Minister Bendito reaffirms Timor-Leste’s commitment to a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World

DÍLI, 26 September 2026 (TATOLI) – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, participated in the High-Level Plenary Meeting commemorating the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, held during the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The high-level meeting was attended by the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres and the President of the 81st UN General Assembly, Khalilur Rahman who delivered opening remarks underscoring the urgency of advancing global nuclear disarmament.

In his intervention, Minister Bendito reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s principled commitment to nuclear disarmament, international law and effective multilateralism, stressing that lasting security cannot depend indefinitely on the threat of catastrophic destruction.

Minister Bendito called for concrete, transparent and verifiable disarmament measures, stronger implementation of international disarmament instruments and revitalized multilateral negotiations.

Minister Bendito emphasized that reducing nuclear risks is essential, while the ultimate objective must remain the complete, irreversible and verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons.

TATOLI