FM Gyawali calls for diverting investment in nuclear weapons to people’s security and well-being

Published On: October 3, 2020 12:04 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Oct 3: Stating that the amount spent on nuclear weapons every year is much higher than the official development assistance (ODA) to the neediest and poorest countries, Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has stressed the need for focusing on the security and well-being of people and humanity at large.

Addressing an event organized to commemorate the International Day for the total elimination of nuclear weapons on Friday, Foreign Minister Gyawali said although the scientific race for vaccines has kept our hope alive to win the war against the COVID-19 pandemic, “No vaccine would save us from the nuclear catastrophe. Death, destruction, and devastation would be much more severe, inhumane, and indiscriminate- both for the present and future generations,” he said.

“Despite this, it is ironic that a huge amount is spent on nuclear weapons every year, which is much higher than the official development assistance to the neediest and poorest countries. It is time to reflect on where our investment should be - on nuclear weapons or poverty reduction? On eternal annihilation or environmental conservation?” he asked.

Gyawali said the answer to these questions is to focus on the security and wellbeing of our people and humanity at large. The dividend of disarmament should be diverted to achieving the SDGs. A small fraction of the costs of armament could save millions from hunger and disease; and could supply safe drinking water and basic health services,” he further said.

While stating that the nuclear technology should be harnessed for peaceful purposes of promoting health care, increasing agricultural productivity and saving lives, Minister Gyawali also called for more diplomatic efforts to the protection of environment, trade promotion, and economic development if all countries abide by nuclear disarmament regimes. “I reaffirm Nepal’s principled position that universal peace and security can only be ensured through a time-bound, general and complete disarmament of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction,” he said.

Minister Gyawali also said that Nepal believes that the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the complete disarmament of nuclear weapons are two sides of the same coin. “The world will never be a safer place as long as the specter of nuclear weapons looms large,” he added.