security and military considerations – unfinished business from two decades ago when the CCW last considered proposals for a protocol. We therefore support continued dialogue on measures that can mitigate humanitarian harm and improve responsible practice in the use of these weapons.
Finally, New Zealand looks forward to working constructively with all High Contracting Parties throughout the preparatory process and at the Seventh Review Conference itself. Ensuring that the Convention remains relevant and responsive to contemporary challenges is a shared responsibility. We stand ready to engage pragmatically and constructively in that effort.
Thank you.