Safe and secure use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes remains  priority of Armenia`s national policy

ArmInfo. On February 23, in Geneva, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan participated and delivered remarks at the high-level segment of the Conference on Disarmament. The full speech is presented below. 

"Honorable Chair, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honor to address the High-Level Segment of the Conference on  Disarmament in our capacity as an observer state. The historic  significance of the Conference on Disarmament and its vital role in  reinforcing international peace and security are undeniable. Yet  against the backdrop of continued geopolitical tensions, the  Conference must demonstrate renewed political will and overcome  longstanding procedural deadlocks in order to advance global  disarmament and broader security objectives.  2026 will be pivotal,  as our nations convene for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the  Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Armenia reaffirms  its steadfast commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the  treaty and underscores the necessity of the balanced and full  implementation of its three pillars - non-proliferation, disarmament  and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We consider that the  upcoming Review provides a unique opportunity for the international  community to once again express its common commitment to the purposes  and principles of the Treaty.

In this vein, the safe and secure use of nuclear energy for peaceful  purposes remains a priority of Armenia's national policy. The  Government of Armenia has adopted a policy of maintaining nuclear  energy as a key component of the country's electricity mix. As the  operational lifetime of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant has been  extended till 2036, we are now exploring a smooth and secure  transition toward a new nuclear power unit. In this regard, Armenia  is currently carefully examining available technological options of  Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and assessing proposals from  international partners. The selection process is guided by  reliability, long-term sustainability and our commitment to the  highest standards of nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Arms control regimes can only be effective when they are implemented  in good faith, guided by fundamental principles, including  transparency, verifiability, sufficiency, and restraint. These  principles are indispensable for maintaining predictability and  preventing destabilizing arms races.

Following the breakthrough achieved on 8 of August last year in  Washington, DC, with the signing of the Joint Declaration by  Armenia's Prime Minister, Azerbaijan's President and the United  States President as a witness, a new chapter of peace, prosperity and  regional cooperation has opened in the South Caucasus. The present  circumstances offer a genuine opportunity to advance  interconnectivity, trade and confidence-building measures between  Armenia and Azerbaijan, which can play a meaningful role in  consolidating peace, enhancing trust, and promoting regional  cooperation.  Dear colleagues,

Rapid advances in artificial intelligence are transforming many  aspects of contemporary life, including the military domain. While  technological innovation offers new capabilities, it also introduces  profound ethical, legal, and security challenges, particularly when  applied to the conduct of hostilities.

International humanitarian law applies fully and without exception to  all weapon systems, including those incorporating artificial  intelligence and autonomous functions. With regard to Lethal  Autonomous Weapon Systems, where compliance with the core principles  of distinction, proportionality and precaution cannot be reliably  ensured, appropriate regulatory measures, including restrictions, are  required.

Ensuring meaningful human control in the development, deployment, and  use of military AI systems is therefore of critical importance.  Decisions related to the use of force, as well as responsibility and  accountability for their consequences, must remain firmly with humans  and cannot be delegated to machines. Armenia emphasizes that human  judgment remains indispensable for lawful, responsible, and ethical  conduct in armed conflict.  Armenia places strong emphasis on the  responsibility of states in the international transfer of  conventional arms. Weapons must not be supplied where there is a risk  that they could be used to commit or facilitate violations of  international humanitarian law or international human rights law, or  to cause harm to civilians in a deliberate manner.  Armenia  underscores the importance of thorough, evidence-based risk  assessments in arms transfer decisions, with a view to ensuring that  weapons do not end up reinforcing instability or fueling violence  beyond state control.  We strongly believe that despite today's  complex and uncertain environment, we can work together to address  the issues of disarmament and non-proliferation in a balanced,  equitable and sustainable manner.

I thank you."