Mr. President, Excellencies   
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Fourteen Member States of the Caribbean Community, (CARICOM). CARICOM aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Non-Aligned Movement.

At the outset, CARICOM congratulates you on your appointment as President of the Eleventh Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We also commend you on your consultative and transparent approach in the conduct in the preparatory meetings leading up to the Conference. We assure you and the Bureau of our full cooperation and support in guiding this Conference toward outcomes that strengthen the Treaty and advance our shared objectives of international peace, security, and sustainable development.

CARICOM reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Treaty on the Non‑Proliferation of nuclear weapons as the cornerstone of the global nuclear disarmament and non‑proliferation regime, and as an essential instrument for the promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We underscore the continued relevance and validity of the Treaty’s three mutually reinforcing pillars: nuclear disarmament, nuclear non‑proliferation, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

CARICOM has a long‑standing and principled position that favors the complete, irreversible, and verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons. Our region has consistently advocated for a world free of nuclear weapons; recognizing that their existence poses detrimental humanitarian and environmental risks, particularly for small island developing states such as ours, which remain acutely vulnerable to the catastrophic consequences of nuclear detonations, whether intentional or accidental.

In this regard, CARICOM expresses deep concern over the continued existence and modernization of nuclear arsenals, the slow pace of progress in fulfilling disarmament obligations, and the increasing risk of nuclear confrontation. We underscore that Article VI of the Treaty constitutes a binding legal obligation on all States Parties to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to nuclear disarmament. CARICOM therefore urges renewed political will and concrete, measurable actions to advance nuclear disarmament in a transparent manner.

CARICOM also recalls its strong support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which complements the NPT by reinforcing the disarmament pillar and placing humanitarian considerations at the center of nuclear disarmament efforts. While recognizing differing views on this instrument, we encourage constructive dialogue aimed at building trust and bridging gaps among States Parties.

Mr. President

On nuclear non‑proliferation, CARICOM underscores the importance of complete compliance with the Treaty and with safeguards obligations. We reaffirm the central role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in verifying compliance and promoting confidence in the peaceful nature of nuclear programmes. CARICOM encourages all States Parties that have not yet done so to conclude and bring into force comprehensive safeguards agreements.

CARICOM further emphasizes that non‑proliferation efforts must not undermine the inalienable right of all States Parties to develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, in accordance with Articles IV and V of the Treaty. Peaceful nuclear applications, when pursued safely and securely, can contribute meaningfully to development, particularly in areas such as medicine, agriculture, water management, and climate resilience and cultural preservation.

In this context, CARICOM highlights the importance of equitable access to peaceful nuclear technology, capacity‑building, and technical cooperation. We call for enhanced international cooperation to support developing countries, in harnessing peaceful nuclear applications, supported by effective safeguards that protect the fragile ecosystems and communities of small island developing states.

Mr. President

As a nuclear‑weapon‑free region under the Treaty of Tlatelolco, the Caribbean continues to demonstrate that regional approaches can play a vital role in strengthening the global non‑proliferation and disarmament architecture. CARICOM reaffirms its commitment to maintaining and strengthening nuclear‑weapon‑free zones and calls upon nuclear‑weapon States to provide unqualified negative security assurances to all such zones.

Finally, CARICOM emphasizes the importance of restoring trust, promoting dialogue, and reinforcing multilateralism in addressing the complex challenges facing the NPT regime. The success of this Review Conference will depend on our shared readiness to engage constructively and to uphold the spirit and letter of the Treaty.

CARICOM stands ready to work with all States Parties to achieve a balanced, forward‑looking outcome that strengthens the Treaty, advance nuclear disarmament, prevents proliferation, and promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy for the benefit of all.

I thank you.