KUALA LUMPUR: Asean member states should remain united in the pursuit of a nuclear weapon-free zone in South-East Asia, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The world now faces new dimensions of nuclear war involving advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), cyber-warfare and quantum computing, he added.
“This brings new layers of complexity to the table," he said in his opening remarks at the meeting of the South-East Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) during the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting here on Tuesday (July 8).
"It also raises the potential for escalation, which can be among the most dangerous hallmarks of the world we live in.
“Indeed, the nuclear age and the information age have placed humanity in its most volatile period,” he added.
Mohamad said that while the Cold War ended decades ago, the threat from nuclear weapons is even greater now.
“To compound our worries, current nuclear disarmament methods appear to be struggling to fulfil their purpose.
“Protracted warfare has heightened fears of nuclear escalation with rhetoric from nuclear states threatening to undermine decades of nuclear disarmament efforts,” he said, pointing to escalating tensions in the Middle East and Israel’s unprovoked attack on Iran last month.
“This is a blatant agitation for war and a breach of international laws.
“The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) made two things clear: first, there is no evidence of Iran having a nuclear programme, and second, nuclear facilities must never be attacked regardless of the circumstances, as it could harm both the people and the environment,” he said.
Mohamad also said the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNO-DA) had mentioned that the world is in dangerous and uncharted territory as countries are rearming themselves.
“It has never been more urgent to uphold global disarmament and non-proliferation goals,” he added.
Mohamad said Asean must ensure that the SEANWFZ treaty is a dynamic commitment that contributes to regional and global disarmament efforts.
“We have a responsibility to ensure the treaty remains not just a legal instrument but a living and dynamic commitment that contributes meaningfully to regional and global disarmament,” he said.
Mohamad also said it is “deeply concerning” how South-East Asia remains the only nuclear weapon-free zone that is not yet formally recognised by nuclear-weapon states (NWS) through the signing and ratification of the SEANWFZ Treaty protocol.
“In this regard, we welcome the readiness of NWS to engage with Asean (for) the signing and ratification of the protocol,” he added.
Mohamad pointed out that it is incumbent upon Asean to respond constructively and with urgency to the current situation.
“We must work collectively to create the necessary conditions for the NWS to take these important steps.
“This includes resolving outstanding issues with NWS, in accordance with the principles and objectives of the treaty,” he said.
SEANWFZ, also known as the Bangkok Treaty, was signed in December 1995 in Bangkok by 10 Asean member countries. It came into effect in March 1997.
The protocol of the treaty commits nuclear weapon states to respect SEANWFZ and not contribute to any act that violates the treaty and its protocols; not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against states in the zone; and not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons within the zone.
