Doha: All Arab states are parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and have placed their nuclear facilities under comprehensive safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency; a step Israel has yet to take despite repeated international calls and UN resolutions.
According to Qatar News Agency, Qatar has consistently emphasized, across international forums, the importance of adhering to all agreements and treaties related to nuclear disarmament and weapons of mass destruction. It has reiterated its call for universal accession to such agreements as a means of strengthening international peace and security and safeguarding future generations and ecosystems from the dangers of proliferation.
The State of Qatar continues to update and develop its national legislation related to weapons of mass destruction in line with its treaty obligations. It also cooperates with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, supporting efforts to enhance the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Qatar maintains that armed conflicts must be resolved through peaceful means and dialogue, which it views as the most effective path to preserving international peace and security.
In February, Qatar participated in the high-level segment of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. The country was represented by Jawhara bint Abdulaziz Al Suwaidi, Charge d'Affaires at Qatar's Permanent Mission in Geneva. She stated that the international system is undergoing a critical phase marked by increasing armed conflicts, declining adherence to international law and the UN Charter, rising geopolitical polarization and competition, accelerated nuclear modernization programs, and the integration of emerging technologies into military systems. She also highlighted the growing risks associated with the weaponization of outer space, all of which pose unprecedented challenges to disarmament and non-proliferation frameworks.
Al Suwaidi noted that 2026 represents a pivotal moment for the global nuclear order with the convening of the 11th NPT Review Conference. She stressed that the treaty remains the cornerstone of the non-proliferation regime and a fundamental basis for pursuing nuclear disarmament, emphasizing that disarmament is not merely a political choice but a humanitarian, security, and developmental necessity.
She further underscored that establishing a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction remains an urgent priority for enhancing regional security and stability. Qatar reaffirmed its support for UN-led efforts in this regard, as well as its commitment to the principles and objectives of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and to strengthening international mechanisms aimed at achieving these goals.
The NPT also affirms the right of states to develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, provided they comply with international safeguards to prevent diversion to military use. The treaty complements other international agreements on nuclear weapons, including the 1968 Non-Proliferation Treaty itself, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty adopted in 1996, and regional treaties establishing nuclear-weapon-free zones.