SecGen welcomes preparations for the conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons – SecGen spokesman statement

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the preparations for the
Conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons
and all other weapons of mass destruction

The facilitator of the Conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction, Mr. Jaako Laajava, Under-Secretary of State of Finland, met yesterday with the Secretary-General to brief him on the preparations and prospects for convening the Conference, which Finland is ready to host in Helsinki in mid-December.

The Secretary-General reaffirms his strong support for Mr. Laajava and welcomes his intensive efforts, including his participation at a meeting in Cairo on 7 October with the senior representatives from the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, the United States, the United Nations, and the League of Arab States Senior Officials Committee.  

The Secretary-General also reaffirms his strong commitment to convene the Conference.   He underlined the importance of the Conference, which is a unique opportunity for all States of the region to collectively enhance their security.   He urges all States of the region to participate in and contribute to a successful Conference.

The Secretary-General welcomes the commitment of the League of Arab States to continue to approach the Conference in a serious and constructive manner and their hope that this enables other States in the region to engage in a similar spirit.

New York, 11 October 2012