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Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Omar Hilale, chaired, on Monday in New York, the opening of the 6th session of the Conference on the Establishment of a Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East (November 17-21).
Morocco’s chairmanship of this important conference is a powerful testament to the trust the Kingdom enjoys within the United Nations, and among the countries of the Middle East in particular.
In a pre-recorded message broadcast at the opening of the Conference, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the people of the Middle East deserve stability and peace, noting that the threat of nuclear weapons, and other weapons of mass destruction, is pushing this promise further out of reach.
“A zone free of these scourges would help ease tensions – and prevent the worst-case scenario from ever coming to pass”, he argued, noting that since its first session in 2019, this Conference has been a key component of this global endeavor.
He also stressed the importance of turning this momentum into concrete action, while calling on all states in the region to make it a zone free of all weapons of mass destruction.
The UN chief concluded by urging the international community to give its full support to this process.
Opening the proceedings of this international conference, Ambassador Hilale emphasized that the Moroccan Presidency occurred in a difficult regional context that cannot be ignored, explaining that the region continues to face cascading security challenges, geopolitical complexities, and humanitarian crises “that are testing our collective resolve.” He stated, however, that “it is precisely in these difficult times that diplomacy, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation become not optional, but essential.”
The diplomat also observed that Morocco’s Presidency of this conference was defined by three cardinal principles: inclusivity, transparency, and consensus, which, according to him, constitute the foundations upon which any sustainable and credible zone, free of weapons of mass destruction, must be built.
“Our approach was based on the fundamental conviction that progress, even if gradual, is preferable to paralysis. We favored a gradual approach, advancing step by step, even by millimeters, in order to convince reluctant parties to engage meaningfully in the discussions,” he further explained.
Highlighting the significant milestones and firsts achieved during Morocco’s Presidency of the 6th Conference on the Establishment of a Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East, Ambassador Hilale referred to the first joint statement issued by Morocco on behalf of the Conference members and the organization of the first side event in the Conference’s history, held on the sidelines of the Preparatory Committee for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
He also mentioned the convening, at the invitation of the Kingdom of Jordan, of the third meeting of the Working Committee in Amman in May 2025, marking the first time in the Conference’s history that a Working Committee session has been held outside of New York.
Similarly, Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the UN highlighted the first joint contribution in the Conference’s history to the Comprehensive Study on Nuclear Weapon-Free Zones in all their aspects.
Omar Hilale further invited all members to engage constructively in the deliberations, calling for contentious issues to be addressed in good faith, “seeking common ground rather than highlighting divisions.” He reiterated that even if national positions may differ, the ultimate goal is shared: a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction, where all members can pursue development and prosperity without the shadow of existential threats.
After appealing to observer states to continue their tangible support for this process, the diplomat also affirmed that the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East is not merely a regional aspiration, but a contribution to global peace and security.
In this regard, he underlined that the Moroccan Presidency remains committed to this noble endeavor and ready “to continue facilitating dialogue, bridging differences, and working tirelessly toward our common goal.”
“With patient diplomacy, good faith, and an unwavering commitment to our shared goal, we can and will make significant progress toward a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction,” Ambassador Hilale concluded.
The 6th Conference on the Establishment of a Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East was marked by the participation of the nuclear powers (France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and China), the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, as well as international and non-governmental organizations.
The Middle East Conference is being held pursuant to a 2018 General Assembly decision and derives its mandate from the resolution on the Middle East adopted by the 1995 Conference of the Parties to the NPT, which was tasked with reviewing the Treaty and the question of its extension. The ultimate goal of this Conference is to negotiate a legally binding treaty eliminating nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East region.
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