Holy See: ‘Nuclear deterrence is an illusion’
Addressing the UN Disarmament Commission in New York, the Vatican's Permanent Observer to the UN reaffirms that the logic of deterrence is illusory and calls for the adoption of a binding international treaty to regulate disarmament. artificial intelligence modeled on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
By Lisa Zengarini
Against a backdrop of increasing military spending and growing conflicts across the world, the Holy See has once again reiterated its urgent call to reject nuclear deterrence which offers only an illusion of peace. “Rather than preventing conflicts, the availability of weapons encourages their use and increases their production,” creates distrust and diverts resources, warned Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.
A moral duty
In a statement addressed Monday to the UN Disarmament Commission, the Vatican nuncio reaffirmed that the proliferation, stockpiling and use of weapons make disarmament “a moral duty,” which calls on “all members of the great family of nations to move from a balance of fear to a balance of trust,” the only basis, he said, on which lasting peace can be achieved.
“The illusory logic of deterrence – underlined Archbishop Caccia – is often used to justify the unjustifiable, that is to say the continued possession of nuclear weapons, “any use of which would have catastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequences, which do not distinguish between combatants and non-combatants. fighters.
He therefore reiterated the call of the Holy See urging all States to adhere to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TNW), “thus contributing to the replacement of a negative conception of security with a positive one”.
The treaty, which includes a comprehensive set of prohibitions on participating in any activity relating to nuclear weapons, was adopted by 122 states in 2017.
Need for a legal framework for artificial intelligence
In his statement, Archbishop Caccia also spoke of the urgent need to develop a normative and operational framework regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
In this regard, he reiterated the proposal of the Holy See to consider the establishment of an international agency on AI, while simultaneously urging the global community of nations to work together in order to adopt a binding international treaty that regulates the development and use of artificial intelligence in its many forms modeled on the TPNW.
Such a governance regime, he said, “can help ensure that emerging technologies serve humanity as a whole rather than particular interests.”
Peace is not built with weapons
In conclusion, Archbishop Caccia renewed the incessant call of the Holy See for the weapons to be silenced and to resolutely pursue the path of progressive but complete disarmament, insisting on the fact that “peace cannot be built with weapons, but through patient listening, dialogue and cooperation.” which remain the only means worthy of the human person to resolve disputes.
