The United Nations Security Council held a video conference meeting as its 15 members took up the Secretary-General’s ninth report on the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015) ahead of the scheduled expiration of a UN arms embargo on Iran on 18 October. — VNA/VNS Photo

NEW YORK — Việt Nam affirmed its consistent support for the disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons.

It also pledged support for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal at a meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday (local time).

The meeting discussed the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear programme, over the last six months.

Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, said the JCPOA and Resolution 2231 are important achievements of multilateral diplomacy and dialogue as the JCPOA plays the essential role in the global architecture for non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, as well as in regional and international security.

However, she said the UN regrets that the future of the JCPOA is in doubt, adding it also regrets the US’s withdrawal from the JCPOA, re-imposition of sanctions, and decision not to extend waivers for oil trading with Iran and stop all projects that this deal allows.

These decisions have caused difficulties for Iran and member countries of the UN Security Council in implementing the JCPOA and Resolution 2231.

The UN is also saddened that Iran, in response to the US withdrawal, has moved to reduce its commitments under the JCPOA since July 2019, she said, citing IAEA monitoring results that Iran has surpassed limits stipulated in the JCPOA on uranium enrichment and its stockpiles of heavy water and low-enriched uranium.

The Under-Secretary-General said the adherence to and full implementation of Resolution 2231 and the JCPOA remain the best ways to solve differences among parties in the Iran nuclear issue and ensure regional stability.

At the meeting, an EU representative affirmed that the remaining parties of the JCPOA will continue efforts to maintain this agreement, stressing that the full and effective implementation of all sides is the decisive factor.

The Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations Marc Pecsteen called on regional and international organisations to take appropriate actions to contribute to the JCPOA implementation, and on relevant parties to avoid actions escalating tensions.
Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, head of Việt Nam’s permanent mission to the UN, reiterated Việt Nam’s consistent support for the disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Resolution 2231, and the JCPOA.

He appealed to the parties concerned to promote negotiations to solve differences, keep fully and effectively implementing Resolution 2231 and the JCPOA, exercise self-restraint and avoid activities that may undermine trust or escalate tensions.

The JCPOA was signed in Vienna (Austria) in 2015 with the participation of Iran and the P5+1, namely the UK, France, the US, Russia, China, and Germany. Under this deal, Tehran has to limit its nuclear weapon development programme in exchange for sanctions relief. — VNS