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Qatar has stressed the importance of full and complete implementation of all international conventions and treaties related to the prohibition and disarmament of weapons of mass destruction of all kinds, to maintain the safety of future generations and protect the planet.This came in a statement delivered by Ahmed Abdullah al-Obaidly, a member of the Qatari delegation participating in the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, before the First Committee of the General Assembly during its 80th session, on the item entitled 'Other Weapons of Mass Destruction', at the UN Headquarters in New York.Al-Obaidly explained at the beginning of the statement that the existence and use of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, threatens the security of states and the safety of peoples and violates fundamental human rights, foremost among which is the right to life.He noted that this danger increases with the possibility of non-state actors obtaining these weapons and their means of delivery. He pointed out that Qatar, at the national level, continues to develop and update national legislation related to weapons of mass destruction, in line with its obligations under the international conventions to which it has acceded.He explained that Qatar co-operates closely with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and is working to strengthen its role in supporting the implementation of the convention. He added that Qatar is currently hosting the 12th Annual Meeting of Representatives of the Chemical Industry and National Authorities of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, from Oct 21 to 24 in Doha, with the aim of enhancing co-operation between the chemical industry and national authorities to support the full and effective implementation of the convention.He expressed Qatar's welcome to the adoption by the Executive Council of the OPCW, at its 110th session, of the resolution entitled "The Accelerated Destruction of Any Remaining Chemical Weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic," which was adopted by consensus among Member States.He said that Qatar, as the state representing the interests of Syria within the OPCW, had submitted the draft resolution to the Executive Council in support of the international community's efforts to eliminate any remnants of chemical weapons and promote constructive cooperation between States Parties and the OPCW.The resolution was co-sponsored by more than 50 countries. The statement indicated that Qatar, in support of regional efforts to exchange knowledge and raise awareness of the importance of disarmament, organized and hosted three sessions of the Arab Forum on Arms Control, Disarmament, and Non-Proliferation, the last of which was held in Doha from June 4 to 6, 2024.Al-Obaidly said that Qatar hosted a regional training course for national focal points on the implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention at the UN House in Doha in 2024, with the aim of enhancing the implementation of the Convention and exchanging information and expertise between national focal points and stakeholders in the Middle East and North Africa.

The State of Qatar has affirmed its commitment to international mechanisms and measures aimed at disarmament, particularly regarding nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, in a bid to promote peace and security at both regional and international levels. This came in the State of Qatar's statement delivered by Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani, during the general debate of the UN General Assembly's First Committee at its 80th session, held at UN headquarters in New York. The Second Secretary of Qatar's Permanent Mission emphasized that the proliferation of conventional weapons and weapons of mass destruction — including nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons — continues to pose a threat to nations and peoples, violating fundamental human rights. He noted that this threat has grown in recent times due to the persistence of armed conflicts in various parts of the world, amid a lack of consensus and effective arrangements to resolve or limit them, including efforts related to conflict prevention and peacebuilding. He stressed that avoiding the negative consequences of armed conflicts requires the international community to intensify efforts to strengthen disarmament strategies at all levels — including for small arms and light weapons. In this regard, he underscored that the effective implementation of agreements on monitoring and tracing these weapons, and combating their illicit trade and trafficking, contributes to curbing their spread and mitigating the intensity of conflicts. He expressed the State of Qatar's condemnation of the Israeli occupation forces' targeting of civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip — including hospitals, schools, and refugee camps — stressing that such attacks have led to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe and the loss of tens of thousands of civilian lives. He warned that these actions pose a serious threat to international peace and security, particularly in the Middle East. The State of Qatar has called for an immediate ceasefire and for the unhindered delivery of humanitarian and relief aid and essential supplies to all those in need throughout Gaza, he said. He also reiterated the State of Qatar's welcome of the United Nations Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction. He expressed support for the Kingdom of Morocco's presidency of the conference's sixth session — due to conclude at the end of November — and voiced hope for full regional cooperation to ensure the success of the conference and its goals of strengthening regional and global peace and security. The Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations emphasized that the State of Qatar attaches great importance to the implementation of treaties and agreements on nuclear non-proliferation, the prohibition of nuclear weapons, and the prevention of their use, testing, or threat of use. He further noted that Qatar is updating its national laws and procedures on disarmament and non-proliferation in line with its international commitments.