- We thank the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) of the Biological & Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and the UNODA Geneva Branch for convening this virtual workshop in order to promote the BTWC. Russia, being among the founding fathers of the BTWC and one of its depositaries along with the United Kingdom and the United States, attaches high importance to the universalization and the strengthening of the BTWC as well as to the improvement of its implementation. - Since 1975, the BTWC has remained one of the basic pillars of disarmament and international security prohibiting an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. As a collective endeavour it enshrines commitments by its State Parties to promote co-operation for peaceful purposes and provide assistance and protection from biological weapons.

Mr. President, Colleagues, I appreciate the opportunity to address this authoritative forum. 2020 was a difficult year in all respects. It saw a growing destructive trend toward the collapse of the existing international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation regimes, an increasing tension and lack of trust between UN Member States. Unfortunately, the United States continued taking steps to substitute some global "rules-based order" imposed by Washington for international law and the central role of the United Nations. After withdrawing from the JCPOA in 2018 and dismantling the INF Treaty in 2019, the United States decided, in 2020, to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies, thereby undermining international security.

Mr. Chair, First of all, I would like to congratulate you with the election to such a high position in the UN anniversary benchmark year. We wish you success in organizing the work of the current difficult in every respect session of the UN GA First Committee when we all have to work in extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic and related unprecedented restrictions on the activities of the delegations at the UN Headquarters. You can rely on constructive cooperation of the Russian Federation.

We have taken notice of the distortion of facts and open falsifications in the annual report of the US Department of State to Congress, Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments (ACNPD). As in many previous years, Washington is trying to create an impression of responsibility regarding its compliance with the related treaties and agreements. But it is common knowledge that the US administration has actually entered a path of dismantling the international legal framework of the ACNPD, a policy that is undermining global security.

We have taken notice of the distortion of facts and open falsifications in the annual report of the US Department of State to Congress, Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments (ACNPD). As in many previous years, Washington is trying to create an impression of responsibility regarding its compliance with the related treaties and agreements. But it is common knowledge that the US administration has actually entered a path of dismantling the international legal framework of the ACNPD, a policy that is undermining global security. Instead of providing an objective analysis of US compliance with ACNPD agreements, the report, just like all the preceding reports, is focused on other countries. The US administration is applying its traditional tactics of shifting the burden of responsibility onto others in order to divert the attention of the international public from US actions to dismantle the system of ACNPD treaties and agreements which developed over decades. As usual, Washington does not provide any proof of its allegations.

Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues, I would like to begin with expressing gratitude to the UNOG, the CD Secretariat, Ambassadors Sally Mansfield and Robert Müller as well as the entire P6 for their efforts that have allowed us to gather again here at Palais des Nations and resume our plenary meetings. Ambassador Gennady Gatilov, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UNOG, conveys his congratulations upon the resumption of the CD activity. He hopes that we will be able to discuss the agenda issues that are crucial for the international security in a constructive and understanding atmosphere. Now let me touch upon the subject of today session which, in my delegation's opinion, is extremely important for a better understanding of the current situation in arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation as well as for determining the direction we all should be moving in.

Distinguished Mr. President, Allow me also to join those who have congratulated Ms. Tatiana Valovaya in connection with her appointment to the position of Secretary General of the CD and Personal Representative of Secretary General of the United Nations to the CD. We are certain that her guidance will help us in our work. I would also like to join those who have expressed words of gratitude to you Mr. President for your able guidance of the Conference on Disarmament in a difficult period.

Distinguished Mr. President, Allow me also to join those who have congratulated Ms. Tatiana Valovaya in connection with her appointment to the position of Secretary General of the CD and Personal Representative of Secretary General of the United Nations to the CD. We are certain that her guidance will help us in our work. I would also like to join those who have expressed words of gratitude to you Mr. President for your able guidance of the Conference on Disarmament in a difficult period.